Housing Headlines

EASTON --- The town has taken steps to begin what would be its first 40R smart growth venture. At a selectmen's meeting, the land owner proposed an effort that would include 220 apartments and 60 condos as well as retail space.

SE Mass --- In the first in a series of meetings between SouthCoast towns and The Standard-Times editorial board, Marion and Dartmouth housing advocates sat down to explain what they are doing and some of the barriers they face in combating the shortage of affordable homes.

NATICK --- The town is looking to hire a consultant to market two condos that have been reserved for households earning less than 80 percent of the median income. The condos were built as a result of a housing overlay district meant to increase affordable housing in Natick.

SHREWSBURY --- Town leaders have taken a proactive approach to affordable housing by creating a competitive bid process among potential developers, which will give the town greater control over the size and location of any proposed 40B effort.

TAUNTON --- A hard-working mother has become a homeowner thanks to an initiative begun by ProHome, a non-profit Taunton-based affordable housing organization that purchased and fixed the three-bedroom home, placed an affordable deed restriction on it, and sold it to her for under $200,000. The sale proceeds will go towards construction of another affordable home next door.

WILMINGTON --- As the town quickly approaches the state's required affordable housing minimum, the planning director looks ahead to plans for future affordable efforts in an attempt to keep their housing stock up-to-date with the state's standards.