Housing Headlines

Metro West municipalities who depend on real estate and property taxes to keep public services running are growing concerned over delays in payments caused by COVID-19, especially after mortgage service provider CoreLogic requested an extension of its deadline to pay taxes. Framingham receives $19 million quarterly from CoreLogic, which is 38 percent of its quarterly take. Of the $8.5 million Marlborough receives in quarterly property tax payments from mortgage companies, roughly $5.5 million is from CoreLogic.

With the COVID-19 health emergency forcing many public meetings to be held online, city and town halls are adjusting, with some local leaders saying technology allows for more public access while others prefer in-person sessions, especially when for meetings seeking public feedback such as permit hearings for housing.

BROCKTON --- As lawmakers worked toward eviction moratorium legislation signed into law by Gov. Charlie Baker this week, Brockton area landlords reportedly filed close to 100 new eviction claims. Statewide, more than 500 eviction cases have been filed across 22 housing courts during the pandemic, according to Andrea Park of the Mass. Law Reform Institute.

FRAMINGHAM --- The city council voted to hold a second public hearing in May on a proposed zoning change that would place a moratorium on most multifamly development for 270 days. Supporters of the moratorium say Mayor Yvonne Spicer hasn’t done enough to ensure Framingham can absorb the additional traffic and burdens on municipal services, including schools, that would result from more apartments. Framingham had a similar parking ban in the 1980s and 1990s.

NEWTON --- The City of Newton is discussing combining $2 million in Community Preservation Act funds with $500,000 in federal Community Development Block Grants to create an emergency rental and mortgage assistance program in the wake of COVID-19. As reported by MHP in its rental assistance guidelines, the CPA statute does allow for funds for rental assistance.

BOSTON --- A new Boston Fed analyses outlines grim economic consequences for New England in the wake of COVID-19, including an estimate that 36 percent of renters and 18 percent of homeowners in New England are at risk of not being able to make their housing payment.