Housing Headlines

MILTON --- Earlier in May, town meeting approveed a zoning change that would allow the construction of a 92-unit assisted-living facility on Randolph Avenue. Elm Development Services LLC of Longmeadow is seeking to build a 92-unit facility on the site of the former Horseplay Stables. Of the units, 30 would be for people with health issues related to memory loss and five percent of the units would be affordable.

BEVERLY --- Two new housing developments, both within a few blocks of the Beverly commuter rail station, will add a total of 46 new units of affordable housing to the downtown neighborhood. North Shore Veterans Counseling Services will redevelop a former rooming house at 45 Broadway into 14 single rooms. The building will also contain an outreach center, offering drug and alcohol awareness counseling and post-traumatic stress disorder counseling to veterans in the region. Additionally, Windover Construction will transform a former box factory at 60 Pleasant Street into 32 studio apartments.

PEABODY --- The city council has approved a housing plan that is aimed at fending off unwanted multi-family affordable housing developments. The plan, which must be approved by the legislature, identifies areas where so-called "friendly 40Bs" might go.

FRAMINGHAM --- When it comes to dealing with housing developers seeking Ch. 40B comprehensive permits, towns in MetroWest are taking a variety of approaches. For example, while Natick received nearly $2 million in mitigation from AvalonBay Communities to deal with the financial impacts of its Avalon Natick development, Westborough recently approved a new complex that officials say will cost the towns millions each year without any benefit from the developer.

LOWELL, May 10, 2013 --- Three separate authorities began clearing homeless camps from the banks of the Merrimack River early this month, leaving at least some residents with nowhere to go. Some had already left, and others said they expected to be able to stay one more night.

CLEVELAND --- Once filled with middle-class families, the neighborhood where Ariel Castro allegeldy kept three women captive is plagued by abandonment and foreclosures. According to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the block is littered with seven vacant lots and most of the nearly 20 structures on the block look neglected or abandoned. Previous stories have indicated that Castro's home at 2207 Seymour Ave. was in foreclosure due to non-payment of taxes.