Housing Headlines

BOSTON --- The Bay State Banner's Yawu Miller has good Q&A with Lee Pelton, current Emerson College president who has been picked to take over The Boston Foundation later this year. Learn Pelton's thoughts on using TBF's grant power to address systemic racism, why he wrote about being racially profiled & how he grew to see Boston as "the center of the universe."

NEWTON --- Explaining that it hasn't done enough to create housing for people who work in local businesses like restaurants and hotels, Newton is exploring the benefits of creating an affordable housing trust. City Council President Susan Albright said the planning department is preparing recommendations on how a trust might work. According to MHP's Shelly Goehring, over 100 communities have adopted trusts, which use local funds to support affordable housing.

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.