Housing Headlines

CAPE COD --- During a regional panel discussion on the Cape's housing situation, state Senator Julian Cyr said the pandemic has exacerbated the Cape's affordable housing situation where it's now "a near-existential crisis." Cyr called upon local officials to address a problem that is hurting people and the economy. “It's really incumbent upon local officials to recognize our own agency in solving this problem,” Cyr said. “(If not) we will not have sustainable year-round communities."

WELLFLEET --- The town's 20-year quest to use a tax delinquent site to build affordable housing may finally be nearing the end as court records indicate that the town has settled with three abutters who have been holding up the project over concerns about driveway slope, water runoff and potential well contamination. The settlement paves the way for Community Housing Resources to build eight units on the property.

PROVINCETOWN --- Local business owner Patrick Patrick's bid to build a three-story workforce housing complex with one two-bedroom, 10 one-bedroom, five studios and 28 four-person dorm units has raised the ire of neighbors, who have no quarrel with the need for housing but want the developer to change his plans so it won't involve demolishing a sand dune and the habitat around it.

ATHOL --- Town Manager Shaun Suhoski has sent a letter to the Zoning Board of Appeals, urging them to support zoning that would allow the nonprofit NewVue Communities of Fitchburg to preserve and renovate the historic Bigelow and Riverbend Schools into 53 mixed-income apartments. “We have the ability, right before us, right before this entire community to preserve history and to provide housing that is indisputably needed,' he wrote.

WALTHAM --- Due to increased need during COVID-19, a Waltham-based nonprofit has broadened its scope in providing assistance to low-income tenants. Since last year, WATCH CDC has distributed $370,000 in grants for rent, utilities, food, and other needs, helped more than 350 apply for state or city rent assistance and has launched an education campaign that urges tenants to seek rent assistance rather than move out of their apartment. The effort builds upon WATCH's established housing clinic, which assists 300-500 households a year.

NORWELL --- At spring Town Meeting, residents defeated an effort to bring more affordable housing to Norwell, voting 297-138 to approve a citizen’s petition directing the Select Board to designate 6.3 acres of town land behind the Wildcat Hill subdivision as conservation land. Norwell’s Community Housing Trust had pursued having the land developed into 24-units of mixed-income housing, in accordance with a 2004 Town Meeting vote that it be used for affordable housing.