Tag: DHCD

Baker-Polito Administration And CEDAC Award Funds To 11 New Supportive Housing Projects

CEDAC committed predevelopment or acquisition financing to 6 of these projects – BOSTON, July 20, 2022 – The Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation (CEDAC) is proud to serve as a financing partner in the production or preservation of 11 supportive housing projects announced during the Baker-Polito Administration’s most recent Supportive Housing funding round.

CEDAC housing team joins Secretary Kennealy, Undersecretary Maddox and Kate Racer at the supportive housing announcements in Worcester.

CEDAC committed predevelopment or acquisition financing to 6 of these projects

BOSTON, July 20, 2022 – The Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation (CEDAC) is proud to serve as a financing partner in the production or preservation of 11 supportive housing projects announced during the Baker-Polito Administration’s most recent Supportive Housing funding round. The new projects represent 437 units of supportive housing and will provide essential shelter and care for individuals and families in need across the Commonwealth. CEDAC committed a total of over $5 million in early-stage financing for the production and preservation of six of these supportive housing projects.

“CEDAC is proud to collaborate with the Baker-Polito Administration and our non-profit housing partners on these new developments, which come at a time of intense need as the Commonwealth faces an ongoing housing shortage that affects the most vulnerable members of our population,” said Roger Herzog, CEDAC’s Executive Director. “We look forward to continuing our work with Undersecretary Jennifer Maddox and her team at the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) as we pursue our mission to increase housing accessibility for those in need.”

CEDAC provided predevelopment and/or acquisition loans to the following projects:

  • Warren Street Housing, Boston: Commonwealth Land Trust, Inc. acquired two buildings, located at 570 and 570R Warren Street in the Grove Hall section of Dorchester, for renovation. The developer will create 26 single room occupancy (SRO) units of permanent supportive housing for vulnerable individuals. The site is located one block from Blue Hill Avenue and one-half mile from Franklin Park. All units will be affordable to individuals at or below 50% of the area median income (AMI), including 13 reserved for formerly homeless individuals at or below 30% AMI. CEDAC provided a predevelopment loan of $300,000 for the project.
  • Manley Housing Resource Center (Phase 1), Brockton: Father Bill’s & Main Spring (FBMS) will renovate and expand the former U.S. Army Reserve Center at 124 Manley Street in Brockton, which has been vacant since 2015, to create the Manley Housing Resource Center (MHRC), a multi-use facility that will provide emergency shelter, wrap-around supportive services, and permanent supportive housing, all in one location. The MHRC will be developed in two phases. The first phase, which is the subject of this award, will consist of the renovation of the U.S Army Reserve Center into a 128-bed emergency shelter and a day program center with an on-site health clinic. A 1,500-square-foot addition will house case management offices and supportive service space. CEDAC provided a predevelopment loan of $400,000 for the project.
  • Catalyst Housing, Lynn: Harborlight Community Partners, Inc. (HCP) and The Haven Project (THP) have entered into a joint venture agreement to acquire and renovate the third and fourth floors of a historic loft building located at 57 Munroe Street in downtown Lynn. The partnership will create 23 studio units for formerly homeless unaccompanied youth and one studio resident manager unit. Twenty-three units will be affordable to youth earning less than 30% of area median income. CEDAC provided a predevelopment loan of $256,252 for the project.
  • 275 Chestnut Street, Springfield: In early 2020, Home City Development Inc. (HCDI) completed construction of 101 enhanced SRO units in the four upper floors of the former YMCA building located on Chestnut Street in Springfield. HCDI is now planning to purchase an additional section of the building and will use this space on the first and second floors to create 29 additional enhanced SRO units. CEDAC provided a predevelopment loan of $220,000 and committed acquisition financing of $350,000.
  • New Point Family Apartments, Salem: North Shore Community Development Coalition’s (NSCDC) project involves the acquisition and preservation of 18 units of naturally occurring affordable housing for families in three buildings in Salem’s Point neighborhood. The project will create long term affordability where none currently exists and will fund much needed capital improvements including enhanced energy efficiency. As the occupied units turnover, NSCDC will lease the apartments to homeless families and provide supportive services. CEDAC provided predevelopment loans totaling $437,100 and an acquisition loan of $2,874,400.
  • Gordon H. Mansfield Veterans Community, Tewkesbury: Soldier On, Inc. entered into a development agreement to purchase a 1.5-acre parcel of land at 1660 Main Street in Tewksbury to construct 21 units of permanent supportive housing for veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. The project will consist of 18 one-bedroom units and three studios all affordable to households earning less than 80% of area median income, including six restricted for households earning less than 30% of area median income. CEDAC provided a predevelopment loan of $225,000.

