Housing Headlines

EASTON --- Two projects recently received project eligibility letters (PEL) to move forward with plans to build affordable rental housing in town. The first proposed project, called Welsch Woods, will consist of 26 town homes on 10 acres of land. The second project, Sawmill Village, will include 44 town homes on 13 acres of land.

CAMBRIDGE --- Construction was recently completed on Just-A-Start Corporation's Elm Place development. The four-story building will feature retail space on the first floor and 19 affordable rental apartments. The project includes a 24 kilowatt solar power plant and is expected to be award a LEED Gold designation. Developers celebrated the project's ribbon cutting last week and tenants are expected to move in soon.

SOUTHBOROUGH --- The ZBA recently approved a 40B project to be built by developer Robert Heavey. The project will consist of 16 housing units, four of which will be designated as affordable, on a 2.5 acre lot behind Walgreens on Oak Hill Road.

HAMILTON --- Developers recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for a new affordable housing project called Firehouse Place at 69 Willow Street. The project, a former firehouse, will house the Acord Food Pantry on its ground floor plus four affordable residential units. The project was the first in town to receive Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds. Work on the project is expected to be completed later this year.

FRAMINGHAM --- Developers Jewish Community Housing for the Elderly recently celebrated the opening of a four-story $42 million project for seniors. The Shillman House consists of 150 units with a certain number of units set aside for residents who will be paying 1/3 of their monthly income, designated as the affordable units. This project received money from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), several state sources including the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), as well as $2.9 million in federal stimulus money.

STATE --- The federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently distributed $960,000 in grants to four housing authorities in Massachusetts. The four housing authorities, located in Chelsea, Gloucester, Malden, and Somerville, will each receive $240,000 to help public housing residents connect to employment and supportive services available in their communities.