Housing Headlines

BOSTON --- Gov. Charlie Baker has signed a law creating a 15-member rural policy commission to help small towns across Massachusetts deal with common issues small towns face on such issues as economic development, health and housing. The measure was pitched by Rep. Dan Kulik and Dan Wolf following a year-long process of discussions and public meetings of a steering committee convened by the Massachusetts Housing Partnership.

BARNSTABLE --- While packing his moving van, freelance writer Jeff Harder articulates why he, his wife and so many other young people are leaving the Cape. This story illustrates why MHP worked with rural and Cape leaders for over a year on what could be done to address the cost of housing and stem the loss of people young and old. This resulted in Gov. Baker okaying a rural policy commission.

SOMERVILLE --- In an effort to help younger residents remain in the city, a working group is considering changes to the city's housing policy that would give low-income residents financial assistance when buying properties and increase the number of smaller housing units in the city. No funding source has been identified yet. The city currently distributes almost $500,000 per year to support similar programs for tenants, using federal and state grants, city funds and Community Preservation Act funds.

GLOUCESTER --- In one of three scheduled community meetings to discuss plans to redevelop the former Cameron's Restaurant into affordable housing, two nonprofit organizations which hope to buy and redevelop the site said their plans include ground-floor retail space with 30 to 40 apartments on the upper floors. Action Inc. and Salem-based North Shore Community Development Coalition have secured a purchase and sale to buy the building. Their plan is to raze it and seek financing from the state to develop affordable apartments on the upper floors.

NORTON --- In his regular commentary for the Attleboro Sun, columnist Bill Gouveia - who is also the Norton town moderator - argues that the 188-unit Ch. 40B development currently under construction is just what the town needs.

GREAT BARRINGTON --- The town's zoning board of appeals is continuing to hold hearings on whether to grant a nonprofit developer a Ch. 40B permit so that an 11-unit affordable housing development can be built on a 12-acre parcel on State Road. Previously, the selectmen, planning board and board of health have all voted to support the project.