Housing Headlines

PEABODY --- City councilors are calling on the city’s zoning board to require all 40B developments to provide affordable units in perpetuity, rather than a minimum of 30 years as the board has allowed for multiple projects. The council voted to send a letter to the ZBA urging the board to request affordable housing in perpetuity from 40B developers, noting city councilors don’t have the jurisdiction to control that board’s actions.

WESTFIELD --- The Community Preservation Committee voted to fund the entire $410,000 to turn the historical Old Town Hall at 20 Broad Street into 18 affordable housing units for veterans. A request for initial funding of $150,000 was made by Domus, Inc., an affordable housing organization and development consultant Michael Cucchiara. After discussion at the meeting the committee voted to fund the entire $410,000, out of $575,000 currently available in CPA funds restricted for affordable housing.

STATE --- As the state considers the governor’s proposed Affordable Homes Act, a group of 16 western Massachusetts legislators are advocating for amendments to meet housing needs in their region. Those who signed a bipartisan letter had concerns about the real estate transfer fee, as it is written. “As it is rendered, it will not help western Massachusetts communities because the threshold is too high,” the letter states.

LYNN --- More than $2.2 million has been invested to increase affordable housing opportunities in Lynn since the city created the Affordable Housing Trust Fund in 2022. City Council approved an ordinance in June of 2022 establishing the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, which, in tandem with an inclusionary zoning policy, is designed to provide the city tools to address the critical issue of housing affordability.

SWAMPSCOTT --- The Westcott, the 114-unit 40B apartment complex on Essex Street, is on track to open in the middle of 2025 after WinnCompanies said it secured $69.1 million in necessary financing. It will include 16 apartments at 30 percent of AMI, 62 apartments at 60 percent of AMI, 16 "middle-income" or "workforce housing" apartments for those earning up to 110 percent of AMI and 20 units at market rates. Developers say residents will receive a variety of transit-oriented amenities.

STATE --- The Boston area's 12 rapid transit communities approved new zoning plans to comply with the state's housing law ahead of the Dec. 31 deadline. Braintree, Brookline, Cambridge, Chelsea, Everett, Malden, Medford, Milton, Newton, Quincy, Revere and Somerville said yes. The communities will allow for a combined capacity of over 83,000 units.