Housing Headlines

NORTH ANDOVER --- One year after voting no for the same project, town meeting had a change of heart on May 13, voting to give $1.3 million in community preservation money toward the Stevens Corner project, which involves turning a former nursing home into 42 apartments, 32 of them affordable.

ACTON --- Two years ago, a local school teacher faced the reality that she would probably never be able to afford a home in Acton, where she's lived for 14 years, on her salary. Thanks to Chapter 40B she now owns a deed-restricted condo unit on River Street with her three children.

READING --- The state Department of Housing and Community Development has approved a 40R application submitted by National Development that will redevelop a 25-acre currently vacant site into a mixed-use development for affordable housing. The site will include 378 homes, including a mix of townhouses, elderly housing, and multi-family housing as well as office space. At least 40 of the units will be affordable.

STATE --- This spring, housing construction has hit a 26-year low, causing work to dry up for local contractors and home builders. Only 451 home permits were issued in the month of February, compared to 982 permits issued during the same month last year.

WORCESTER --- The Dedham-based Economic Development Finance Corp. received $19 million in funds to begin working on a major housing project in the downtown Worcester arts district. The project will include 200 condominium and apartment units, as well as two large commercial areas and resident parking.

LAWRENCE --- The non-profit Lawrence Community Works is planning to team with local mill owners in a $75 million project that would transform a sprawling group of riverfront mill buildings into a complex of 150 or more apartments, a day-care center, retail shops, high-tech companies and possibly a satellite college.