CEDAC works with DHCD on all 11 of these funded supportive housing projects through its management of several state bond programs.

About CEDAC

CEDAC is a public-private community development financial institution that provides project financing and technical expertise for community-based and other non-profit organizations engaged in effective community development in Massachusetts. CEDAC’s work supports two key building blocks of community development: affordable housing and early care and education. CEDAC is also active in state and national housing preservation policy research and development and is widely recognized as a leader in the non-profit community development industry. For additional information on CEDAC and its current projects, please visit www.cedac.org.

Featured images: a rendering of Manley Street Housing project; CEDAC housing team with Secretary Kennealy, Undersecretary Maddox and Kate Racer.

Baker-Polito Administration Awards Funding, Vouchers to Seven Affordable Housing Projects for Vulnerable Communities

Today, Governor Charlie Baker, Lt. Governor Karyn Polito, and Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy joined House Speaker Ronald Mariano, Quincy Mayor Tom Koch, Senator John Keenan, and advocates to celebrate the production and preservation of 67 units of supportive housing for vulnerable populations, as well as 100 shelter beds, through $13.7 million in capital funding and project-based vouchers. Today’s event was held at the future home of the Father Bill’s & MainSpring Housing Resource Center, which has received both supportive housing funding and a Housing Choice Community Capital Grant for design and engineering work.

Each year, DHCD distributes capital funds as well as project-based vouchers to pay for supportive services through a competitive process administered by the agency’s Supportive Housing for Vulnerable Populations program.  These supportive services serve veterans, older adults, persons with disabilities, individuals and families who have experienced homelessness, as well as unaccompanied youth.  Some state capital subsidies have also funded emergency shelter beds, including in this most recent round.

“In 2018, our administration signed the largest affordable housing legislation in Massachusetts history, and we have worked hard to invest in the production and preservation of thousands of affordable units in every region of the Commonwealth,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Thanks to our partners in the Legislature and local leaders, we are ensuring that supportive housing remains a key component of our broader strategy to increase production.”

“Permanent supportive housing provides necessary services to our most vulnerable populations, and I am so proud that we have invested in the development of hundreds of units of this type of affordable housing across the Commonwealth available to the families and individuals that have the greatest need,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “Every project in today’s round will result in housing with tailored services that will create an environment that will allow people to thrive.”

The Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), working with the Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation (CEDAC), will make available approximately $2.6 million in National Housing Trust Fund (HTF) funding, dedicated to households at 30% area median income or less; $10.7 million in state bond funds through the Housing Innovations Fund (HIF) and the Housing Stabilization Fund (HSF); and 57 state project-based housing vouchers to qualified and experienced sponsors. CEDAC, which manages HIF, works closely with DHCD to administer these rounds and review applications for funding.

Supportive housing provides residents with social and health services, including job training, case management, healthcare coordination, addiction recovery resources, and more. All 67 units are affordable to low and extremely low-income people. There are an additional 20 units that are being supported through vouchers only but are eligible to seek additional state funding in the future. Since 2015, the Baker-Polito Administration has supported the preservation and production of hundreds of supportive housing units.

“Solving our housing crisis requires housing production of all types, including permanent supportive housing for veterans, older adults, people in recovery, and individuals with disabilities, as well as shelter beds for those experiencing homelessness,” said Housing and Economic Development Secretary Kennealy. “Thanks to this innovative partnership involving DHCD, the city of Quincy, elected officials, and Father Bill’s and MainSpring, the vision of meeting the needs of the most vulnerable among us with a state-of-the-art facility is closer to being a reality.”

