Housing Headlines

NORWOOD --- By rezoning an area in downtown Norwood into a smart growth district, town officials were able to work with a developer to convert a church into 15 affordable units that are now near completion.

PLYMOUTH --- Saying they want the town's largest residential developer to provide affordable housing, town meeting members rejected adding 69 more acres to the Pinehills, a high-end planned community that has already sold 1,200 units and built 100,000 square feet of retail space.

GROTON --- Residents at town meeting voted to create a zoning overlay district that will transform the Town Hall neighborhood into a hub of commercial and recreational activities with affordable housing.

HAVERHILL --- Several efforts to build new housing in downtown Haverhill have been stalled due to the sluggish condo market. At least three different construction projects planned for in or near downtown are on hold, and developers have had to lower prices on units already completed.

MASHPEE --- The Wampanoag tribe has received a $669,500 grant from the federal government to help rehabilitate existing housing and to increase capacity to build new housing in Mashpee. The tribe's housing department services are open to tribe members living in the state, but the housing units are available to all Massachusetts residents who meet the income requirements for affordable housing.

SANDWICH --- After eight years of public meetings and appeals, Housing Assistance Corp. has reached a settlement with abutters that will allow HAC to move forward with plans to construct 65 two- and three-bedroom apartments, including 10 that will be set aside for formerly homeless people. Dana Fields, as the effort is called, will include a community garden and a renewable energy center that will be open to all Sandwich residents.