Housing Headlines

NORWOOD --- In an effort to gain control over Ch. 40B developments by proving that 1.5 percent of its developable land is being used for affordable housing, the town's 1.5 Percent Task Force is seeking land donations so it can convert private land to public land, thus reducing the amount of land that would be considered developable.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.