“Our team has worked closely with incredible partners like CEDAC to invest in projects that will meaningfully help a diverse set of people who can thrive with support and housing they can afford,” said Housing and Community Development Undersecretary Jennifer Maddox. “Our department has been committed to keeping our investments in housing development on track. Our housing crisis began before our current health crisis, and I am proud we’ve been able to continue funding the development of new affordable housing in every region and pass important zoning reform to make it easier for communities to promote housing at the local level.”

In Quincy, DHCD is awarding $4 million subsidy funds to Father Bill’s & MainSpring (FBMS) for the construction the new Housing Resource Center that will be built across from the organization’s current shelter for homeless individuals. This new multi-use facility will incorporate approximately 100 shelter beds, onsite supportive services, a respite care area, food preparation and dining facilities, administrative offices, and a clinic. DHCD will support this project with $4 million in subsidy funds. The City of Quincy is supporting the project by granting FBMS a 99-year lease at $1 per year and a capital award of $1 million in local housing trust funds, and successfully applied for a Housing Choice Community Capital Grant to cover portions of design and engineering services.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated many of the longstanding issues that our cities and towns have faced, such as homelessness,” said Speaker of the House Ronald J. Mariano. “The grants awarded today will support organizations that serve our most vulnerable residents and provide them with a path to safe, stable and dignified housing. The Massachusetts House is proud to support the work of the awardees and provide opportunities for them to expand their services. I am proud to have worked alongside the Quincy delegation to help secure this grant for Father Bill’s, and look forward to seeing the positive impact their future facility will have in our community.”

“The Supportive Housing award, coupled with local funding from the City of Quincy, allows Father Bill’s and MainSpring to move forward with its multi-use facility, which represents a new, more comprehensive approach towards preventing homelessness in southern Massachusetts,” said Senator John Keenan, Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Housing.

“Father Bill’s & MainSpring are an invaluable resource and advocate for our community. Their innovative work in not only providing stable housing, but also in their efforts in intervention and prevention work are critical to our community members facing homelessness,” said Representative Tackey Chan. “This grant money will make their new facilities a reality and allow their work to be more broad-reaching.”

“The innovative Father Bill’s and Mainspring Housing Resource Center is going to be a life-changer for so many of our most vulnerable community members in the City of Quincy,” said Quincy Mayor Thomas P. Koch. “I’m proud to partner in this endeavor, and deeply grateful to the Baker and Polito Administration for once again seeing the value in a such a vital local project by granting it a National Trust Fund Supportive Housing Award.”

“We want to end homelessness, not manage it — and the Housing Resource Center will move us closer to that goal,” said FBMS President & CEO John Yazwinski. “The HRC is a solutions-based, proactive approach that meets individuals further upstream in their housing crisis. By investing in day services that re-house homeless individuals more quickly and prevent more people from entering shelter, we will lower public costs, reduce reliance on shelter beds and downtown spaces, and provide our neighbors in need with stability and a pathway to self-sufficiency. Thank you to Governor Charlie Baker and his administration, Speaker Ron Mariano and the Quincy state delegation, and Mayor Thomas Koch and the Quincy City Council for supporting this innovative approach. Together, our community is taking a leap forward in our fight to end homelessness.”

“Congratulations to the non-profit organizations receiving these supportive housing funding awards. Their work is so necessary to providing housing and services to truly vulnerable populations across the Commonwealth,” said Roger Herzog, the Executive Director of the Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation (CEDAC). “CEDAC values our effective collaboration with the Baker-Polito Administration and its Department of Housing and Community Development and its strong commitment to the production of supportive housing through the eighth annual funding round dedicated for this purpose.”

The Baker-Polito Administration has shown a deep commitment to increasing the production of housing across all income levels. Since 2015, the administration has invested more than $1.4 billion in affordable housing, resulting in the production and preservation of more than 20,000 housing units, including 18,000 affordable units. In 2018, Governor Baker signed the largest housing bond bill in Massachusetts history, committing more than $1.8 billion to the future of affordable housing production and preservation. This year, Governor Baker signed economic development legislation titled An Act Enabling Partnerships for Growth that includes substantial new funding for affordable and climate-resilient housing, as well as targeted zoning reforms to advance new housing production. The administration has also supported the development of more than 17,000 mixed-income housing units through the successful MassWorks Infrastructure Program, reformed the Housing Development Incentive Program, and worked with communities to implement smart-growth development and planning efforts.

