Housing Headlines

HYANNIS --- State Rep. Brian Mannal, D-Barnstable, used the words "disturbing and eye-opening," after touring three homeless camps around Hyannis with Barnstable Police Chief Paul MacDonald and members of the department's community impact unit. Police said some of the camps, which are near schools, will be dismantled next week.

SALEM --- Three development companies have submitted bids to the city's Redevelopment Authority regarding the redevelopment of the old district courthouse into a mix of residences and retail for the downtown. The SRA is expected to review all proposals this week and render a decision by Sept. 11.

JAMAICA PLAIN --- Citing increased costs, developer Anthony Nader has told neighborhood groups and the Boston Redevelopment Authority that he would build 32 affordable units off site rather than include them in his proposed 195-unit apartment building at 104A South Huntington Ave.

JAMAICA PLAIN --- Despite a neighborhood group's insistence that any new housing be 100 percent affordable, the Boston Redevelopment Authority voted 3-2 to approve developers Dan Mangiacotti and Paul Iantosca's plan to build 76 apartments - 18 affordable - at 3200 Washington St. The building will replace an abandoned six-unit building that has drawn police attention for illicit parties and squatters.

BOSTON --- While real estate agents marketing luxury apartments are now offering a month or two of free rent and other concessions, that's not the case for the so-called "broad middle" of the rental market, where the market is tight for two-bedroom renting for $2,500 or less, according to a story written by the Boston Globe's Tim Logan.

DORCHESTER --- The rising real estate market is making Dorchester less affordable, with for-sale home prices up 32 percent since 2010 and the rent for a two-bedroom now up to $2,200, according to a report in the Dorchester Reporter. Real estate watchers are split on whether Dorchester is becoming the next Southie - typified by higher density apartment buildings, rising rents and more young professionals.