Housing Headlines

MELROSE --- Developer Caritas Communities Inc. recently completed the rehabilitation of a former nursing home into 14 SRO units on Vine Street. The rehab included converting 10,000 square feet of the former MacKenzie Nursing Home into 14 single rooms with private bathrooms and a common kitchen area. The project received funding from the state Department of Housing and Community Development and the North Suburban Consortium.

EASTON --- Beacon Communities Development recently reached a tentative agreement to purchase the former Ames shovel factory from private developers George and Robert Turner. Beacon plans to turn the complex into 119 apartments along with a museum, a self-guided walking tour, and a 1.5-acre public park. The Community Preservation Committee will hear the developer's full plans in December but several selectmen have already indicated that they support the plan.

NATICK --- Local developer Chris Carr recently proposed the new construction of a condominium complex near downtown. The 42-unit project would be created under a "housing overlay option" thereby allowing the creation of a denser complex than would usually be allowed. Additionally, 15 percent of the condominium units would be reserved for households earning below 80 percent of the area median income.

WILLIAMSTOWN --- The ZBA recently voted to issue a comprehensive permit to Church Corner LLC developers for the construction of eight affordable housing units at the site of a former church and rectory. The project will also use $1.2 million in Community Preservation Act funds to develop the units.

WESTPORT --- Delphic Associates developers recently began construction on a 40B development that was approved by the town almost two years ago. The 40B project, consisting of 89 single-family homes off Tickle Road, will designate 29 homes as affordable for residents earning at or below 80 percent of the area median income. Homebuyers for the affordable units will be determined through a housing lottery.

PAXTON --- Developer Edward Blanchard recently presented a proposal to the Board of Selectmen for the construction of 150 homebuyer units off 203 Pleasant Street. The proposed 40B project would designate 38 units as affordable with estimated sales prices of $150,000 per unit. The project must still receive state site eligibility approval before it can move forward.