Housing Headlines

YARMOUTH --- At the recent special town meeting, voters approved a non-binding warrant article urging the town to buy back or seize 19 acres that was given to the housing authority 20 years ago for affordable housing. The warrant article stemmed from a petition drive by residents concerned that the housing authority's preliminary plan to build in phases over 100 units of housing may impact wetlands, cause flooding and more traffic.

PITTSFIELD -- Work will begin today toward the conversion of the former A.H. Rice silk mill into affordable housing -- a $14.7 million project that local business leaders and housing officials expect will revitalize the Morningside neighborhood.

BOSTON, Oct. 17, 2011 - The Patrick-Murray Administration today announced $64.5 million in affordable housing resources and tax credits directed to support the construction of 25 rental developments in 15 communities across Massachusetts. The projects will create an estimated 1,500 construction jobs. Funding from today's announcement will support projects in Acton, Arlington, Beverly, Boston, Cambridge, Chicopee, Danvers, Gloucester, Lee, Lunenburg, Mashpee, New Bedford, Somerville, Springfield and Worcester.

FRAMINGHAM --- The $32 million renovation of the public housing authority's World War II era development at Concord place is nearing completion, as all families have moved into the 110 renovated town houses. Housing authoirty officials say they have succeeded in renting the apartments to people in three income tiers ranging from about $100 to $1,100 a month depending on income.

CHATHAM --- The town's affordable housing trust fund committee has approved the use of $345,000 to acquire 3.5 acres and help the Chatham Housing Authority begin the development of five affordable homes. Of this total, $300,000 will be used to purchase the West Chatham property and $45,000 will be used for predevelopment work needed to clear the way for a nonprofit developer to come in and build on the site. The town's trust fund is supported mostly with funds raise through the town's Community Preservation Act.

In an opinion piece for the local paper, Plymouth's community development director, Bruce Arons, worries about the lack of affordable housing given that wages have not kept up with the high cost of housing, even though prices have dipped lately.