Housing Headlines

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.

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.

SOUTHBOROUGH --- Local developer Robert Moss has recently proposed the creation of an affordable housing development near Crystal Pond Road's intersection with Route 9. The 140-unit affordable housing complex would consist of 84 one-bedroom apartments and 56 two-bedroom apartments on the 16.7 acre property. Moss is at the beginning stages of the development process and is meeting with community officials to discuss the plans before moving forward.

BOSTON --- The federal department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently awarded a $6.7 million grant to an affordable housing development in the South End in order to retrofit the building with energy saving improvements. The retrofit, to be done by Winn Development, will allow the 500-unit Castle Square development to reduce its energy needs by 72 percent.

HAVERHILL --- Northpoint Realty Development recently announced revised plans to build 360 townhouse and garden-style apartments on 113 acres in the city's Bradford section. The new plan will increase the percentage of units reserved for low- and middle-income renters from 20 to 25 percent.

LOWELL --- A Boston-based developer is working with the current owner to redevelop the Picker Building mill site into 70 affordable and market-rate apartments. The development team has applied for $11 million in tax credits from the state and hopes to hear about funding in early fall. If the project receives the state tax credits, construction could begin in early 2012.