Housing Headlines

FALL RIVER --- After pulling back $1.5 million in federal HOME funds and demanding that the YMCA pay back a $262,000 city loan, Mayor Will Flanagan now says he's willing to forgive the city loan and refund the $30,000 building permit fee the Y paid to rehabilitate its top two floors into 42 units of affordable rental housing. Flanagan said the project's 11 units for Section 8 tenants making less than $15,000 was a "deal killer" for him as he wants to decrease "low-income housing" downtown. "I put the ball back in their court," said Flanagan, referring to his objection over the Section 8 part of the project.

WEYMOUTH --- State and local leaders gathered yesterday to celebrate the beginning of the redevelopment of the 1500-acre South Weymouth Naval Air Station. Stalled during the economic crisis, the first phase calls for the construction of 500 homes, with with another 2,300 homes, 2 million square feet of stores, and offices, film studios, and a golf course to come later. The project has been bolstered by $45 million in state funds, which were used to build a 3.5 mile parkway through the project.

With the fate of the state's affordable housing law (40B) now in the hands of the voters, developers on the South Shore are trying to get their projects started so as to avoid having their permits revoked if the law is repealed in November.

LAWRENCE --- In coordination with the city and state, Lawrence Community Works is taking steps to stabilize neighborhoods by purchasing distressed properties in areas hard-hit by foreclosure and turning them into stable rental properties.

CARLISLE --- After nearly two years of discussions, the local zoning board of appeals has approved a comprehensive permit, giving East Boston-based non-profit NOAH the go-ahead to build 26 units of rental housing for seniors. According to plans, 22 units are expected to be affordable.

With more developers abandoning 55-and-over projects before construction even begins, MetroWest communities are taking a look at decisions made by towns like Northborough, which after 18 months of debate, voted to allow a stalled over-55 development proceed without age restriction.