Housing Headlines

LUNENBURG --- The initial phases of two apartment developments --- TriTown Land and Emerald Place --- have filled up quickly and managers for both projects predict that yet-to-be-built units will also go fast. TriTown has 66 rental units that are 100 percent occupied, with another 33 units set to be added in April. Emerald Place has 110 units and is said to be "at capacity", with another 24 units to be added by March.

BROOKLINE --- Concerned that plans to add more units to Hancock Village would alter a look that dates back to the "Garden City" planning movement of the 1940s, special town meeting voted recently to designate the site as the town's first Neighborhood Conversation District. Developers countered that they would like use Ch. 40B to override local zoning and add more units to the property.

LAWRENCE --- The nonprofit Lawrence Community Works is putting the finishing touches on turning a five-story mill that once produced clothes for Brooks Brothers into 60 affordable rental homes and two floors of commercial space.

HOLLISTON - In an effort to help low-income families afford homes in Holliston, the town is using funds from its affordable housing trust to refurbish a foreclosed condominium and designate it as affordable housing. Officials explained that they will spend $25,000 on back taxes, $19,000 on owed condo fees and $50,000 to repair the unit and will sell it to a family that makes less than the median income, which is $96,000. Officials defended the expenditure, saying it would cost $250,000 to build a new home.

SOMERVILLE --- Building height, traffic and property values were some of the issues raised by residents at a community meeting held to discuss the non-profit Somerville Community Corporation's plan to turn the former Boys & Girls Club into 40 units of affordable housing for working families making no more than $57,000 a year.

HARVARD ---Trinity Financial officials faced a cadre of key municipal boards recently to explain its plans to develop 246 units of mixed-income housing on 19 acres at the former Fort Devens military site. Trinity must gain town meeting approval from Harvard, Ayer and Shirley in order to go forward with the project.