Housing Headlines

KINGSTON --- The town is beginning to see some units from its 12-year-old inclusionary zoning bylaw as a local builder has bought and renovated three homes for residents who qualify for affordable housing. The builder opted to create the affordable units off site from his development, which is an option under the town's bylaw.

NORWELL --- More than two-thirds of Town Meeting voters chose to transfer the former police station site to the town's Community Housing Trust for an affordable housing complex rather than sell the land for $1 to the American Legion or put the property out to bid.

WORCESTER - Nearly 400 families living in state-subsidized apartments managed by the Worcester Housing Authority will soon be required to meet work or school requirements to avoid eviction - a smaller-scale version of a sweeping change quashed by the federal government last year.

LEVERETT --- The small town of Leverett - located just north of Amherst - has voted at Town Meeting to use $160,000 in Community Preservation Act funds to assist low-income buyers purchase homes.

NEWTON --- In a recent budget address, Newton Mayor Setti Warren urged aldermen to take advantage of the state's 40R smart growth zoning law to create districts near public transportation that would allow for multi-family and mixed-use projects.

ARLINGTON --- The Housing Corporation of Arlington took to the streets recently for its 14th annual walk for affordable housing and raised close to $50,000 while also honoring a board member and past president who passed away in 2013.