Housing Headlines

BOSTON --- Real estate developers and researchers point to restrictive zoning regulations as being the root of the affordable housing shortage in Massachusetts. While the state and many local communities have begun to implement programs to ameliorate the shortage, much more must be done in order to reverse the trend of high cost housing.

ACTON/WESTFORD --- Developer AvalonBay plans to purchase a 70-acre land parcel in Acton and Westford to build housing that will include senior and affordable rental units.

A study published by the Rappaport Institute declares that in order to effectively curb sprawl, the expansion of commuter rail lines must coalesce with effective zoning and land-use policies.

BOSTON --- An increase in new housing units is a big reason why the the U.S. Census Bureau has bumped up Boston's population estimate by 37,600 to 596,600. The city balked at the bureau's initial count and provided a wealth of charts, maps and stats. Records indicate that city data on new residential housing construction and conversions of commercial properties into housing were big reasons why the census changed its estimate.

STOW --- Town residents celebrate the completion of 24 new housing units, the result of an action plan created in an effort to be proactive about their affordable housing shortage.

EASTHAMPTON --- The City Council is being asked to approve a 50-year affordable housing restriction for a building being turned into a single-room occupancy residence.