Housing Headlines

NEW BEDFORD --- Standard-Times reporter Kathleen McKiernan take a detailed look at how the Section 8 federal housing subsidy program is working in New Bedford (2,200 households use the program) and how the city handles problem properties, landlords and tenants.

PITTSFIELD --- Rees-Larkin Development has secured bond financing to proceed with the $12 million renovation of the 100-unit, 11-building Dalton Apartments. The combination of tax credits and loans will ensure that the apartments will continue to be rented at affordable rates.

MARLBOROUGH --- The city council will allow developers of a 60-unit condo development to pay $450,000 to the city rather than comply with the city's inclusionary zoning ordinance requiring that 15 percent of the unit be sold at an affordable price. The funds will be put into a downtown economic development fund.

BOSTON --- Related Beal's plans to build a $230 million complex with 239 apartments for low- and moderate-income tenants with an adjacent hotel took another step forward last week as the City of Boston approved a tax break for an yet to be disclosed amount.

PLYMOUTH --- A local attorney representing developer Saxon Partners has asked the planning board to consider rezoning Colony Place to allow 240 to 280 apartments to be built behind the commercial property. Attorney Bob Betters told the planning board allowing apartments would fetch twice the tax revenue that a commercial development would bring.

ARLINGTON --- More than 200 residents packed a special selectmen's meeting held to ask questions about Oaktree Development's plans to seek a Ch. 40B permit to build 219 apartments on land in East Arlington owned by the Mugar family.