Housing Headlines

NEEDHAM --- The town's bid to legally block the construction of a 10-unit 40B affordable housing complex was rejected in Norfolk Superior Court last week. Residents near the proposed project felt the size and scale of the condo project was too big for the neighborhood. One resident speculated that neighbors may have lost the battle, but won the war. "Given the economic situation, who knows what will happen now?" the resident said. "Ten units might be uneconomical at this point."

MARSHFIELD --- Residents have called for more restrictions on Beacon Communities' comprehensive permit modification during a zoning board of appeals hearing on October 14. Beacon developers want to change the 40B project from 90 owner-occupied condos to 97 age-restricted rental apartments with more than 25 percent being affordable. Residents were concerned with the possibility of future plan changes and the high cost of development.

BOSTON --- The Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) has approved a $125 million, 325-unit residential project in Chinatown. The project is a joint venture between the Asian Community Development Corporation and New Boston Inc. The developers plan to make 50 percent of the project affordable, with approximately 70 of the affordable units rental and between 66 to 99 of the units to be sold as affordable condos.

WESTON --- The Weston Affordable Housing Foundation will hold a lottery in December to select a family for a three-bedroom affordable rental home. The home was built on land donated to the town by the developer of Highland Meadows, who agreed to build seven affordable units on the development site, and another unit on town land. Preference for the lottery will go to Weston residents, town employees, and METCO students' families. For details, visit the Foundation's website at www.wahfi.org.

HINGHAM --- Hingham voters will decide later this month whether their town should purchase the Lincoln School Apartments in order to guarantee that all 60 units remain affordable for seniors. John M. Corcoran & Co., which has managed the property for 30 years, has made an offer to buy the property and has stated it will keep it affordable as long as federal support for the project remains. The town has the right of first refusal, a condition it required when it sold the school for development back in 1980.

PLYMOUTH --- The Plymouth Redevelopment Authority will continue to educate South Shore homebuyers and homeowners on how to avoid foreclosure with a $52,500 grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The grant money will go towards first-time homebuyer seminars as well as one-on-one counseling sessions. The Redevelopment Authority believes that foreclosure education will provide for more stable families and communities in this economic crisis.