Housing Headlines

AGAWAM --- Neighbors are concerned that an affordable housing complex may be built on a 12.5 acres farm in their neighborhood after learning that it has been purchased by HAP Housing, a Springfield-based nonprofit. But a HAP official attending a neighborhood meeting insisted that the type of housing to be built has not been determined yet.

WORCESTER – The Worcester Housing Authority this week was awarded more than $336,000 for its federal self-sufficiency program – the highest tally of any city statewide. The money will be used to support WHA’s Family Self-Sufficiency Program – a federally-funded program that helps people achieve goals and get better jobs. Called FSS, it is similar to WHA’s more intense “A Better Life” program, but, unlike “A Better Life,” it is voluntary, with no threat of eviction.

GRAFTON --- Residents filled a Grafton Selectmen's meeting recently to voice their opposition to a developer's plan to build 54 units with a Ch. 40B permit, saying the project would increase congestion, traffic, school crowding, tax burdens, and degrade the neighborhood.

WESTPORT --- For the second time in six years, police have discovered dead or dying animals, makeshift cabins and people living in small lots on a 70-acre property reportedly owned by a local man who charges cash for people to live there.

EASTHAM --- The ongoing saga of whether the former Rt. 6 driving range will be developed or not took another turn this week as developer Richard Hayden of the Stratford Capital Group has backed off plans to build 110 units on the full 10-acre site, instead proposing to do 50 affordable tax credit units on six acres in partnership with the nonprofit Cape-based Community Development Partnership.

SPRINGFIELD --- By an 11-1 vote, the city council voted on Monday, July 19, to place before the voters a question on whether there should be a local tax surcharge of 1.5 percent to raise approximately $1 million annually to support historic preservation, open space and affordable housing. If approved by voters, Springfield would join more than 160 communities to have CPA.