Housing Headlines

FALL RIVER --- The ZBA recently granted a variance allowing 26 additional two-bedroom units to be added to a planned 103-unit senior housing project at the former North East Knitting Mill site. In addition to the 26 units, the project will consist of 81 two-bedroom and 26 one-bedroom units in the first phase of development. At least 80 percent of the units will be occupied by one person age 62 or older. No information was available about the construction start timing.

ACTON --- The Acton Housing Authority (AHA) recently announced the new construction of 12 affordable family units on Sachem Way. The project, McCarthy Village II, will be certified under the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) for Homes program. Units will be completed and ready for occupancy this summer.

WILLIAMSTOWN -- A panel discussing affordable housing, land use and residents of the Spruces mobile home park who where displaced from Tropical Storm Irene attracted a large audience of residents recently. The debate centers on whether the town should relocate the Spruces residents to a less flood-prone site like the Lowry Property, a former farm that some in town would like to keep as open space.

WORCESTER - The Worcester Housing Authority is implementing a program aimed at helping residents get out of public housing by bumping people up on the waiting list for housing if they agree within their lease to be employed or attend school full time.

FITCHBURG --- Officials recently gathered to celebrate the renovation of a formerly blighted property into seven units of affordable family housing. Twin Cities Community Development Corporation, a local non-profit developer, acquired the 1900s-era building in June 2010 and began rehabilitating the structure in January. The units rent for $600 to $750 per month for two and three-bedroom apartments.

HOPKINTON --- Selectmen delayed taking a vote on whether to support a proposal by Mill Creek Residential to build 280 apartments, some commercial space and a parking lot for the town's buses on land near Rt. 495. The parking lot would enable the town to stop renting space for its buses in nearby Ashland and developers said the savings would offset the cost of the estimated 35 children that would be added to the school system.