Housing Headlines

SOUTH HADLEY --- While noting that he supports the state's housing law known as Ch. 40B, Rep. John Scibak said in a public forum he is working with other legislators on changes to the law to stop the practice of developers threatening to build larger projects with 40B so that towns will accept smaller proposals.

ANDOVER --- Residents fighting two major senior housing developments will be going before Town Meeting this spring to propose three zoning bylaw amendments aimed at better controlling the location and size of assisted living developments.

PROVINCETOWN --- Despite an emotional plea from a proponent that the lack of affordable housing in town was an act of "essentially committing community suicide," most attending a public discussion were against transferring $1.6 million in Land Bank funds into the CPA fund so it can be used for affordable housing.

SUDBURY --- Selectmen are considering writing a letter to Raytheon suggesting that the company's property be used for affordable housing after it leaves next year. Local officials said the Raytheon property is key to the town's efforts to reach the state's affordable housing requirement and that they would prefer that the housing be rental and for seniors, so the site wouldn't add more school children to its "overburdened" school system.

SOMERVILLE --- City officials have agreed to help fund a $9 million plan to turn the 1.4 acre Mystic Valley Water Works property into 25 one-bedroom units for financially insecure and homeless residents. The city's housing trust recently voted unanimously to spend as much as $500,000 to support the project and more support is expected through funds raised through the Community Preservation Act.

BOSTON --- To cope with the city's growing need for senior affordable housing, the Boston Housing Authority is planning to file a request asking the federal government to up its required ratio of seniors in elderly-disabled housing from 70 to 80 percent.