Housing Headlines

CHELSEA --- Long tarnished by its economic woes which landed it in state receivership in the 1990s, Chelsea seems be on a continual rebound given its close proximity to Boston. Latest evidence is the availability of nine micro unit condos ranging from 285 to 445 square feet. The asking price begins at $200,000.

BEDFORD - The VA hospital recently celebrated the groundbreaking of an affordable housing development for veterans in Bedford. Located on a four-acre parcel on the VA hospital's campus, the development will consist of 70 affordable units for veterans with a priority given to veterans 55 and older. The complex is expected to open in spring 2016.

DORCHESTER --- About 100 people attended a public meeting to ask the Boston Redevelopment Authority and developer Demetrios Dasco's plans to transform a group of parcels along Dorchester Ave. into a mixed-use development featuring 429 housing units in a mix of rentals, condominiums, and affordable housing; roughly 73,000 square feet of retail space; and up to 450 parking spaces. Known as the DOT Block development, developers say the cost is currently between $100and $150 million.

WASHINGTON --- The Supreme Court ruled 5-4 Thursday that federal housing law allows people to challenge lending rules, zoning laws and other housing practices that have a harmful impact on minority groups, even if there is no proof that companies or government agencies intend to discriminate. In upholding the tactic, the high court preserved a legal strategy that has been used for more than 40 years to attack discrimination in zoning laws, occupancy rules, mortgage lending practices and insurance underwriting.

BOSTON --- In a recent op-ed piece in Banker & Tradesman, B'nai B'rith Executive Director Susan Gittelman discusses the merits of House and Senate bills aimed at streamlining regulations for communities that want to build more housing.

PROVINCETOWN --- Town Planner Gloria McPherson has warned selectmen that trying to claim safe harbor from Ch. 40B permits by proving that 1.5 percent of the town's developable land is used for affordable housing may discourage other developers and prevent the town from reaching its affordable housing goals.