Housing Headlines

BOSTON (MISSION HILL) --- WinnDevelopment recently began construction on an adaptive reuse project that will transform two, four and five-story historic mill buildings into 62 units of mixed-income housing in the Mission Hill neighborhood of Boston. The Oliver Lofts will include twelve one-bedroom units, 39 two-bedroom units, eight two-bedroom duplexes, and three artist live-work spaces. Of the 62 units, 35 will be reserved for households earning at or below 60 percent AMI and eight units will be reserved for households earning at or below 30 percent AMI. The expected project completion date is July 2011.

WORCESTER --- The Zoning Board of Appeals recently approved a series of variances that will allow the final phase of the Kilby-Gardner-Hammond project to begin. The final phase of the 92-unit scattered site project will include the construction of 22 units of affordable rental housing in seven energy efficient buildings. The entire revitalization project is a partnership involving the Main South CDC, Clark University, the Worcester Boys & Girls Club and the city.

NEW BEDFORD ---The Women's Institute for Housing and Economic Development was recently awarded $4.48 million in federal stimulus funds to help convert a former school in affordable housing. The non-profit developers plan to turn the former Ingraham School into 19 affordable apartments with an after-school program and community room in the basement level. Construction is expected to begin in early June.

BOSTON (DORCHESTER) ---- The Archdiocese of Boston recently announced that three former Catholic Church properties will be converted into affordable housing for families. The non-profit developer affiliated with the Archdiocese, the Planning Office for Urban Affairs (POUA), will be working in partnership with St. Mary's Women and Children Center and Holy Family Parish to redevelop the former St. Kevin's Parish property in Uphams Corner. Non-profit developer Caritas Communities will redevelop the two parcels of the former St. Peter's Parish campus into housing for the "working poor."

FALMOUTH --- The Falmouth Housing Corporation recently received a $1 million loan from the state's Affordable Housing Trust Fund to help construct 39 new units of housing. The Veterans' Park Apartment units are reserved for residents that are 55 or older with nine units designated as affordable for people earning at or below 30 percent of the area median income (AMI). Construction is set to begin on the complex in June.

LUNENBURG ---Construction recently began on the first phase of the 204-unit Tri-Town Landing 40R development off Summer Street. The first phase of the project involves the new construction of 66 housing units, 60 of which will be reserved for low-income residents. Developers estimate that the first phase of construction will be complete within a year.