Incentives for urban pioneers: in housing policy, one policy does not fit all

In housing policy, one size does not fit all. State programs designed to retain affordable housing stock in high-cost areas may inadvertently keep secondary cities from revitalizing.Housing - Prices - Massachusetts ; Housing policy - Massachusetts

Creating housing opportunities

Helping families of low and moderate means find opportunities in high-cost areas requires special tactics. Citizens for Affordable Housing in Newton Development Organization (CAN-DO) shows it can be done.Housing - Massachusetts ; Housing - Prices - Massachusetts

Beyond neighborhood revitalization

After community groups rescue a troubled neighborhood, the area may attract many newcomers—and become expensive. One community shows how to help activists retain the diversity of the towns they work so hard to revitalize.Community development - Massachusetts ; Housing - Prices ; Housing - Boston

Quality of life improves in Brockton: fighting for the City of Champions: a collaboration of community lenders

For over a decade, community lenders in Brockton, Massachusetts, have been working together to revitalize this urban center. Leo MacNeil reports on the Brockton Housing Partnership's efforts to increase homeownership, improve social services, and build community.Community development - Massachusetts ; Loans - Massachusetts ; Housing - Massachusetts

Affordable housing in the greater Boston area: what challenges are LMI households facing?

Traditional programs designed to assist low- and moderate-income (LMI) renters and prospective homebuyers may not be sufficient given the rapidly accelerating Greater Boston real-estate market. Kathleen Gill explores how a growing shortage of affordable housing impacts LMI households and what options may be available to them.Housing - Massachusetts ; Housing - Prices

Mapping New England: changes in median home prices in cities and towns in southern New England, 2000 to 2004

In recent years, housing prices across the country have soared. Southern New England has been no exception. The map shows the percent change in median sales prices for single-family homes for each city and town in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island between 2000 and 2004.Housing - Massachusetts ; Housing - Connecticut ; Housing - Prices ; Housing - Rhode Island

Receivership : a coordinated strategy to stabilize troubled properties

With the impact of municipal debt burdens, coupled with the effects of declining real estate prices and the US financial crisis, municipalities are looking for novel and cost-effective approaches to address abandoned, blighted and/or foreclosed properties that threaten the quality of life of their communities. Receivership, the use of statutory power to seize buildings and place properties under control of a judicially supervised 'receiver', can be an effective tool to tackle the problem of troubled properties which repeatedly violate safety and sanitary codes. Despite its potential, receivership requires significant coordination, as well as a committed team, in order to implement the intricate process of running a successful receivership strategy.Foreclosure - Massachusetts ; Housing policy - Massachusetts

Observations: take home pay

While employer-assisted housing programs may allow companies to help their own workers with housing issues, it remains to be seen whether the programs can contribute substantially to resolving Boston's affordable housing problem.Home ownership - Massachusetts ; Housing - Massachusetts