Award Recipients:

37 Wales Street, Boston: The non-profit sponsor, Heading Home, will demolish a structurally compromised building and construct a new, 23-unit building. Located in Dorchester, the project will provide permanent supportive housing to formerly homeless, extremely low-income (ELI) individuals. The project also will be highly energy efficient. DHCD will support this project with subsidy funds and 23 enhanced rental vouchers.

6 Quint Ave, Boston: 6 Quint is an existing, privately owned lodging house in Allston. The non-profit sponsor, Allston-Brighton CDC, will purchase and redevelop this property into 14 supportive housing units targeted toward extremely low-income (ELI) individuals in the advanced stages of addiction recovery. DHCD subsidy funds will support the acquisition and renovation of this project. The Boston Housing Authority also is supporting 6 Quint with project-based rental vouchers.

Ashford Street, Boston: Ashford Street is an existing 12-unit project featuring single-room occupancy (SRO) units as well as studio and one-bedroom units. The sponsor is the non-profit Allston-Brighton CDC. Located in Allston, the project serves extremely low-income (ELI) individuals. DHCD funds will support the rehabilitation and preservation of this project, including improved accessibility, with subsidy funds and four rental vouchers. The Boston Housing Authority also is supporting Ashford Street with 8 rental vouchers.

Father Bill’s Housing Resource Center, Quincy: This project, sponsored by non-profit Father Bill’s and MainSpring (FBMS), consists of a new multi-use facility next to its existing shelter facility. It will incorporate approximately 100 shelter beds, onsite supportive services, a respite care area, food preparation and dining facilities, administrative offices, and a clinic. DHCD will support this project with subsidy funds. The City of Quincy is supporting the project by granting FBMS a 99-year lease at $1 per year and a capital award of $1 million in local housing trust funds.

A Place to Live – 30 Winfield Street, Worcester: The non-profit sponsor, South Middlesex Opportunity Council (SMOC), will construct a new three-story building for chronically homeless single adults. The building will consist of 18 studio apartments for at-risk homeless individuals as well as office space for full time case management and a community room. DHCD will support 30 Winfield Street with subsidies and 10 state MRVPs. The City of Worcester is providing $100,000 in local HOME funds as well as project-based subsidies.

Amherst Supportive Studio, Amherst: Sponsored by the non-profit Valley CDC, this project consists of the creation of 28 enhanced single-room occupancy (SRO) units. The building, which will achieve Passive House certification, will include one office for onsite property management and a separate office for a Resident Services Coordinator. The site currently holds a single-family home that will be demolished. The location is highly walkable, less than 1/2 mile to the Town Center and numerous service providers. DHCD will provide the project with 10 MRVP vouchers to assist in the effort to house ten homeless individuals.

New Point Acquisitions, Salem: North Shore Community Development Coalition (NSCDC) will carry out substantial capital improvements, implement supportive services, and convert 18 unrestricted units into affordable units for homeless individuals. Located in the Point neighborhood close to Salem’s center, this project consists of units divided across three, 3-story brick walk-up buildings. The City of Salem is supporting the project with City Home funds of $25,000, CPA funds of $100,000, CDBG funds of $25,000, and 8 rental vouchers.  DHCD will provide the project with 10 enhanced rental vouchers to assist NSCDC’s efforts to house homeless families.  NSCDC will apply to DHCD for subsidy funds in future competitive funding rounds.

###

SourceExecutive Office of Housing and Economic Development, Housing and Community Development, Office of Governor Charlie Baker and Lt. Governor Karyn Polito

Community Development Corporation of South Berkshire awarded funds for new affordable housing complex

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy and Housing and Community Development Undersecretary Jennifer Maddox recently announced the Community Development Corporation of South Berkshires (CDCSB) and project co-sponsor Way Finders, Inc. have been awarded approximately $14 million. These funds will provide the majority of financing for Windrush Commons, a new $19 million, 49-unit affordable housing complex at 910 South Main Street in Great Barrington.

