Housing Headlines

VINEYARD HAVEN --- The Martha's Vineyard Commission has determined that a proposed six-unit affordable rental housing development next to a super market in the the busy Five Corners intersection in Vineyard Haven would not contribute to traffic problems or have other adverse affects on the community.

DANVERS --- In a bid to bring more bustle to downtown streets, Danvers officials are pursuing changes that could entice property owners in the area to include a mix of housing and businesses in their buildings. The town has hired the Metropolitan Area Planning Council to help develop zoning changes that would allow mixed-use developments in the town center, with a particular goal of adding housing to the vacant floors above downtown stores.

AUSTIN --- Former Somerville resident Maria Massello, whose family dates back four generations in the city, writes about how rising prices in her beloved city forced her and her family to make the toughest decision of their lives - leave the place they love for a more affordable lifestyle in Austin.

ASHLAND --- About 50 residents attended a zoning board of appeals meeting on July 23 to voice their concerns over Southborough-based Capital Group Propertes' pursuit of Ch. 40B permit to build 140 units of rental housing on West Valentine St.

BEDFORD --- Eight months after a public meeting and a vow by state Rep. Ken Gordon that he would work with the state to find permanent homes for homeless famlies placed in a Bedford hotel, the number of homeless families living in town has dropped from 90 to 24. Aaron Gornstein, the state's Undersecretary for Housing, explained that the increase in homeless families placed in Bedford and other communities was due to a spike in homelessness late last year but in the last several months, dozens of families have been moved from the Bedford Plaza Hotel into affordable housing.

BOSTON --- The condo trustees of the high-rise Harbor Towers have issued an 11-page letter to the BRA and Mayor Martin J. Walsh stating that the two-towerproposal put forth by developer Donald Chiofaro is too big for the waterfront site.