2024 Projects
In 2024, CEDAC continued to play a critical role in the development of affordable housing with nonprofit partners across the Commonwealth through early-stage project financing and technical assistance. CEDAC also worked closely with state, city and local leaders to help implement innovative solutions and increase production of long-term affordable housing for our residents.
Through our affiliate, Children's Investment Fund (CIF), our work also extended to the expansion and improvement of early education facilities, serving low income families in cities around the state. We hope you enjoy learning more about the projects highlighted here, as they demonstrate CEDAC's commitment to build stronger communities in Massachusetts.
Coalition for a Better Acre (CBA), a community development corporation that seeks to develop and revitalize Lowell neighborhoods, acquired the former site of the Lowell House Addiction and Treatment Recovery Offices with acquisition and predevelopment financing from CEDAC. CBA developed a new 27-unit permanent supportive housing project, with a focus on serving individuals recovering from addiction. The project is in partnership with Lowell House Addiction Treatment and Recovery, which provides supportive services to residents in the form of recovery coaches and a full-time, on-site case manager.
Abby Kelly Foster House, Inc. received an award of Housing Innovation Funds (HIF) from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC), administered by CEDAC, to renovate and expand its existing shelter in Worcester that it has owned and operated since 1976. The project provides shelter and critical services to low-income women and children who have experienced homelessness, including survivors of domestic violence. The renovations allowed them to modernize and expand the building, ultimately increasing the number of beds from nine to 18 and providing shelter guests with their own private spaces.
Click above to watch a short video on this project
HMLP committed a $50,000 loan which allowed the Arnold family to convert one of their home's living rooms into a first-floor space for their daughter. The project included the development of a bedroom and fully accessible bathroom. Jordan, the Arnold's 9 year-old daughter, was diagnosed at birth with Spinal Muscular Atrophy, and she uses a wheelchair to navigate her world. The modifications have not only improved Jordan's maneuverability around her home, but it has increased her confidence and independence. The family worked closely with Valley Community Development, the HMLP Provider serving most communities in Hampden and Hampshire counties. Learn more about the Arnold family's story in the video above.
Increased energy efficiency and accessibility were the cornerstones of the Cape Cod Children's Place's project in North Eastham. The replacement of 36 windows and four skylights has allowed for more operable windows and increased natural light throughout the center. Prior to the project, individuals with varying physical abilities were not able to easily access the pathway to the center's play space. Now, with the addition of three automatic doors throughout the building and a paved pathway, accessibility challenges have been significantly alleviated, creating a more welcoming environment. This improved accessibility can also be found in the upgrades of three bathrooms including the installation of accessible fixtures.
Developed by Fenway Community Development Corporation in Boston, Burbank Terrace was supported by municipal, state, and quasi-public funding. The transit-oriented project consists of a six-story building that holds 27 affordable housing units, with rents capped at or below 60% Area Median Income (AMI). The infill development is also situated close to grocery stores, medical facilities and schools.
For over 50 years, Crispus Attucks Children's Center (CACC) has provided quality care to nearly 240 infants, toddlers and preschoolers on its vibrant Dorchester campus, consisting of two buildings and spacious outdoor playgrounds. CACC completed the third phase of capital improvements, utilizing grant funds to upgrade the buildings' aging life safety and security systems and replace obsolete HVAC equipment. Accessibility upgrades throughout the building ensure that all can access and enjoy the facilities. Additionally, CACC has re-imagined its outdoor play spaces, adding trike tracks and new playground equipment, along with a large splash pad for summer fun. The center has also upgraded its commercial kitchen to create fresh meals, and educators now benefit from a renovated restroom and break room to prepare their lessons.
CEDAC provided Home City Development, Inc. with early-stage funding to redevelop a long-vacant former textile mill that was destroyed by a fire in 2003. Located in the South End area of Springfield, the new development, Gemini Townhomes, provides affordable, energy efficient townhouse style condominiums for first time homebuyers. The 40 new condominiums include 24 two-bedroom units and 16 three-bedroom units, two of which will be reserved for homebuyers with mobility, vision, or hearing impairments. Eight of the homes will be sold to households earning up to 80% of AMI and 32 homes will be sold to homebuyers earning up to 100% of AMI.
Grace Apartments is a seven-story building developed by the East Boston Community Development Corporation (EBCDC) that provides 42 units of 100% affordable rental housing for older adults in the Maverick Square neighborhood of East Boston. Ten units are reserved for residents with incomes at or below 30% of area median income, five of which are dedicated to formerly homeless individuals. The development also includes wellness services for residents and is located close to public transportation.
As part of its mission to help provide affordable housing options in the local community, YMCA of the North Shore, Inc. leveraged predevelopment financing from CEDAC to demolish and redevelop 71 Middle Street, the former home to the Cape Ann YMCA, into 44 units of affordable senior rental housing. Located in the downtown historic district of Gloucester, and in close proximity to many amenities as well as public transportation, the new development offers one-bedroom apartments and supportive services for those age 62 and over.
Preservation of Affordable Housing developed 50 units of mixed-income housing for older adults as part of the Bartlett Station mixed use redevelopment near Nubian Square in Roxbury. The Kenzi is Boston's first all-electric building over four stories, with a City-permitted emergency battery energy storage system and a rooftop solar array. The building also includes a community art gallery space and offers an on-site community wellness team staffed by Boston Medical Center. As part of the development, CEDAC invested funds from a health care financing initiative spearheaded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the Center for Community Investment and Boston Medical Center.