The only project to receive funding in Western Massachusetts in this round, the initiative will be supported with federal and state low-income housing tax credits and subsidy funds from the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). The town of Great Barrington also will support the project with Community Preservation Act funds.

Qualified families, individuals, and seniors will be offered the opportunity to rent apartments at significantly lower than market rates. All units will be “Net Zero ready” energy efficient. Windrush Commons will include a community gathering space with a kitchen, green space, and laundry facilities. The apartments will sit on approximately 2.5 acres. The additional 5.47 acres of the site will be permanently conserved land.

“This award of funds comes at a critical time for Great Barrington. With very few housing units on the market, and a zero percent rental vacancy rate, home prices and rents are out of reach for most households,” said Assistant Town Planner Chris Rembold.

The development team for Windrush Commons includes project co-sponsor Way Finders, Inc. of Springfield; Elton and Hampton Architects; civil engineering by White Engineering; Berkshire Housing Development Corporation as the management agent; and Allegrone Construction. Greylock Federal Credit Union will serve as the Federal Home Loan member bank.

Construction is expected to begin this summer/fall. The project is located in Great Barrington’s Smart Growth Overlay District, which was designed for this kind of development: high-density affordable housing within walking distance of shopping, health services, public transportation, and downtown attractions.

This new project award comes as the CDCSB is putting the finishing touches on Bentley Apartments, its new 45-unit affordable housing complex on Bentley Road, within walking distance of downtown Great Barrington.

“The projects that the CDCSB develops, including Bentley Apartments and Windrush Commons, enable us to address the housing crisis in the Berkshires,” said James Harwood, CDCSB Board of Directors president. “The positive impact on residents who will call these new apartments home is immense,” he said. “It changes people’s lives.”

More information about Windrush Commons and CDCSB economic development efforts can be found online or by contacting Executive Director Allison Marchese at allison@cdcsb.org.

SourceThe Berkshire Edge

Fire-Damaged Westfield Property to Receive $28M Renovation

A 248-unit Westfield multifamily complex that was damaged in a 2018 fire will receive financing from MassHousing, enabling a nonprofit developer to begin a $28-million renovation project.

Braintree-based Affordable Housing and Services Collaborative Inc. will rehabilitate all 12 buildings at the Powdermill Village complex, including one building that was partially destroyed by the fire. The renovations, designed by The Architectural Team of Chelsea and performed by NEI General Contracting, include new roofing, siding, balconies, decks and accessibility upgrades.

MassHousing provided a $14.5 million tax-exempt construction and permanent loan and an $11.9 million tax credit equity bridge loan. The project is also receiving a total of $18.9 million in federal and state low-income housing tax credit equity financing. The LIHTC syndicator is Boston Financial Investment Management. The Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development, which allocated the federal and state LIHTCs, is also contributing $3.6 million in direct affordable housing subsidy.

The Affordable Housing Trust Fund, which MassHousing manages on behalf of DHCD, contributed $1.3 million to the project, while the city of Westfield is providing $275,000 in Community Preservation Act and HOME financing.

The transaction also involved approximately $1.7 million in insurance proceeds related to the 2018 fire, a $3.4 million seller loan, and $67,281 in owner financing.

The complex includes 50 units supported by the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program and reserved for households earning a maximum 50 percent of area median income. The remainder of the complex is restricted to households earning 60 to 80 percent of AMI, along with six market-rate units.

Editor’s note: This article has been updated to correct that MassHousing was a source of the project financing.

SourceBanker & Tradesman

Decade-old law has preserved 20,000 affordable housing units

BOSTON – In its first 10 years in effect, a state law meant to preserve affordable housing in Massachusetts has protected almost 20,000 units but one national advocate said Wednesday that preservation alone will not be enough to meet the demand for affordable housing.

To mark a decade of a state law known as Chapter 40T, the Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation released its latest research on the impact the law has had and brought together a group of advocates to discuss the past and future of affordable housing retention.

