Housing Headlines

AMHERST - Housing authorities in Amherst and nearby Easthampton are considering banning smoking inside at all their properties. (Note: Access to this article may require a subscription).

EASTON --- Residents recently voted at a special town meeting to support developer Beacon Communities' plan to rehabilitate the historic Ames shovel factory into 119 affordable apartments. The town gave Beacon Communities a $3 million grant to pay for a historic preservation restriction on the shovel complex and a $4.5 million construction loan. All of the money will come from the town's Community Preservation Act (CPA) account.

FALMOUTH --- Residents recently voted to approve the spending of $3 million in Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds to purchase a 21-acre parcel to be used for the combination of open space, affordable housing, and recreation. As many as 30 units of affordable housing will be created with 70 percent of the units reserved for Falmouth residents.

WESTFIELD --- Three buildings in the downtown area will receive almost $6 million in state and federal funds to rehabilitate or create 19 affordable apartments. Buildings located at 105-107 Elm Street, 118-120 Elm Street, and 168 Elm Street will be rehabilitated to provide affordable rental housing for people with incomes ranging from $32,500 for a single person to $46,560 for a family of four.

CHICOPEE --- The city's plans for a smart-growth zoning downtown district were recently approved by the state Department of Housing and Community Development. The program outlines downtown areas where housing can be built on smaller parcels than allowed by current zoning laws with at least 20 percent of new housing designated as affordable. The City hopes to get approval for the Cabotville condominium project permitted under the zoning district.

SPRINGFIELD, March 30, 2010 --- MHP joined Mayor Dominic Sarno and local non-profit HAPHousing on Tuesday, March 30 to celebrate the turnaround of a troubled 48-unit apartment compleix through an innovative program that uses court-appointed receivers, public grants and private funds to stabilize and rehabilitate the distressed properties where tenants are currently living.