Housing Headlines

A housing bill sponsored by Rep. Kevin Honan "offers a glance at what a solution to the housing crisis gripping the United States is likely to look like," writes Matthew Yglesias, who writes about economics and housing policy for Vox.com.

SOMERVILLE --- While holding off on a vote as they wait for more information, aldermen appear poised to pass an inclusionary housing ordinance that is more in line with residents’ proposal requiring 20 percent of all new residential development in the city be affordable than recommendations made by the planning board that only called for that percentage for large projects. (Somerville Journal)

BOSTON --- Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse joined Gov. Charlie Baker to testify on behalf of the governor's economic development bill. Morse testified on the impact of previous state support from the MassWorks program, which includes funds for utility work in the pending revitalization of Lyman Terrace public housing.

WORCESTER - With affordable housing restrictions set to expire by 2020 for 2,618 units at 18 privately owned properties throughout the city, discussions have begun with the property owners to try to preserve their affordable housing status. (Worcester Telegram).

EASTHAM --- Selectman will soon put out another proposal hoping to attract a developer who would build up to 132 units of affordable rental housing on 11.2 acres the town bought 15 years ago. (Cape Cod Times).

WORCESTER --- After concluding that converting the former Notre Dame church into a hotel or a performing arts center would prove too costly, developers of the downtown $565 million mixed-use CitySquare project say they will ask the city if they can demolish the 87-year-old church, once the grandest of the four French Canadian churches in the city.