“Chapter 40T has been a big success, contributing to the preservation of almost 20,000 units while only losing 204,” Bill Brauner, director of housing preservation and policy at CEDAC, said.

Chapter 40T was enacted late in 2009 and applies to properties that are funded through 16 specific housing programs, like the federal Section 8 program and state rental vouchers. When a property’s affordable housing restriction is set to expire — often through a mortgage maturity, contract expiration or the end of a tax credit use restriction, Brauner said — the law requires notices of the expiration be sent to tenants and local officials, and provides the state Department of Housing and Community Development the right of first offer and the right of first refusal on the property.

Though the non-binding nature of the right of first offer may seem “toothless,” Brauner said that 10 of the 14 properties that have been purchased to date by DHCD designees have been purchased with the right of first offer.

The law also offers tenant protections. For three years after a termination, rents cannot be increased by more than the Consumer Price Index plus 3 percent for low-income residents who do not receive enhanced vouchers, Brauner said.

Priya Jayachandran, president of National Housing Trust, said she considers Chapter 40T “a model law for housing preservation” and that her organization often shares the law with other states that seek its expertise. But she argued that housing advocates should begin to take a broader view of housing and housing preservation.

Many organizations have long focused on preserving subsidized affordable housing units, as Chapter 40T does, but Jayachandran said “the vast majority of affordable housing is, in fact, in unsubsidized units that fall under the radar” and that the scope of preservation should be expanded to also capture those units.

She also made the case for housing advocates to join forces with environmental activists focused on stemming the tide of climate change to promote affordable housing preservation.

“I think the more that we can link housing preservation to infrastructure and climate change, to share that the energy burden from new construction — from all aspects of that, from the materials cost, from the transportation of those new materials, from the construction costs — the whole process is much more energy consumptive than is housing preservation,” Jayachandran said. “So how can we partner with our energy advocates to make that claim? … And how do we forge those partnerships to make preservation an environmental issue as well as a housing issue?”

But she also acknowledged that preservation alone is not enough.

“Notwithstanding what I just said about energy consumption, the reality is that we need to be preserving units and creating units at the same time,” Jayachandran said. “When NHT was created in 1990 to focus on preservation, it was because housing preservation was the most pressing affordable housing issue of our time. It continues to be pressing, but the reality today is that even if we did preserve every one of our units, it’s not enough. We have simply not built up over the past 30 years the way we should have.”

Gov. Charlie Baker has been pushing since 2017 for lawmakers to agree to a zoning reform measure intended to spur housing production, and the governor has pointed to it again as one of the items he would like to see the Legislature pass before the session ends early next month.

The House and Senate each included Baker’s long-sought zoning reforms in the differing versions of the economic development bill that has been under private House-Senate negotiations since July 30.

Housing Committee Co-chair Rep. Kevin Honan spoke during CEDAC’s virtual event Wednesday morning and said that he had been involved with the issue of expiring affordability protections since his very first days in office.

“The first issue I was involved in was expiring use. We got a call from the 10 O’Clock News on Channel 2 who were doing a story on Glenville Ave. in Allston,” Honan said. “That was the first time I was interviewed as a legislator, in early 1987.”

SourceSentinel and Enterprise

Urban Edge Begins Construction on 62-Unit Holtzer Park

Urban Edge is announcing that construction has begun on Holtzer Park, a 62-unit affordable housing development near Jackson Square in Jamaica Plain, MA.

Holtzer Park is part of the Boston Housing Authority’s (BHA) 125 Amory Street redevelopment, a joint venture between The Community Builders (TCB), Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Development Corporation (JPNDC), and Urban Edge.

The project has been made possible with the generous support from a number of public and private financing organizations, including the City of Boston, Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation (CEDAC), MassDevelopment, MassHousing, Massachusetts Housing Investment Corporation, Citizens Bank, Massachusetts Housing Partnership, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston (FHLBank Boston), Boston Private, The Life Initiative, and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

“We are so grateful to the funders for Holtzer Park,” said Emilio Dorcely, Urban Edge’s Chief Executive Officer. “Through their assistance, we will bring new units of much-needed affordable housing to the Jackson Square neighborhood. Now more than ever, it is clear that quality affordable housing is a necessity in Boston’s Black and Brown communities, and we appreciate the support from both public and private institutions to make this project a reality.”

