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A NEW YEAR, NEW CHALLENGES
Greetings!
LDS has wrapped up its 10th year in business with a flurry of interesting work. Projects have included a senior rental housing market study, a homeless housing and services needs assessments, and a multifamily rental housing study. Market-rate rental housing rebounds At the end of 2010, LDS saw a return to market-rate multifamily housing development in Massachusetts. This was accompanied by increased rental occupancies, fewer incentives and higher rental rates in the Greater Boston area. LDS welcomes new clients
Last fall, LDS was pleased to provide services to a growing list of clients. Among the new clients were Sundin & Sons, Harborlight Community Partners, Chestnut Hill Realty, and the Cape Ann Clergy Association.
LDS reaches milestones
LDS has upgraded to the new Office 2010. This will allow the firm to integrate new formatting into its studies. LDS has also been approved as a Market Study provider for the Tennessee Housing Development Agency. |
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LDS Wraps Up Homeless Housing Needs Study in Cape Ann
LDS is putting the finishing touches on a Homeless Housing Needs Assessment commissioned by the Cape Ann Clergy Association and is preparing to present its findings to stakeholders on February 24, 2011. The project has included documenting regional housing and services currently provided to homeless individuals, identifying gaps in housing and services, analyzing demographics, and quantifying the roles churches play in support of homeless and low-income adults in crisis. To obtain this information, more than 50 local stakeholders have been interviewed.
Through research, LDS learned about the grim side of the economic recession, finding that many families live on the margins. There is, however, an overwhelming effort among social service and faith-based organizations to create partnerships and pool resources to take care of their community members in need. LDS would like to thank everyone who made our work possible and to commend the Cape Ann community on its tremendous efforts.
The Citizens' Housing and Planning Association is interested in LDS's study findings and hopes to encourage local providers to meet with the Secretary of the Executive Office for Administration and Finance Jay Gonzalez and share their experiences on the front lines in Cape Ann. |
Studies Done for New Clients in Chestnut Hill and Holden
Chestnut Hill Realty hired LDS to provide market research services in connection with its planning efforts to create new rental housing on Independence Drive in Brookline and Boston. LDS was asked to focus its study on the project's 250 to 260 age-restricted rental units.
The Holden study conducted by LDS focused on the proposed 192-unit affordable rental development Winterberry Hollow. The study examined the project's location, included a competitive rental analysis, and provided information on unit finishes and amenities as well as common area amenities. |
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Municipal Services
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Town of Georgetown Housing Production Plan: LDS is pleased to be working again with the Town of Georgetown and its newly formed Affordable Housing Trust on a five-year Housing Production Plan. Eunice Kim, who is in her final semester in Tufts University's Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning program, will be assisting LDS on this work. - Town of Hingham 40B Permitting: The consulting team has been making great progress toward preparing a comprehensive permit application for the Hingham Affordable Housing Trust. There is a lot of excitement around the model of creating small cottage homes in a pedestrian-friendly community. LDS has been working on the concept with the team and trust and is drafting the financial projections and the site approval application to the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD).
Other Services
- Rent Comparison Study: LDS completed a rent comparison study for Whalers Place apartments in New Bedford, Massachusetts.
- 40B Consulting Services: LDS is providing 40B consulting services to a local contractor on a small homeownership development in Seekonk, Massachusetts.
- Expert Witness Services: LDS is preparing for a trial on March 15, 2011 on an appeal by an abutter who opposes Cambridge Housing Authority's proposed affordable multifamily rental housing development in Central Square, Cambridge. LDS has also provided a deposition in the case.
- Senior Housing Study: LDS is working on a supply and demand analysis for senior housing on Cape Ann. The study focuses on the need for affordable assisted living and senior housing with services.
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LDS is currently taking reservations for market studies for the spring Massachusetts DHCD funding round, which is due on March 31, 2011.
In response to the increased number of funding rounds to which clients have to apply, LDS is working hard to customize its work requests to ensure clients' needs are met within their budget. |
As always, LDS is looking to partner with clients and consultants on new projects.
Please feel free to contact us at info@ldsconsultinggroup.com or 617-454-1144.
We hope you are staying warm and dry this winter.
Sincerely,
Lynne D. Sweet
Managing Member
LDS Consulting Group, LLC 233 Needham Street, Newton, MA |
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