Housing Headlines

BOSTON --- To diminish the current exodus of young professionals from Massachusetts, the state needs to support the construction of starter homes on small lots close to transit lines.

FOXBOROUGH --- After downsizing his initial plans, a developer hopes to receive state approval for a 40B effort to build 52 single-family homes on 25 acres of land.

CHICOPEE --- The town will use a state grant to pursue an 'urban village' concept for downtown Chicopee. If approved, the smart growth district will include 20 percent affordable housing.

BOSTON --- Governor Patrick needs to consider raising taxes, opines economist Ed Moscovitch. In this Herald op-ed piece, he also advises that Patrick lower zoning regulations to stimulate housing and economic growth, and then use the extra revenue to provide local schools with additional aid.

According to housing poll conducted by the UMass Donahue Institute and Citizens Housing and Planning Association (CHAPA), there is strong statewide support for the construction of affordable housing, with a majority of residents hoping that Governor Deval Patrick will make affordable housing a high priority in his administration.

HARWICH --- Affordable housing efforts will receive the majority of Community Preservation Act funding this year, if voters approve the community preservation committee's funding recommendations.