Housing Headlines

CHELSEA --- With the non-profit Chelsea Neighborhood Developers taking the lead on the affordable housing side and Mitchell Properties handling the development of market-rate housing, a former industrial site now known as the Box District has been revitalized with new rental and homeownership housing. Developers are now planning the final phase and are slated to go before city this summer for necessary permits.

BELLINGHAM --- Noting that the zoning board of appeals' public hearing on a proposed 100-unit 40B housing proposal raised the issue of increased traffic, the planning board has suggested that Fafard Real Estate, the developer of the proposed Silver Lake Estates, put in a traffic light. The planning board's suggestion is not binding and the traffic light would have to be stipulated as a condition by the ZBA and approved by the state.

PROVINCETOWN --- Higher than usual tenant turnover and an inability to keep up with required maintenance due in part to budget cuts have caused five Provincetown Housing Authority units to remain vacant, despite long waiting lists for affordable units.

EASTHAMPTON --- With 60 rental units already in place at the Treehouse adpotive and foster community, Beacon Communities is about to begin the 33-unit homeownership phase and is seeking $27,000 in local Community Preservation Act funds that will be used to provide downpayment and closing cost assistance to households looking to buy one of the nine affordable units. (subscription required to read full story).

SALEM --- Talks are under way for the Salem Harbor Community Development Corp. and the Beverly Affordable Housing Coalition to merge, with details expected to be ironed out by the end of the month. The groups are two of the more active non-profit affordable housing organizations in the region, with Salem Harbor having 164 units in its portfolio while Beverly has 95.

LOWELL --- The first phase of the $800 million Hamilton Canal revitalization, the construction of 130 one- and two-bedroom affordable artist live-work spaces at the former Appleston Mill, is on schedule to be ready for occupancy next April.