Project & Program Updates



• Village Center Zoning – Draft Maps: Planning staff are excited to share version 1.0 of the proposed village center zoning districts map at the upcoming ZAP meeting on Monday, October 24. This initial mapping process ran in parallel to the engagement focused on the zoning framework. These maps are meant to be reviewed and updated. Physical maps of version 1.0 will be displayed at City Hall November through December and available online following the ZAP meeting. Over the next few months the feedback tool responses will be incorporated to further refine the village center boundaries, along with workshops with the City Council and additional public meetings. Learn more about the Village Center focus at newtonma.gov/zoningredesign/vc For any questions, contact the Zoning Redesign team at [email protected]
• City of Newton Economic Stability / Mobility Initiative Request for Proposals (RFP): The City of Newton is seeking proposals for programs that promote economic stability and/or create opportunities for economic mobility among Newton’s under-resourced individuals and families. This pilot initiative is one of the transformative investments we are making with the City of Newton’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. We are investing $1.75 million of the City’s ARPA funds to support residents disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic who continue to face significant economic challenges on a daily basis. The Newton Community Needs Assessment, completed this past winter, identified this as a critical need. Organizations that have a 501(c)(3) designation or those with a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor are eligible to apply. Applicants must demonstrate: Knowledge of the City of Newton’s low-income population, including the ability to support non-English speakers and newcomers to the United States; Proven experience implementing programs to promote economic stability/mobility; and a Commitment to centering diversity, equity and inclusion frameworks in administering services. The RFP can be downloaded at newtonma.gov/current-bids. Proposals are due by Dec. 1, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. Questions, contact Amanda Berman at [email protected]
• MyMassHome: MyMassHome is a new website designed to be a one-stop resource for helping Massachusetts homebuyers navigate their path to becoming a homeowner. The website compiles information regarding first-time homebuyer courses, different mortgage products, and down payment assistance programs that some homebuyers may be eligible for. To learn more about becoming a homeowner in Massachusetts and how MyMassHome can assist you in finding an accessible and affordable home, visit https://www.mymasshome.org/ 
• West Newton Armory (1135 Washington Street): The City’s Zoning Board of Appeals held its first public hearing for a request of a Chapter 40B Comprehensive Permit submitted by Metro West Collaborative Development/Civico Development, the development team of the Armory. The hearing was held on October 19, 2022. The next public hearing is tentatively scheduled for December with notice of the exact meeting date posted on the ZBA webpage. For more details and the hearing agendas please click HERE. On Monday, July 10, the City Council unanimously approved the project’s funding request of $3 million in CPA Community Housing Funds and $890,000 in the City’s Inclusionary Housing Funds. The City’s Planning and Development Board previously recommended the project’s request for a combined precommitment of $1,048,000 in the City’s FY24 and FY25 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Program Funds, which the Mayor recently approved. More project funding information can be found here. On June 22, Metro West/Civico received an approved Project Eligibility Letter from the Massachusetts Department of Housing & Community Development. This approval signifies that DHCD has determined that the Armory is an appropriate site for affordable housing and is a financially feasible project. Metro West/Civico will now prepare to begin the process of obtaining a Chapter 40B Comprehensive Permit from the City’s Zoning Board of Appeals. Metro West/Civico plans to redevelop the Armory into 43 units of intergenerational family housing, affordable to individuals and families with incomes ranging between 30% AMI and 60% AMI. The selected proposal can be found HERE. More information can be found on the Armory webpage. Contact Eamon Bencivengo at 617.796.1145 or [email protected]

• Housing Assistance & Eviction Diversion: Are you, or someone you know, having difficulty paying rent or facing eviction? Click on newtonma.gov/HousingHelp to explore resources for housing assistance and eviction diversion in Newton and Massachusetts. The city's resources are available in Spanish, Chinese, Arabic, Russian and Portuguese. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CDPB) recently created a new tool for renters and landlords to easily search for local rental assistance and to connect them to the state and local governments who are distributing the housing assistance funding. To access this tool, click here: consumerfinance.gov/renthelp FHA borrowers in need of mortgage relief should contact their mortgage servicer, request a COVID-19 forbearance, and ask their servicer to confirm the details of the agreement in writing. For additional help in understanding your options, contact a local HUD-approved housing counseling agency here: https://apps.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/hcc/hcs.cfm You can also contact the City of Newton’s Social Services at 617-796-1420 to work with city staff on which resources may be the best fit for you.

