We live just down Walnut from Austin Street. If housing development there causes traffic or parking issues, I will feel it personally. So why do I support homeownership on the city-owned site, and in particular B’nai B’rith’s proposal? Because that proposal addresses two challenges facing Newtonville — the need for a thriving business district, and lack of homeownership affordable to young families and downsizing seniors.

Housing adjacent to shopping and close to transit supports restaurants and shops with foot traffic. Businesses that are already there benefit, and new businesses have a reason to open in vacant storefronts.

According to City figures, out of 32,000 housing units, we have approximately 50 committed affordable homeownership units counting towards Newton’s housing stock. If we want young people returning to start a family, or downsizing empty nesters staying here, we need more moderately priced homeownership. The B’nai B’rith plan does that, including affordable, moderate and market rate options…more.