Baker-Polito Administration Awards $118 Million for Affordable Housing Production & Preservation
On July 18, Governor Baker announced the 2019 rental housing awards, which will provide $118 million in funding for 28 projects to fund the development, renovation and preservation of housing opportunities throughout Massachusetts.
The awards will support the construction and preservation of 1,581 homes, including 1,349 affordable homes, with 273 units reserved for extremely low-income households.
The funding will support affordable, multifamily rental projects. Funding sources include $80 million from state bond funds from capital bond accounts reauthorized as part of last year's $1.8 billion Housing Bond Bill as well as federal HOME funds. Additionally, the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) is awarding $38 million in federal and state low income housing tax credits, which will help generate more than $260 million in equity to support these projects.
Funded projects include five developments for seniors, two projects that will support substantial renovations of public housing developments, and three transit-oriented developments. Many include housing units reserved for formerly homeless families and individuals.
2019 Awardees:
Cabot Street (Beverly) is an existing single-room occupancy (SRO) project located in the city’s central business district. The sponsor is the non-profit YMCA of the North Shore. The project will rehabilitate 45 existing SRO units and construct 24 new SRO units. DHCD will support the project with federal and state low-income housing tax credits (LIHTC) as well as subsidy funds. The City of Beverly will also support the project with local funding. When construction is completed, Cabot Street will offer 69 total SRO units. All units will be restricted for individuals earning less than 60% of area median income (AMI), with 20 units further restricted for individuals earning less than 30% of AMI.
Bartlett Station Building A (Boston) is part of a multi-phase redevelopment of a former MBTA lot in Roxbury. The sponsor is the non-profit Nuestra Comunidad Development Corporation. DHCD will support the project with LIHTC and subsidy funds, and the City of Boston also will support the project with local funding. When completed, this phase of Bartlett Station will offer 42 new rental units. Thirty units will be affordable to households earning less than 60% of AMI. Twelve units will be further restricted for extremely low-income households earning less than 30% of AMI. When fully redeveloped, Bartlett Station will transform an underutilized urban site into a mixed-use, mixed-income, mixed-tenure community, with over 300 new homes – affordable, workforce and market rate – and space for community activities and commercial and retail businesses.
Dudley Terrace Apartments (Boston) is an existing scattered-site occupied project located in the Dorchester neighborhood. The sponsor is the non-profit Dorchester Bay Economic Development Corporation. The project will fully renovate 56 rental units. DHCD will support the project with LIHTC and subsidy funds, and the City of Boston will support the project with additional local funding. When completed, Dudley Terrace Apartments will offer 56 units of affordable rental housing to households earning less than 60% of AMI. Twenty units will be further restricted for extremely low-income households earning less than 30% of AMI, including formerly homeless households.
Holtzer Park (Boston) is a new construction transit-oriented housing project for families located in the Jamaica Plain neighborhood. The sponsor is the non-profit Urban Edge. DHCD will support the project with federal and state LIHTC and subsidy funds. The City of Boston will support the project with additional local funding. When completed, Holtzer Park will offer 62 new rental units. Fifty-four units will be reserved for households earning less than 60% of AMI, including thirteen units further restricted for households earning less than 30% of AMI, including formerly homeless households.
Old Colony Phase Three B4 (Boston) is part of the ongoing redevelopment of an 840+ unit public housing project in the South Boston neighborhood. The sponsor, Beacon Communities, is working with the Boston Housing Authority (BHA). DHCD will support this phase of Old Colony with federal and state LIHTC and subsidy funds with additional support from the City of Boston with local funding. The project is transit-oriented and located in proximity to extensive park and recreation areas and Boston Harbor beaches. When completed, this phase of Old Colony will offer 88 total units. All units will be affordable to households earning less than 60% of AMI. Nine units will be further restricted for extremely low-income households earning less than 30% of AMI, including formerly homeless families.
Old Colony Phase Three B9 (Boston) is also part of the ongoing redevelopment of an 840+ unit public housing project located in South Boston. The sponsor is Beacon Communities, working with the Boston Housing Authority (BHA). DHCD will support this phase of Old Colony with federal low-income housing tax credits and subsidy funds. The city of Boston also will support this phase with funds. The project is transit-oriented and located in close proximity to extensive park and recreation areas and Boston Harbor beaches. When completed, this phase of Old Colony will offer 27 total units affordable to households earning less than 60% of AMI. Three units will be further restricted for extremely low-income households earning less than 30% of AMI, including formerly homeless families.
Olmsted Green Rental Phase IV (Boston) is a new construction project and one of the final phases of the redevelopment of the former Boston State Hospital site located in the Mattapan neighborhood. Sponsored by the New Boston Fund, this phase of the project will offer 47 total units. Forty units will be restricted to households earning less than 60% of AMI with eight units further restricted to households earning less than 30% of AMI, including formerly homeless households. DHCD will support the project with LIHTC and subsidy funds, and the City of Boston also will provide additional funding.
