Housing Headlines

LOWELL --- A Westford Street building that once housed Paige Pharmacy has been transformed by the Caleb Group into 10 affordable one-bedroom apartments for young men transitioning out of the state's foster care program.

DEVENS -- A development team from Lexington could soon begin drafting plans to turn 35 acres at the former Fort Devens military base into 120 new housing units. MassDevelopment, the state agency that controls the Devens redevelopment, voted recently to negotiate an agreement with Evergreen Village Collaborative, a Lexington-based team that includes developers, builders and designers. The group has proposed to build a "walkable neighborhood" project with 40 large and small single-family homes, 40 duplex and townhome units and 40 rental apartments,

NORWELL --- Selectmen are considering sending a letter to Gov. Deval Patrick outlining their opposition to the state's affordable housing law after the town's zoning board of appeals OK'd a Ch. 40B permit for a 126-unit project on 17.5 acres known as Simon Hill.

CENTERVILLE --- Lack of interest in applying to buy an affordable home built by Habitat for Humanity has Cape Cod housing advocates wondering whether there's a stronger need for rental or if better outreach is needed to make more people aware of these homeownership opportunities.

BROOKLINE --- Brookline officials and residents are concerned that the proposed 192-unit expansion of Hancock Village will add sigfnicant amounts of school children and impact how stormwater drains into adjoining neighborhoods. Chestnut Hill Realty has proposed to build 28 four-bedroom apartments, 28 three-bedroom apartments, 70 two-bedroom apartments and 56 one-bedroom apartments.

BOSTON --- Governor Deval Patrick today announced over $73 million in affordable housing resources and tax credits for projects in 17 communities across the state. The $73.6 million investments includes over $14.8 million in federal low-income housing tax credits, $7.8 million in state low-income housing tax credits and $5.1 million in state and federal housing program subsidies. Of the 1,145 units preserved or created, 1,084 will be affordable to low- and moderate-income households, with 228 units reserved for extremely low-income families, including those making the transition from homelessness.