Housing Headlines

BROCKTON --- Less than a year after developing and selling its first four affordable homes, the Brockton Interfaith Council has announced plans to build four more duplexes that will provide eight affordable homeownership opportunities for low and moderate-income homebuyers. Each of the duplexes will feature a two-bedroom condo for $147,000 and three-bedroom condo for $157,000. The homes will be available to people living or working in Brockton with a maximum income of $48,650 to $70,550, depending on family size. For more information, call 508-583-6464.

LOWELL --- The plan to turn a former ironworks into 32 affordable units has stalled due to the slumping housing market, a city official said recently. In 2006, the city seized the land and paid the owner of Soucy Ironworks $1.5 million to move his business out of the city. Since then, little progress has been made. "We will keep on doing pre-development work and put out feelers to developers, but given the real-estate market things are slow," said Anne Barton, deputy director of the city's Division of Planning and Development. "It is all still on the table. Having housing on that site would create a good little neighborhood."

WAYLAND --- The Board of Selectmen is hoping to decide on a developer for an affordable housing project at the former Nike site by the end of November. The town has outlined detailed specifications for a 40B housing project and they have formed a committee to find the right developer for the job. The town has already used state grant money for preliminary plans and will use more of the grant money to help choose their developer.

CHICOPEE --- Begun in March of 2007, the city is wrapping up the planning phase in the creation of a smart-growth zoning district (40R) downtown. The city applied for a $75,000 gateway-plus grant from the state on Wednesday to turn their plans into projects for this walkable village-style environment. In return for establishing a smart-growth zoning district, the city will be rewarded by the state for each housing unit created.

MARBLEHEAD --- The town's Smart Growth Advisory Committee is exploring "smart growth" opportunities in Marblehead with funding from a $40,000 Department of Housing and Community Development grant. The committee hopes to use the funds to analyze development opportunities at sites they believe could be developed in the years to come. These sites include the soon-to-be-former YMCA building on Pleasant Street. Other possible redevelopment sites include the former Miller Ford retail location, Village Plaza and the former General Glover House Restaurant parcel adjacent to Vinnin Square.

FALL RIVER --- City councilors, the mayor, the state and resident groups are still haggling over details of the plan to raze the Watuppa Heights public housing project and replace it with new housing. At a meeting last month, councilors questioned why the original plan of 26 single-family homes for the nine-acre site had been raised to 60 units. There was also objection to a provision that would have city commit $4 million in federal block grant and city funds to assist in making the units affordable.