Housing Headlines

WAYLAND --- Stating that "housing is a fundamental human right," Wayland's Good Shepherd Parish has announced its plan to lease a portion of its St. Ann's church property campus to a nonprofit developer that would build up to 65 units of affordable housing for seniors. The church hopes to team up with the Planning Office of Urban Affairs, which has developed affordable housing across the state, most recently in nearby Ashland.

ARLINGTON --- The Select Board has given the nonprofit Housing Corporation of Arlington the green light, voting 4-0 to support the construction of 43 affordable apartments on a former East Arllington commercial site about a mile from the Alewife rapid transit stop. "It’s nice that this large structure, the gateway to Arlington, is all affordable housing, and could be a trigger for other types of development," said Len Diggings, chair of the select board.

BEVERLY --- The city is continuing to discuss a raft of zoning changes aimed at both controlling growth and adding affordable units. On the table are proposals to eliminate the tall building overlay district, include more affordable units in developments and allow accessory dwelling apartments.

FALMOUTH --- The president and chief executive officer of the Falmouth Chamber of Commerce told the school committee that the Lawrence School property could be a possible site for affordable housing. Michael D. Kasparian's suggestion got mixed reviews at the Falmouth School Committee meeting. He cited declining enrollment and said proceeds from the sale of the property to a developer could be used to build a new junior high at the high school campus. One committee member said buildings must be protected for the students and noted that money has been spent on improvements at the school. Another said that something needs to be done about the housing crisis and that school enrollment declines are “tied into housing.”

BEDFORD --- The Bedford Planning Board endorsed a concept draft of a proposed Local Initiative Project (LIP) on land off Carlisle Road. As a LIP, it is exempt under state law from zoning density requirements because 25 percent of the units will meet the state’s definition of “affordable housing.” The plan calls for 139 housing units with 1.8 parking spaces per unit. Once the plans receive approval from the Housing Partnership, the Select Board, and the state Department of Housing and Community Development, they advance to the Zoning Board of Appeals for a comprehensive permit.

HOLYOKE --- Renters expressed their concerns about rising rents, lack of affordable housing, poor conditions and the need for a tenant's bill of rights during a Holyoke City Council Public Safety Committee hearing. One resident spoke about poor conditions in her building, including leaky pipes, a faulty ceiling, an illegal heating system and rodents. Ward 5 Councilor Linda Vacon said she has “actively” sought increased enforcement related to housing issues. She gave out her cell phone number to hearing participants.