Danvers Housing Authority Approves Affordable Housing Apartments

According to The Danvers Herald, the Danvers Board of Selectmen approved a warrant article that will transfer a Cherry Street to the Danvers Housing Authority, which has plans to create 3 affordable housing apartments.

Town Manager Wayne Marquis and the selectmen’s Affordable Housing Subcommittee have been seeking ways to add affordable units.  Back-taxes are $45,000, legal fees are $15,000, and Public Works Department costs to keep the building in reasonable repair are $9,800, said Assistant Planning Director Susan Fletcher during the meeting.

The Housing Authority, which has almost a $1 million operating budget, is profitable.  Federal and state money that the authority receives annually must be used to maintain and upgrade currently owned Housing Authority properties and cannot be used for purchases of new property, she explained.  “The town has $500,000 put aside for affordable housing, given to the town by the developers of the state hospital,” said Selectman Bennett.

Read the entire Danvers Herald article.