Housing Headlines

SOMERVILLE --- The board of aldermen will consider amendments to the Union Square zoning plan to increase the required percentage of affordable housing, while reducing the amount set aside for artists' residences.

BOSTON --- A group of housing advocates will release a report later this month calling for 20,000 moderately priced starter homes to be built over the next five years. To help spur construction, the group is considering a variety of incentives to be offered to towns from the state.

BOSTON --- Tufts University professor Rachel G. Bratt argues that in the absence of public resources for affordable housing, the private sector has taken the lead in new production through 40B and this is something Massachusetts can build onnot only to solve its housing production issues but also to serve as a national model.

Opinion: A non-profit leader urges the new administration to consider streamlining the screening processes to make it simpler, faster, and more forgiving for families who need low-income housing.

MARION --- A 7,000 square foot mixed-use building designed to resemble a traditional New England marketplace is set to open next month, but still awaits approval for the 'friendly 40B' planned for the second floor.

NEEDHAM --- Town leaders have put together a ten year 'project development plan', plotting how the town will meet its 10 percent affordable housing goal. Needham currently has one 40B effort underway and has several ideas which include a buy-down program and another downtown 40B.