Housing Headlines

WORCESTER --- In a special report, the Telegram's Elaine Thompson documents the journey of a homeless family from Lynn that was placed in a Worcester hotel because it was the only place that could handle a family with nine children. Thompson reports that the family - whose father commutes to his job in Lynn every day - is among 1,503 homeless families that the state has placed in motel rooms as of Feb. 12. While the numbers are high, especially at a public cost of $3,000 per family, Thompson reports that numbers have declined over the past few months due to the state's focus on stopping the practice of placing needy families in motels.

LITTLETON --- Despite persistent abutter concerns voiced throughout the public hearing process, the town's zoning board of appeals has granted a Ch. 40B comprehensive permit to Omni Propeties so it can develop 190 apartments that will also include an onsite wastewater treatment plant and a $1.2 million payment to the town for sewer easements.

LINCOLN --- Selectman are discussing whether to support a town meeting article that would transfer the ownership of six affordable housing units from the town to its affordable housing trust. The move would transfer the liability of the units from the town to the trust and allow more flexibility and efficiency for maintenance and repair, article proponents say.

MATTAPAN --- Over 100 residents attended a housing fair recently sponsored by Mattapan United's Housing Action Group. Attendees received information on a number of topics, including section 8, how to stay current on mortgages and avoid foreclosure and ways to save money by making homes more energy eifficient. Participants in the fair included Metropolitan Boston Housing Partnership (MBHP), NSTAR, Renew Boston, ABCD Housing and Foreclosure Prevention Department, CFS Realty, and Citizens Bank.

MARTHA'S VINEYARD --- One of the island's town accountants says that local Community Preservation Act funds put into an affordable housing fund to help lower-income homebuyers may have instead have been used for other purposes, such as organizational costs.

NORTH ANDOVER - Following a request for proposal that attracted only one developer, selectmen say they are remaining open-minded about Coalition for a Better Acre's plan to redevelop the former Bradstreet School site. The Lowell-based nonprofit has proposed to tear down the building and replace it with a two-story building that will feature first-floor commercial space and 24 affordable rental apartments on the second floor.