Housing Headlines

SOMERVILLE --- Aldermen are charging the city's planning department with watering down a proposed affordable housing law that is designed to add affordable units. The city's planner has suggested a change that would absolve smaller property owners from the law if their rehab projects aren't adding or subtracting affordable units but aldermen say the new language will create loopholes that will hurt the city's attempt to add affordable units.

WORCESTER --- In an effort to help residents move on from public housing, the Worcester Housing Authority (WHA) and the Chamber of Commerce have announced an initiative that would encourage the chamber's 2,500 members to hire public housing residents who are enrolled in the Better Life Program, a life and work skills program run by the WHA.

BERLIN --- A groundbreaking was recently held for the third and fourth phases of the Riverbridge Village development. These two phases consist of a 105-room hotel and a 205-unit multifamily housing component. Of the 205 housing units, both condo and rental, 21 will be designated as affordable rental apartments.

BOSTON --- The Allston-Brighton Community Development Corp. held a community meeting Saturday to discuss the growing impact of students in their neighborhoods. According to Valerie Frias, associate director at Allston-Brighton CDC, the percentage of housing in the area occupied by someone other than the owner rose from 68 to 75 percent over the last two years.

NEWTON --- A group of Newton alderman are pressing forward with a proposal to put a one-year ban on residential tear downs and many home additions that they feel are ruining the look of the city.

HANOVER --- The developer of a 130-unit condo complex off Rt. 53 would pay $200,000 to the town in lieu of constructing affordable units and to mitigate concerns over increased traffic along that highway.