CEDAC delivered financing and technical assistance to nonprofit partner, Harborlight Homes, in its development of Maple Woods, which provides 45 units of affordable housing for seniors 62+ in Wenham. This permanent supportive housing also offers a number of important services designed to allow the residents to thrive in their new homes. Through a partnership with SeniorCare, Inc., the local regional Aging Services Access Point (ASAP), residents can access on-site health care services and in-home support, enabling them to live independently at home. Common spaces at Maple Woods include a community room with kitchen, laundry facilities, flexible space for visiting health care services, a computer room, a hair salon, a library and office space. In addition, common outdoor space includes community gardens and a terrace.
Bethany Community Services utilized predevelopment financing from CEDAC to expand its Merrivista campus in downtown Haverhill to create Merrimack Corner, a new development that provides 48 units of affordable housing for older adults. The building opened to residents in September 2024, making it the first large-scale housing development on downtown Haverhill's Water Street in more than 50 years. Merrimack Corner features a large community space, fitness room, and health and wellness center, and is also connected by a sky bridge to the main Merrivista building, which allows residents to take advantage of expanded services.
The North Shore Community Development Coalition (CDC) acquired and redeveloped three buildings in Salem's Point Neighborhood to preserve the homes of existing tenants and to create 18 units of permanent supportive housing for low-income families. CEDAC provided predevelopment and acquisition financing to support North Shore CDC in renovating the buildings to provide 10 two-bedroom apartments and eight three-bedroom apartments, with all units targeted to families with incomes at 50% AMI or lower.
Preservation of Affordable Housing (POAH) leveraged acquisition financing from CEDAC to purchase Northside Village, an existing affordable rental development for older adults in the Cape Cod Town of Dennis. In doing so, POAH preserved long-term affordability for the building's 46 units in a community where the cost of housing continues to rise. The property is conveniently located across the street from a small grocery store and within walking distance to the Dennis town center, where residents have access to amenities like the Cape Cod Museum of Art and Dennis Memorial Library. POAH plans to modernize the building's operating systems and equipment in the future to ensure healthy homes with low environmental impacts.
B'nai B'rith Housing secured commitments of HIF and other funding awards from EOHLC that were used to develop this transit-oriented, three-story building with 60 units of affordable multifamily housing in West Roxbury. Forty-five of the apartments are reserved for residents making at or below 60% AMI, including 15 units for households at or below 30% AMI. Fifteen units are restricted for those making at or below 100% AMI.
As part of its continued effort to address homelessness in the city, the Worcester Housing Authority (WHA) developed a 25-unit building in the Main South neighborhood of Worcester that provides permanent supportive housing and wraparound services for chronically homeless individuals. Using predevelopment financing from CEDAC, the WHA created 24 fully furnished studio apartments, as well as a one-bedroom unit for a resident manager. The building includes a community room, shared laundry facilities, and private meeting space. Case management services are provided directly by the WHA, who assists residents with accessing benefits and referrals to community-based services.
With the support of an EEOST grant, the Attleboro Norton YMCA completely redesigned its early childhood education space. Renovations included installing accessible, child-height sinks in each classroom and converting an adult bathroom into a children's bathroom to be used by several classrooms. A key focus was enhancing the air circulation system which involved replacing 30 windows to ensure they are all fully operable. West Work Architects, in collaboration with Norian/Siani Engineering, worked with the YMCA to replace the outdated rooftop unit and install ductless units in each classroom, creating improved ventilation. In addition, important for both staff and children, a dedicated entrance and exit area with secure doors and keypads connecting to additional areas of the building addressed the need for enhanced safety for the child care program.
Just-A-Start (JAS) Corporation sponsored Rindge Commons, a mixed-use transit-oriented infill development near Alewife. JAS built a new, six-story structure, which includes 24 affordable apartments located above 40,000 square feet of non-residential office space. The office space will be primarily tenanted by JAS for its education and training facilities, as well as additional program space and administrative offices all under one roof. The project will co-locate Pre-K classrooms, with priority enrollment for residents living in Rindge Commons.
Way Finders leveraged predevelopment funding from CEDAC to develop Rosewood Way, a new mixed-income housing project in Agawam, which provides 62 apartment units. Twenty units will be for households with incomes up to 30% AMI, 27 units up to 60% AMI and 10 units for those earning between 60% and 110% AMI. The remaining five units will be offered at market rates.
Created by the Cutchins Programs for Children and Families, Three Rivers is the only Clinically Intensive Residential Treatment Program (CIRT) in Massachusetts, serving children 6-12 years-old and their families. The trauma-informed treatment model is rooted in supporting the ability to experience and learn the fundamental skills that develop in relationships with others. The program first opened in 1999 in Springfield with support from the FCF program. CEDAC provided additional FCF funds to support Cutchins in relocating the Three Rivers program from the Springfield property, which had become unsuitable, to a brand-new facility in Belchertown that offers more functional residential and program space, as well as access to a bucolic outdoor setting. The program can now serve up to 12 children in a residential dorm facility, with classroom, therapeutic, and administrative space located in a separate building on the site.
Located in Holyoke, Voces de Esperanza, developed by Valley Opportunity Council (VOC), provides 37 affordable housing units across two buildings, one of which is historic. This family project offers one, two, and three-bedrooms units, with all units targeted for families with incomes below 60% AMI, including 14 units for those earning up to 50% AMI, and 10 units up to 30% AMI. CEDAC supported VOC with predevelopment and Housing Innovations Fund (HIF) state bond financing to renovate and preserve the buildings. Renovations included kitchen and bathroom upgrades, new flooring, carpeting, windows and doors – and also the conversion of a vacant commercial unit on the ground floor to one new unit of housing.
