Housing Headlines

AMHERST --- A rundown former repair garage and trucking terminal is on its way to being redeveloped into 30 market-rate and affordable condominiums thanks to a $1.25 million loan from the state's Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation (CEDAC). The loan is going to the nonprofit Valley Community Development, which plans to make two-thirds of the homes affordable to low- and moderate-income homebuyers.

DORCHESTER --- The developers of the Olmsted Green development on the old Boston State Hospital along Harvard Street in Mattapan will soon file plans for an intergenerational affordable housing community: six new buildings with 265 apartments and condos - including one building that would have 20 apartments for families with foster or adopted kids and 40 apartments for seniors who would agree to provide support. Plans also include a shuttle bus to and from the Forest Hills MBTA station.

TEWKSBURY--The Select Board okayed $500,000 to veterans housing nonprofit Soldier On to build 21 units of affordable housing for veterans at 1660 Main St. This is in addition to an original $350,000 request. The allocation amounts to about 10 percent of the total affordable housing trust fund balance.

NEWBURYPORT --- City Council has voted to transfer $230,000 in Community Preservation Act funding to the Affordable Housing Trust, a noteworthy move because Newburyport is obligated to spend 10 percent of its CPA funding on affordable housing. While $30,000 would be used to update the city's housing production plan, $200,000 would be put in reserve for future development.

WORCESTER --- The Worcester Housing Authority expects to begin construction in September on a housing development as part of a program to address homelessness. The building at 38 Lewis Street will offer 24 fully furnished studio units. The program, dubbed 'A Place to Live,' is designed to provide safe housing with a range of educational and supportive services to homeless individuals.

JAMAICA PLAIN --- The nonprofit, Hyde Square Task Force, current owner of Blessed Sacrament Church, has a tentative deal with developer Pennrose to convert the church into mixed-income housing and a community space. Supporters anticipate the project chipping away at Boston's housing crisis and lifting up the neighborhood’s burgeoning Afro-Latino arts scene. Blessed Sacrament has stood empty for years.