• New Affordable Housing Opportunities: Stay up-to-date on new affordable housing opportunities in Newton as they become available for rent or purchase. Click HERE to input your name and email address to receive the Planning Department’s Email Updates regarding available affordable housing units throughout the City. Contact Malcolm Lucas at 617.796.1149 or [email protected]
• Haywood House: Newton Housing Authority is accepting applications for the Haywood House Development in Newton, MA. These one bedroom one bathroom apartments will be available through a lottery . Request an application at [email protected] or call to 617-209-5220. There will be two informational sessions. Please CLICK HERE to view the flyer.
• The John W. Weeks House Caretaker Opportunity: Newton Community Development is accepting applications for a LIVE-IN PROPERTY/CARETAKER Position at the Weeks House. This is a two-bedroom one bathroom apartment that will be rent free. Resumes and letters of interest should be submitted to [email protected] or faxed to 617-244-2160. Should you have any questions or require additional information, contact Dave McMahon, Weeks House Property Manager at [email protected] or 617-964-8644
• The John W. Weeks House Housing: Newton Community Development Foundation is accepting applications for the one (1) bedroom WAITING LIST. Head of Household must be 62 or older or in need of a fully accessible apartment: A beautifully renovated gothic-revival junior high school with 67 mixed-income apartments for seniors who fall within the income guidelines. Situated on beautiful landscaped grounds, with an attractive lobby with three-story sun-lit atrium and a shared space for community gatherings. There is also an extensive Resident Services program, which offers on-site programs and services. Interested applicants should email [email protected] or call 617-244-4035 X 227 to obtain a Waitlist Application. As applicants reach the top of the Waiting Lists, they will be contacted by the Leasing Office to move forward in filling out a Lease Application. This units will be leased to income eligible applicants at an affordable price to households with income at 50% of the Area Median Income. For more information, please CLICK HERE
• Houghton Village: Newton Community Development Foundation is accepting applications for the WAITING LIST. Houghton Village is a 50-unit townhouse community located at 27-80 Hamlet Street in Newton Centre for its 2, 3 and 4-Bedrooms for the Workforce Housing Program (10 Units). Spacious apartments featuring washer/dryer hookup in unit, semi-private rear patio and all appliances included. Walking distance to MBTA, shopping and dining in Chestnut Hill and Newton Centre. Households must be income eligible for the program which is financed under the guidelines of MassHousing. Rents are established at below market rates and do not charge based on applicant’s income. Interested applicants should email [email protected] or call (617) 244-5196 to obtain a Waitlist Application. For more information, please click here
• Myrtle Village: Newton Community Development Foundation is accepting applications for the WAITING LIST. Myrtle Village is located in West Newton, MA. Interested applicants should email [email protected] or call (617) 244-2160 to obtain a Waitlist Application. As applicants reach the top of the Waiting Lists, they will be contacted by the Leasing Office to move forward in filling out a Lease Application. This units will be leased to income eligible applicants at an affordable price to households with incomes at 50, 80 and 85% of the Area Median Income. For more information, please click here

• Housing Navigator Massachusetts – A New Way to Search for Affordable Housing: Housing Navigator Massachusetts is a new searchable database for affordable housing across the state. Recently launched, this online search tool will track about 160,000 affordable units across 260 cities and towns within Massachusetts and will add more in the future. Those looking for affordable housing (including some middle-income units), including renters, emergency shelter, and supportive housing providers, will be able to search and filter the database based on income, eligibility, availability, and number of bedrooms. Users will also be able to filter the search by area or town to see what housing may be available in their desired area. Click the following link to access the Navigator tool: https://search.housingnavigatorma.org/
•  Baker-Polito Administration’s COVID-19 Eviction Diversion Initiative: In response to the expiration of the state’s eviction and foreclosure moratorium on October 17th, the Baker-Polito Administration announced the COVID-19 Eviction Diversion Initiative, a comprehensive set of expanded resources for renters, homeowners, and landlords facing eviction, foreclosure, loss of utilities and other housing emergencies due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The goal of this $171 million initiative is to keep tenants safely in their homes and to support the ongoing expenses of landlords. Services provided by the initiative include rental and mortgage assistance, legal aid, housing counseling, and post-eviction rapid rehousing through new and expanded programs. If you are struggling to make rent or mortgage payments, call 2-1-1 to speak with trained staff or visit www.mass.gov/CovidHousingHelp for additional questions and more information.
• Sign Up for Mayor Fuller’s Email Updates: Looking for the latest news about happenings at City Hall and around Newton? Click the icon to the right or input your email address HERE to receive Mayor Ruthanne Fuller’s Email Updates. To see archived editions of the Mayor’s Email Updates, visit the City of Newton website at www.newtonma.gov