Housing Headlines

AMHERST --- Four Amherst families can remain in their homes for a few more months after a housing court judge ruled that the new owner of Echo Bridge Apartments did not properly issue them eviction notices. Echo Bridge was sold earlier this year and the new owner is in the process of raising rents beyond what some families can afford with their Section 8 vouchers. Some residents have moved out but others have filed suit in an attempt to remain in their homes.

WASHINGTON, D.C. --- Matthew Yglesias, Slate's business and economics writer, pokes fun at the D.C. area's zoning requirements, which often mandate that single-family homes have yards far bigger than consumers like him really want.

MELROSE --- A proposal was recently submitted to the city's Planning Board for plans to turn a vacant lot on Washington Street into a 94-unit apartment complex. Located less than a quarter-mile away from the Oak Grove T station, the 2 Washington Street project would consist of 94 units, 132 parking spaces and 2,200 square feet of ground level retail space. Of the 94 units, 9 would be designated as affordable housing. A special meeting to discuss the proposal will be held on Monday, Sept. 9 at 7:45 p.m.

WAREHAM --- Following a state review that found "several areas of concern" in the management of the Wareham Housing Authority, the WHA has hired a Dedham-based consultant to manage its two subsidized housing projects.

NORWOOD --- The Finley family's plans to turn their 7.82 acre site into 298-unit Ch. 40R smart growth apartment complex met with stiff opposition as neighbors packed a recent selectman's meeting and presented a petition with 195 signatures from residents who oppose the project.

EASTON --- Approved by the town in 2008 but stalled due to the economy, the 280-unit, mixed-use Queset Commons 40R development is back on track, with the assisted-living component now out and the first phase calling for 98 apartments, 25 percent of the them affordable. In negotiating with the town, developer Douglas A. King Builders Inc. agreed to fund $2 million in public improvements that include eight acres of open space, renovation of a fire station, 50,000 gallons per day of reserved capacity for the town in the project's wastewater plant, intersection improvements, funding of a clean water information campaign and construction of walking trails to town land. The town estimates the project could net $1.8 million in revenue over the next 10 years.