Housing Headlines

WESTPORT --- With rehabilitating affordable homes and keeping them on the town's subsidized inventory a top priority, the Westford Affordable Housing Trust Fund is working with the town to seek approval from the state to resume the town's housing rehabilitation program.

ACTON --- While residents are reacting negatively to a Ch. 40B proposal for a historic 2.7 acre lot on Elm St. near an elementary school, the town's nonprofit housing corporation is working with the developer to come up with an alternative plan that could work better for the neighborhood.

NEWTON --- The city's zoning board of appeals could vote on a Ch. 40B permit application to build 135 units in Auburndale in October after the developer declined to alter the project or make any further presentations at a public hearing on Aug. 20.

SOUTHBOROUGH --- Having struggled to find a tenant to farm the land their family has farmed for decades, the Capasso family has signaled its willingness to work with the town on developing its 28-acre property for affordable housing.

SHERBORN --- In an article submitted to local newspapers, the Sherborn Citizens Action Committee said that a 36-unit Ch. 40B cluster development proposed by Trask Development for six acres of a 17-acre property on Washington St. represents significant health and safety risks for the town and nearby Holliston. SCAC did agree on the needs and benefits of affordable housing in town for elderly, veterans, handicapped citizens and workers but said this project is too dense.

NORWOOD --- With its two-year safe harbor from Ch. 40Bs set to end on Sept. 4, town officials believe two land purchases of 83 acres for conservation purposes means that 1.5 percent of its "developable" land is being used for affordable housing and that the fulfillment of this state requirement will allow it to continue to have greater control over Ch. 40B applications. Norwood's land calculations are subject to review by the state.