Housing Headlines

POCASSET --- Cape Cod mobile homeowners are in a legal battle against Crown Communities, LLC, which owns and operates 17 other mobile home parks. Crown Communities is trying to buy the homeowners’ land in Pocasset and residents are fighting it. Both sides are scheduled for a August 15, court date at Barnstable Superior Court where Crown is suing both the homeowners association that formed to buy the mobile home park and the current owner, claiming that Crown is the rightful buyer.

BOSTON --- The Baker administration has pared back the multifamily zoning required of many communities along and around the MBTA system after smaller towns complained of a one-size-fits-all approach to interpreting a new housing law. Some communities had criticized the proposed “MBTA Communities” rules, which mandate new multifamily zoning in some 175 cities and towns across eastern Massachusetts, issued by the state Executive Office of Housing & Economic Development. They expressed fears of being overwhelmed by development that could cripple their waste water systems, roads, schools, or other critical municipal services. In the final rules issued Wednesday, the agency takes a more nuanced approach, particularly trimming requirements for smaller towns with no train stations.

A Lynn resident's struggles illustrate that even a $200 rent increase can be catastrophic for Massachusetts’ poorest residents. Mother of three, Olga Valiente says she can barely manage her $1,900 a month rent, which her landlord has increased to $2,100. Her predicament is a reminder that, for the most economically vulnerable Massachusetts residents, even small increases in the cost of living can be catastrophic — no matter how reasonable the bottom line might look from the outside. Her case also casts doubt on the notion that production alone can solve the housing crisis in Massachusetts.

The state has struggled to craft clear guidelines for ‘in-law units’ and ‘granny flats’ that some call the ‘low-hanging fruit’ of housing policy.. Efforts to legalize ADUs statewide have fizzled on Beacon Hill, most recently last week, when a promising amendment died with the economic development bill. That leaves regulations up to cities and towns, creating a patchwork of local rules that developers say is nearly impossible to navigate at scale. As the state continues to wrestle with a deep housing crisis, the few that have popped up have already proved their worth.

During a panel discussion, Acting City Manager Eric Batista spoke of the city's commitment to “Housing First” solutions and providing robust wraparound services, including the Aurora Apartments on Main Street being renovated into 85 affordable housing units in the city, with 55 of the studios reserved for individuals making 60% or less of the area median income and the remaining 30 reserved for individuals making less than 30% of the area media income; the proposed creation of 28 efficiency units on 38 Lewis Street and 21 units of tiny houses at 268 Stafford Street.

SALEM --- The city has announced that it will use $9.5 million in federal pandemic relief funds for affordable housing, including $5 million earmarked directly for new construction. Additional uses include $1 million for accessory dwellings, $1 million for affordable housing energy efficiency, $1 million for the housing trust fund and $100,000 for a pilot program that would examine ways the city could have the right of first chance to purchase buildings with affordable units before they can be sold to developers.