Parcel 25 Phase 2 (Boston) is a new construction transit-oriented housing project for families located in the Mission Hill neighborhood. The project will be located one block from an MBTA subway stop and several major bus routes. The sponsor is the non-profit Mission Hill Neighborhood Housing Services. DHCD will support the project with federal and state LIHTC and subsidy funds. The City of Boston will also support the project with local funding. When completed, Parcel 25 Phase 2 will offer 46 total units. Forty-three units will be affordable to households earning less than 60% of AMI, including eight units further restricted for extremely low-income families earning less than 30% of AMI, including formerly homeless families.
Whittier Choice Neighborhood Phase 2 (Boston) is part of the ongoing major redevelopment of a significant public housing project in need of significant rehabilitation. The sponsor is the non-profit Preservation of Affordable Housing. This new construction phase of the project will be located on a site near Melnea Cass Boulevard and Tremont Street. DHCD will support this phase of Whittier with federal and state LIHTC and subsidy funds. The City of Boston also will support the project with local funding. When completed, this phase of Whittier will offer 52 new rental units. Thirty-one units will be restricted for households earning less than 60% of AMI. Six units will be further restricted for households earning less than 30% of AMI, including formerly homeless families.
St. Therese Condo I (Everett) is part of a two-phase new construction project. The non-profit sponsor is The Neighborhood Developers (TND). The two-phase project consists of the redevelopment of a site as low-income housing with services for seniors. DHCD will support the project with low-income housing tax credits and subsidy funds. The city of Everett also will support the project with funds. When completed, St. Therese Condo I will feature 44 units, all of which will be affordable to seniors earning less than 60% of AMI. Eight units will be further restricted for extremely low-income seniors earning less than 30% of AMI, including formerly homeless seniors.
St. Therese Condo II also is part of a two-phase new construction project in Everett. The non-profit sponsor is The Neighborhood Developers (TND). The two-phase project consists of the redevelopment of a site as low-income housing with services for seniors. DHCD will support the project with low-income housing tax credits and subsidy funds. The city of Everett also will provide support for the project with funds. When completed, St. Therese Condo II will feature 33 units, all of which will be affordable to seniors earning less than 60% of AMI. Six units will be further restricted for extremely low-income seniors earning less than 30% of AMI.
Megansett Crossing (Falmouth) is a new construction housing project for families. The sponsor is Michael Galasso (Megansett Crossing LLC). DHCD will support the project with subsidy funds. The town of Falmouth also will support the project with Community Preservation Act funds. When completed, Megansett Crossing will offer 10 total units, three of which will be affordable for families earning less than 80% of AMI.
Moran Square Redevelopment (Fitchburg) is a housing project involving the adaptive re-use of two historic buildings and the construction of a new five-story building. The project will create new mixed-income units and commercial/retail space in downtown Fitchburg. The project sponsor is Jon Rudzinski (Rees-Larkin Development LLC). DHCD will support the project with federal and state LIHTC and subsidy funds, and the City of Fitchburg will support the project with local HOME funds. When completed, the project will offer 44 new rental units. Twenty units will be affordable to households earning less than 60% of AMI, with five units further restricted for extremely low-income households earning less than 30% of AMI.
Harbor Village (Gloucester) is a mixed-use project consisting of affordable rental units and ground-floor commercial/retail space in the city’s downtown district. The sponsor is the non-profit North Shore Community Development Coalition. The Department will support the project with federal LIHTC and subsidy funds, and the City of Gloucester also will support the project with local funds, including Community Preservation Act funds. When completed, the project will offer 30 new units. All 30 units will be affordable to households earning less than 60% of AMI, with eight units further restricted for extremely low-income households earning less than 30% of AMI.
Depot Village (Hanson) is a new construction housing project for families. The sponsor is Dakota Properties. DHCD will support the project with federal and state LIHTC and subsidy funds. When completed, Depot Village, located near an MBTA commuter rail stop, will create 48 new rental units. All 48 units will be affordable to households earning less than 60% of AMI, including five units further restricted for extremely low-income households earning less than 30% of AMI.
PAC 10 Lofts Phase II (Lawrence) is the continuation of the adaptive re-use of a historic mill project. The sponsor is Reed Community Partners, LLC. DHCD will support the project with federal and state LIHTC and subsidy funds. The City of Lawrence will support the project with local funding. The completed project will offer 96 new rental units. Sixty-three units will be affordable to households earning less than 60% of AMI, with ten units further restricted for extremely low-income households earning less than 30% of AMI.
Sirk and Chestnut Square Redevelopment (Lowell) is a preservation project with two existing occupied projects in need of rehabilitation. The non-profit sponsor is The Caleb Foundation. DHCD will support the rehabilitation of the properties with LIHTC and project-based rental assistance. When the rehabilitation work is completed, Sirk and Chestnut Square will offer 87 total units. Seventy-one units will be restricted for individuals or families earning less than 60% of AMI, with eight units further restricted for extremely low-income households earning less than 30% of AMI.
Lunenburg Senior Living (Lunenberg) is a new construction housing project located on the site of a former amusement park. The sponsor is Great Bridge Properties. The sponsor already has completed two successful phases of affordable rental housing on the Lunenburg site. DHCD will support the project with LIHTC and subsidy funds. When completed, Lunenburg Senior Living will offer 70 new rental units for seniors. Fifty-six units will be restricted for seniors earning less than 60% of AMI, with eight units further restricted for extremely low-income seniors earning less than 30% of AMI. Support services will be available at Lunenburg Senior Living.
