Housing Headlines

MARLBOROUGH --- Since a fire left a dozen people homeless in January, Marlborough officials have been cracking down on illegal apartments. Earlier this week code enforcement officers cracked down on another landlord of an illegal three-unit apartment. At least one tenant was displaced.

BOXBOROUGH --- A lost opportunity to capitalize on money that had been earmarked for affordable housing because of the lengthy approvals process has prompted officials to establish an affordable housing trust which will make funds more accessible.

NATICK --- The Community Development Director introduced a 40B proposal at town meeting that would add 404 affordable units in two buildings near the Natick Mall. The new units would help Natick surpass the state's 10 percent affordable housing requirement.

BOLTON --- A town that had rejected the Community Preservation Act in 2002 by 12 votes has now voted in favor of adopting the three percent tax surcharge. The measure must win voter approval at the town election in May to be enacted. A minimum of 10 percent of funds raised must go towards affordable housing creation.

BOSTON --- The Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Council (JPNC) voted unanimously to endorse a petition that calls for 50 percent of housing developed as part of the Forest Hills Improvement Initiative to be affordable.

CHATHAM --- Residents are up-in-arms about the results of a housing lottery. While 70 percent of the units are required to be reserved for applicants with strong ties to Chatham, some are saying that the lottery process was unfair and secretive.