Housing Headlines

AMHERST --- The Town Council has voted 9-4 to recommend that the Zoning Board of Appeals include a local preference provision when it issues a Ch. 40B comprehensive land use permit to the Valley Community Development Corp. for its $5 million 28-unit affordable single-room occupancy proposal at 132 Northampton Road.

BOSTON --- Scores of residents took to Massachusetts Avenue in Boston one night in early September to call for renewed efforts by state and local officials to deal with increasing amounts of homelessness and drug use in the South End, Melnea Cass Boulevard and surrounding streets.

SOMERVILLE --- With the new Winter Hill Urban Renewal Plan now released, the City of Somerville is ready to receive community feedback on how to proceed with plans for an affordable, green mixed-use development for the vacant 2.8 acre Star Market and Walgreens site at the corner Temple Street and Broadway.

LENOX --- A Superior Court judge upheld the Zoning Board of Appeals' waiver of an affordable housing requirement for a 26-unit downtown mixed-use development. meaning that whoever redevelops the historic 3.26 acre 1790 Northrup House property won't have to include two affordable units in the project.

NORWOOD --- The town is working with the South Middlesex Opportunity Council to use federal funds to offer emergenc rental assistance to households who have been impacted by COVID-19.

BARNSTABLE --- Barnstable County has set aside $100,000 in federal HOME funds to support another rental support program to help residents impacted by COVID-19. The new program will be administered by Housing Assistance Corp., which already has several related programs up and running. People may apply for all of the programs through a single application on HAC’s website.