Broadway Building (Methuen) is a new construction housing project for families to be built in downtown Methuen. The sponsor is DS Development LLC. DHCD will support the project with federal and state LIHTC and subsidy funds, and the City of Methuen will support the project with local HOME funds. When completed, Broadway Building will offer 40 new rental units, all of which will be affordable to households earning less than 60% of AMI. Four units will further be restricted for extremely low-income households earning less than 30% of AMI.
The Tannery (Peabody) is an existing occupied housing project. Winn Development will purchase and rehabilitate the project as DHCD’s designee under provisions of the state’s preservation law, Chapter 40T. DHCD will support the project with federal and state LIHTC and subsidy funds. MassHousing will also support the project, which was originally financed through Chapter 13A, with subsidy funds. In addition, the City of Peabody will also provide local funding. When rehabilitation is complete, the Tannery will offer 284 total units, with 200 units reserved for households earning less than 60% of AMI. Thirty-five units will be further restricted for households earning less than 30% of AMI.
Terrapin Ridge (Sandwich) is a new construction housing project for families. The Women’s Institute is the non-profit sponsor. DHCD will support the project with LIHTC and subsidy funds. The Town of Sandwich will support the project with $1.4 million in Community Preservation Act funds. When completed, Terrapin Ridge will offer 30 new rental units. All units will be restricted for households earning less than 60% of AMI, with 14 units further restricted for extremely low-income households earning less than 30% of AMI.
Lawson Green (Scituate) is a new construction housing project for seniors located next to the newly renovated and expanded public library. The sponsor is The Grantham Group, LLC. DHCD will support the project with federal LIHTC and subsidy funds, and the Town of Scituate will support the project with $2.5 million in Community Preservation Act funds. When completed, Lawson Green will offer 30 new rental units, all of which will be affordable to senior households earning less than 60% of AMI. Eight units will be further restricted for extremely low-income senior households earning less than 30% of AMI. Support services for seniors will be available at Lawson Green.
Wells School Apartments (Southbridge) is the adaptive reuse of a former Southbridge school into affordable housing for residents age 55 and over. The sponsor is Arch Communities LLC. DHCD will support the project with federal and state LIHTC and subsidy funds. When completed, the project will offer 56 new rental units, all of which will be affordable to households earning less than 60% of AMI. Six units will be further restricted for extremely low-income households earning less than 30% of AMI.
Senior Residences at The Machon (Swampscott) is a redevelopment project of a vacant elementary school located across from a park and near the senior center and high school. The sponsor is the non-profit B’nai B’rith Housing New England, Inc. DHCD will support the project with federal LIHTC and subsidy funds. When completed, the project will offer 38 new rental units, all of which will be affordable to senior households earning less than 60% of AMI. Eight units will be further restricted for extremely low-income senior households earning less than 30% of AMI. B’nai B’rith will offer support services at the Machon for residents.
Walker School Apartments (Taunton) is a historic rehabilitation project for seniors. The sponsor is the non-profit Affordable Housing and Collaborative Services, Inc. DHCD will support the project with federal and state LIHTC and subsidy funds. The City of Taunton will also provide local funding to support the project. When completed, Walker School Apartments will offer 40 units, all of which will be affordable to seniors earning less than 60% of AMI. Sixteen units will be further restricted for extremely low-income seniors earning less than 30% of AMI. The new residents of the project also will be able to access support services tailored to seniors’ needs.
Cole Avenue (Williamstown) is a new construction housing project on a town-owned, former industrial site located near the Hoosic River. The sponsor is the non-profit Berkshire Housing Development Corp. DHCD will support the project with federal LIHTC and subsidy funds, and the Town of Williamstown will provide additional funds through the Community Preservation Act. When completed, Cole Avenue will offer 41 new rental units. Thirty-eight will be affordable to households earning less than 60% of AMI, with eight units will be further restricted for extremely low-income households earning less than 30% of AMI.
126 Chandler (Worcester) is a new construction and adaptive re-use housing project. The project will revitalize a long-vacant mill building and construct new units in the Piedmont neighborhood of Worcester. The sponsor is the non-profit Worcester Common Ground. DHCD will support the project with federal and state LIHTC and subsidy funds, and the City of Worcester will support the project with local HOME funds. When completed, the project will offer 31 total units, all of which will be affordable to households earning less than 60% of AMI. Nine units will be further restricted for extremely low-income households earning less than 30% of AMI.
Residences at Yarmouth Gardens (Yarmouth) is a new construction project for families. The sponsor is Commonwealth Community Developers, LLC. DHCD will support the project with federal and state LIHTC and subsidy funds, and the Town of Yarmouth will provide $1.2 million in Community Preservation Act funds. When completed, the Residences at Yarmouth Gardens will offer 40 new rental units. All units will be affordable to households earning less than 60% of AMI, with eight units further restricted for households earning less than 30% of AMI.