Housing Headlines

WESTFORD --- A groundbreaking ceremony was recently held on a 5.3 acre lot off Boston Road set to become a community of year-round cottage dwellers. The Cottages in the Woods development will consist of 20 two- and three-bedroom cottages ranging from 900 to 1,100 square feet. The homes will be priced between $142,000 and $158,000 and will be available for purchase through a lottery of applicants earning no more than 80 percent of the area median income.

SALEM --- State and local officials recently gathered at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Glenridge Apartments affordable senior complex off Veterans Memorial Highway. The 26-unit development will be affordable to residents earning at or below 60 percent of the area median income, $35,880 for a single person. The development also incorporates green building technology, stormwater management, and low-impact landscaping.

BRIGHTON --- A 29 year old affordable housing complex recently received $2.7 million in federal grants funds to "greenly" renovate their space. The Covenant House building was one of seven affordable housing developments in Massachusetts to receive grant money to help reduce energy costs, cut water consumption, and improve indoor air quality. The project's sponsor, B'nai B'rith Housing New England, said most of the renovations are already complete and the project should be finished at the end of next month.

PAXTON --- The Planning Office for Urban Affairs (POUA) was recently approved as the developer of a proposed senior housing project in town. The project will be built on 10 acres of town-owned land and calls for the creation of 50 one-bedroom and five two-bedroom apartments. POUA must have their proposal approved by town meeting sometime early next year before they can move forward with plans.

BILLERICA --- The Planning Office for Urban Affairs recently celebrated the groundbreaking of an affordable housing complex for seniors built on a 3.2 acre parcel formerly owned by the Saint Theresa Lisieux Parish. The new development will be made up of 41 apartments and will also include a community room and kitchen facilities. Construction is expected to be completed in the fall of 2011.

LITTLETON --- Michael Kimball, the owner of a local ice-cream stand, recently filed a petition to transfer a comprehensive permit for an affordable housing project into his name. The permit was originally granted to a 108-unit development know as Village on the Commons but construction was never completed. Kimball has already purchased the land but must reapply for any building permits that he will need to finish the complex.