Housing Headlines

In a regional report for Gatehouse newspapers, reporter Gerry Tuoti finds that the debate over the value of the Ch. 40B housing law is one of control, with housing advocates saying it's a useful tool in getting communities to participate in addressing housing issues while municipal representatives say the law takes too much control away from communities.

AMHERST --- Town meeting voters OK'd a measure allowing the town to seek permission from the state to grant up to 10 years of property tax relief to developers who provide affordable housing but failed to provide the two-thirds margin necessary to back an overhaul of the town's inclusionary zoning bylaw.

WILLIAMSTOWN --- Developers with Mitchell Properties say the long anticipated $61 million revitalization of Cable Mills into 61 apartments is progressing smoothly and the project is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

QUINCY --- Patriot Ledger reporter Chris Burrell takes an in-depth look at why so many working class families are struggling with housing costs and rents, which have risen 62 percent in the northeast since 2002.

FOXBORO --- In a letter to the town's zoning board of appeals, Rep. Jay Barrows, R-Mansfield, said The Hanover Company's plan to seek a 40B permit to build a 248 apartments is too big for the neighborhood and surrounding towns.

BOSTON --- The city's Public Facilities Commission has given the green light to two redevelopment projects along the new Fairmount MBTA commuter rail corridor. At 65 East Cottage St. in Uphams Corner, the city has chosen Dorchester Bay Economic Development Corp. to redevelop the old Maxwell Box Company site into a 92-unit mix of affordable rental units and condos. Further down the line along Cummins Highway in Mattapan, the city has chosen a trio of non-profit partners led by Carribean Integration Community Development Corp. to redevelop the former Cote Ford car dealership site into 70 units of housing for working families.