Housing Headlines

FRAMINGHAM --- Saying it will slow the city's economic growth, Mayor Yvonne Spicer urged city councilors to to reconsider its recent 10-1 vote to place a nine-month moratorium on the approval of new multifamily housing in the city. “This new moratorium will once again send a clear signal that Framingham is closed to meaningful economic development,” said Spicer. According to the city council, a total of 1,419 new apartment units have been approved by the city since 2016, with 876 of those in Framingham’s central business district.

WBUR and El Planeta team up to tell the story of tenants and landlords during the eviction moratorium, with tenants unable to pay and small landlords needing the rent. One thing both sides can agree on: a massive infusion of cash is needed to avert a crisis. (Note: Since this story was written, Gov. Charlie Baker has extended the state's eviction moratorium 60 days to Oct. 17, 2020).

TRURO --- Hearings for the 39-unit Cloverleaf affordable housing proposal continued this month, with a consultant saying the wasterwater treatment system will reduce nitrogen to half the state standard. Also discussed was accessibility, with the town asking that all units be accessible and developer Ted Malone's architect saying all would be except four second-floor units.Opponents said they are hesitant to speak out and seem anti-housing. "If the shoe fits, wear it," countered Kevin Grunwald, chair of the housing authority.

EASTON --- In a report to the select board, community planner Wayne Beitler said the town's affordable housing trust is moving ahead with its decision to use $80,000 for emergency rental assistance. Beitler said the nonprofit Metro West Collaborative will administer the program and that the funds will provide assistance for about 25 households for three months. Beitler said the program could be continued, noting that Town Meeting voters in June OK'd $500,000 for the trust, with $250,000 earmarked for COVID-related rental assistance.

Residents of Winn Companies properties in Lowell and Fitchburg talk about economic hard times and their landlord's decision to extend its eviction moratorium through the end of 2020. “That’s what’s good about this place — that they fight for you,” said Thomas Perez of Lowell, who is unemployed and has lived in one of the over 500 units Winn owns in Lowell. "We are committed to working with each household to create a realistic payment agreement that is sustainable and achievable," said CEO Gilbert Winn.

NEWTON --- A City Council committee is discussing new zoning that would allow multifamily construction on residential lots within a half mile of a train, subway or express bus stop. The areas being looked at encompass 18,720 residential lots, 13,433 of them single-family lots. This includes about 8,000 lots within a half-mile of the Green Line and Commuter Rail, 81 percent of which are zoned single-family, according to the city.