Housing Headlines

DORCHESTER --- A coalition of local development organization and community groups recently announced plans to revitalize four acres of vacant or blighted property, redevelop 58,000 square feet of commercial space, and create 129 affordable homes. The affordable homes would be the direct result of the renovation and reconfiguration of 81 existing apartments, preservation of an 88-unit project know as Quincy Heights, and the new construction of 48 units.

ACTON --- Financing is set to close this month on the redevelopment of a former high school building into 15 rental units for low-income residents. The complex will include three one-bedroom apartments, nine two-bedroom apartments, and three three-bedroom apartments. The $5.6 million project is being funded by a variety of sources including Acton housing gift funds, federal and Massachusetts historic tax credits, state low-income housing programs, and the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission. Construction is set to begin in the next few months.

LOWELL --- The Coalition for a Better Acre recently announced plans to build 48 rental units for middle-income families on the site of the former St. Peter's Church on Gorham Street. The proposed project will include four one-bedroom apartments, 36 two-bedroom apartments, and eight three-bedroom apartments in two newly constructed six-story buildings. All of the units will be affordable to residents earning at or below 60 percent of the area median income, which translates to a minimum income of $29,000 and a maximum income of $53,000 for a family of four. Construction on this project could begin as early as the fall of 2012.

SOMERVILLE --- The 5.5 acre project, know as Maxwell's Green, is poised to break ground in the late May. The development will feature 199 rental units, 25 of which will be designated as affordable. The development will also include a yoga studio, weight room, club room, wireless work space, theater room, and green space.

WAKEFIELD --- Construction is set to begin on a 4.17 acre mixed-income development called Legacy Park Wakefield. The project will consist of 142 (one, two, and three-bedroom) units of which a certain percentage will be designated as affordable. The development company expects that apartments will start leasing at the end of the year.

LITTLETON --- A Concord developer recently proposed the new construction of a 200-unit apartment complex near the Acton line. Of the 200 units, 40 units would be restricted for low-income families earning no more than 50 percent of the area median income. The developer still needs site approval from the state as well as approval from various town boards to begin the project.