Housing Headlines

AMHERST --- The town has selected the Way Finders Inc. to develop two sites into 70 affordable apartments. The Springfield non-profit has been selected to redevelop the East Street School site into 29 apartments and a 2.6 acre site on nearby Belchertown Road into 40 apartments. This site was purchased by the town with $825,000 Community Preservation Act and affordable housing trust funds.

HOLYOKE --- A city report released earlier this year found that a cooperative effort by departments for the City of Holyoke have stabilized 60 of 74 properties that were identified as distressed when the joint effort was launched in 2015. "What the Holyoke Property Preservation Group has achieved is a clear example of why it’s important for local governments to think outside the box,” said Mayor Joshua Garcia. “Our cross-departmental collaboration has resolved many properties that have been a nuisance for a very long time."

HARWICH --- Six new homes being built on Murray Lane in Harwich are the latest examples of Habitat for Humanity's emphasis on energy efficiency. Cape Habitat's track record includes building the most energy efficient Habitat homes in the U.S., including three that are producing more energy they are using, according to Bob Ryley, Cape Habitat's construction director.

WORCESTER --- Repeating what he hinted at in his inaugural address last month, Worcester Mayor Joseph M. Petty told the council that it's time the city partner with the housing authority on a new development, given that the last new development was built 30 years ago and because the housing authority waiting list is 20,000.

IPSWICH --- Concerned about the impact recent developments have had on the town, the Select Board has OK'd a proposal to enact a two-year moratorium on multifamily developments of three units or more so the town can develop a master plan. Under the proposal, single-family houses would still be allowed, as would single-family subdivisions and accessory apartment conversions. Voters will have the final say on the proposal at May 10 Town Meeting.

BOSTON --- Writing for Commonwealth Magazine, Boston Foundation President and CEO Lee Pelton calls the new multifamily zoning requirement for MBTA communities a "remarkable first step" and urges citizens and leaders to hold communities accountable and add funding to the mix so more low-income renters and homebuyers can enjoy living near transit.