Housing Headlines

NORTHAMPTON --- The proposed $20 million redevelopment of the Northampton Lumber site won two major approvals recently as both the planning board and the Central Business Architecture Committee OK'd plans to knock down existing buildings and replace it with 55 affordable rental homes and 5,300 square feet of commercial space. The approval clears the way for the developer, Valley CDC, to seek a Community Preservation Act grant that would enable them to seek low-income tax credit funding from the state.

NEWTON --- Developers of a proposed 135-unit apartment Ch. 40B complex on Rowe Street have challenged the city's assertion that it has met an affordable housing threshold of having more than 1.5 percent of its developable land being used for affordable housing.

PROVINCETOWN --- Following last month's passage by the House of Representatives, Gov. Deval Patrick in one of his last acts as leader of the state signed a law that will allow the town to put on its tax bills a box that will allow taxpayers to make a voluntary donation to the town for affordable housing.

BELMONT --- Last month, the planning board has approved design changes for Cushing Village, a mixed-use, three-building development that will feature 115 units housing. It is being proposed by Smith Legacy Partners for Trapelo Road and Common Street.

SALEM --- The city's Point Neighborhood has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places, a designation that could mean millions in historic tax credit investment that could be used to preserve historic buildings that now serve as affordable homes to much of the city's Latino population.

QUINCY --- Tenants of a Copeland Street 33-bed rooming house, who are being displaced by a planned sober house for women, are still looking for an affordable place to live.