Newton Identifies Six Possible Sites for Tabled Engine 6 Project: Report

NEWTON, MA - The City of Newton has identified six possible locations to convert into housing for the chronically homeless as part of a conciliatory agreement reached last year.

The city came to an agreement with affordable housing advocates after Newton Mayor Setti Warren denied funding to a project that would have converted the former Fire Station 6 house in Waban into housing for the homeless. The proposal was met with intense backlash from Waban residents.

Groups supporting the project filed an official complaint with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the two sides settled last June.

As part of the agreement, the city had to develop an Action Plan and identify at least five potential sites for the Engine 6 project, which would develop 9-12 units for chronically homeless households.

The following six locations were listed as possibilities and sent by email to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The emails were first published last week by the Newton TAB:

1. Jewish Community Housing for Elderly Gold Meir project expansion - up to 10 possible units of new construction
2. Newton Housing Authority - 91 Christina St. - existing single family home, can be converted into a duplex with the addition of one unit
3. Newton Housing Authority - 23 Considine St. - existing single family home, can be converted into a duplex with the addition of one unit
4. Newton Housing Authority - 68-70 Wyman St. - one existing one-bedroom unit can be allotted for chronically homeless
5. Newton Housing Authority - 60-80 Thurston Rd. - can fit five additional units
6. 424-432 Cherry St. - privately owned property containing a historic building - can fit more than 10 new units with refurbishment and new construction