Housing Headlines

WALTHAM --- The Warren Group reported last week that the number of foreclosures in Newton and Waltham has declined 10 percent since 2007, compared to a 72 percent foreclosure increase in the rest of the state. The two cities have seen the number of home auctions increase at a higher rate than the rest of Massachusetts, which local real-estate players say is due to impatience among sellers. Walter McGuire, executive director of the Waltham Housing Authority, anticipates that things might get worse. "We don't really have people coming in to our office as homeless from foreclosures. If those people are out there, they haven't identified themselves," he said. "But we're still waiting for that shoe to drop."

NORTHAMPTON --- The Citizens Advisory Committee for the Village Hill project is seeking public input about the proposed 100 unit addition to the development. Northampton Economic Development Coordinator Teri Anderson said recently that both the development agency and the city would like to see denser development in the area, believing that more, smaller homes would be beneficial for the community. The committee is also seeking public input about what would be an appropriate amount of affordable units.

TEWKSBURY --- The local housing partnership told selectmen recently that the town is just 15 units short of having 10 percent of its housing units affordable. The rapid is due to two new complexes, Hanover and Village Green, which will bring over 450 affordable and market-rate apartments to the town. Once Tewksbury reaches the 10 percent mark, they will have the ability to approve or deny 40B proposals.

MILFORD --- Numerous residents attended the October 23rd Zoning Board of Appeals meeting to ask questions about the proposed Quarry Pond Village affordable housing complex, only to be told that they would have to wait until December for answers. Neighbors and many town officials oppose the 72 one-bedroom, 108 two-bedroom Northland Investment Corporation complex because of traffic and density concerns. The town has 180 days to approve the project, deny the project, or approve it with conditions.

PEABODY --- Mayor Bonfanti vetoed last month's City Council decision to eliminate its inclusionary zoning buyout option, claiming that the decision would hamper future development opportunities. The City Council still has the opportunity to override the mayor's veto.

NEWTON --- The Citizens for Affordable Housing in Newton Development (CAN-DO) recently withdrew a petition for $576,000 in CPA funds to build a new affordable duplex on Coyne Street. CAN-DO's executive director Josephine McNeil stated that the "project started years ago, and it was a different economic environment." The local government also expressed concerns about the complex's distance from mass transit, shopping, and schools.