Housing Headlines

BOSTON --- Calling it "a dueling public health and economic crisis," Mayor Marty Walsh announced that the Boston Housing Authority would be extending its moratorium on nonessential eviction for BHA tenants through February 2021. "A safe, stable home is the best protection our residents have in battling coronavirus, and it is critical that we take the steps we can to keep our residents safely housed through this pandemic," BHA Administrator Kate Bennett said.

DORCHESTER --- Continuing its tradition of working to make its neighborhood green, the Codman Square Neighborhood Development Corp. recently graduated eight more people from a certification program it sponsors to help low- and moderate-income people of color pursue jobs that incorporate green practices.

ORLEANS --- Playing the role of providing local control over affordable housing development, the town's Affordable Housing Trust Fund Board is finalizing a request for proposal that will outline what the town would like to see developed at the former Cape Abilities property on Main Street. The 1.25 acre town-owned site has a septic system that could handle 20 bedrooms. This is the first time that Orleans, through its trust, has bought a property to reuse for affordable housing

WAREHAM --- Hearings have begun on a developer's application for a Ch. 40B comprehensive land use permit to build 44 affordable senior units and 49 mixed-income apartments on 16 acres of town land on Littleton Drive. Pennsylvania-based Pennrose was chosen by the Wareham Redevelopment Authority to develop the site, which the town has owned since 1979. Pennrose has previously developed affordable housing in Eastham and Auburn.

NORTHAMPTON --- An estimated 150 to 200 homeless people in the area are causing a range of reactions, with service experts worrying about the increased case load, city residents complaining about the homeless camping out downtown and the homeless themselves navigating where they can find shelter and warmth given restrictions on shelter capacity due to COVID.

LEE --- Two years after approving a permit to convert the old Eagle Mill into a marketplace with 80 apartments, the Lee Planning Board has OK'd a revised plan that calls for reduced commercial space and 122 mixed-income apartments. The development team of Jeffrey Cohen and Berkshire Housing Development Corp. said the plan was revised after potential marketplace tenants backed out due to the pandemic.