Housing Headlines

SALEM --- After many discussions with the city, Salem's historical society (HSI) has agreed to drop its lawsuit to stop the redevelopment of the St. Joseph's Church property. The agreement, signed recently in Mayor Kim Driscoll's office, gives HSI a more defined role determining how the property will be developed. The developer, the Planning Office for Urban Affairs, said work will start in six to eight weeks. POUA plans to demolish the 61-year-old church and construct a four-story building with 51 apartments, retail space and a community meeting area.

BEVERLY --- A single-family affordable home that had fallen on hard times is about to go back on the market thanks to the combined efforts of the Beverly Affordable Housing Coalition and the North Shore Habitat for Humanity.

SPRINGFIELD --- In May, the city council approved three zoning changes that are key to developer Gordon Pulsifer's plans to do a $75 million renovation of 22 apartment buildings and 315 rental units in the Hollywood section of the city's South End. The city hopes that Pulsifer can do the same thing for this neighborhood that he did in the Upper Worthington Histric District, where his First Resources company renovated 27 buildings and 445 apartmetns. The improvements have reduced crime in the area, city officials say.

HYANNIS --- By focusing on investing in services that provide housing, a case worker and supervision in a supportive environment, homeless organizations say they are beginning to make progress in reducing the number of chronically homeless people on the Cape.

PROVINCETOWN --- Community Housing Resources Inc. is making progress in increasing the supply of affordable housing at the tip of the Cape. The Provincetown-based nonprofit was recently awarded $1.5 million from the state for its 23-unit Stable Path proposal near Race Point and it is weeks away from completing a 15-unit rental project on Shank Painter Rd. According to CHR President Ted Malone, there were 104 applications for the 15 units. There are 12 efficiency units and three one-bedroom units, with rents ranging from $580 to $750 a month.

GREENFIELD --- The nonprofit affiliate of the Greenfield Housing Authority has successfully completed the renovation of the downtown Winslow Building into 30 units of affordable rental housing.