Named for the Holtzer-Cabot Electric Company, where on the site, electrical devices were manufactured in the 20th century, Holtzer Park will meet the U.S. Green Building Council LEED Homes Gold certifiable standard and utilize a high-efficiency heating system and building envelope. The development team for the project includes Urban Edge, ICON Architecture, and NEI General Contracting.

The project will cost an estimated $32 million in total, and has received more than $2.7 million in funding from the City of Boston Department of Neighborhood Development, $750,000 from the Neighborhood Housing Trust, and more than $15.8 million in State and Federal Low Income Housing Tax Credits and more than $5 million in subsidies from DHCD.

“This project is a fantastic example of how our strong non-profit partners like Urban Edge are able to layer multiple state, federal, and local funding sources to create opportunities for our families,” said Housing and Community Development Undersecretary Jennifer Maddox. “We are excited to see the Baker-Polito Administration’s investments in the neighborhood, through MassWorks Infrastructure funding, MassDevelopment’s Brownfields program, and our own affordable housing awards help advance this great work.”

“The Life Initiative is proud to have supported Urban Edge’s efforts in the development of Holtzer Park,” said Mollye Lockwood, Vice President at The Life Initiative. “The Holtzer Park project represents a wonderful example of Urban Edge’s ability to forge partnerships to make transformative development happen. After over four years of working with community and its development partners of TCB and JPNDC, Urban Edge has made its project in the 125 Amory master plan a reality and will be providing 62 affordable homes to the Jamaica Plain community.”

“Holtzer Park is a transformative initiative that will introduce much-needed affordable rental housing in a rapidly evolving part of Boston,” said Kenneth Willis, Senior Vice President and Director of Housing and Community Investment at FHLBank Boston. “FHLBank Boston is proud to provide financial support for this transit-oriented project through our Affordable Housing Program, and we’re pleased that it is under development.”

“We are grateful to be involved in the creation of new affordable rental housing at Holtzer Park. We want to thank and congratulate our long-time partner, Urban Edge; the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston; and our other key partners, especially Boston’s Department of Neighborhood Development and the State, in planning and financing this important development,” said Boston Private CEO Anthony DeChellis. “Boston Private was the lead lender for the construction and permanent financing. We are grateful for Urban Edge’s leadership in bringing together a complex initiative during these extraordinary times with the COVID-19 pandemic.”

“It’s exciting to see underutilized BHA land transformed into such an important use for dozens of low-income families,” said BHA Administrator Kate Bennett. “We are forging exciting opportunities in Jackson Square and I am grateful to all of our partners and staff that have made this happen.”

“Holtzer Park is yet more evidence of the innovative and successful effort to redevelop the Jackson Square neighborhood through the work of community-based non-profit developers,” said Roger Herzog, CEDAC’s executive director. “The project will result in 62 new transit-oriented affordable apartments, and will include supportive housing units. This project will set aside units for people who live with disabilities, as well as families who have experienced homelessness, providing stable, affordable homes to some of Boston’s most vulnerable residents. CEDAC could not be more pleased to support Urban Edge and to help them turn the vision of Holtzer Park into a reality.”

“We are pleased to work with our longtime partner Urban Edge to bring 62 much needed affordable housing units to Boston. We are proud to support such an important project and continue to advance the creation of healthy communities,” said Joseph Flatley, President and CEO of the Massachusetts Housing Investment Corporation.

“The Holtzer Park project in Jamaica Plain meets an important need in our community and demonstrates Citizens’ strong commitment to support more affordable housing options for Boston residents,” said Jerry Sargent, President of Citizens Bank, Massachusetts and Head of the Northeast.

“ICON Architecture is thrilled to be part of the Holtzer Park team. Creating equitable and healthy new homes for families is part of ICON’s mission,” Kendra Halliwell, Associate Principal and Practice + Design Team Leader at ICON Architecture.

“With our dedication to building affordable housing, NEI shares Urban Edge’s mission of strengthening communities and families by building affordable housing and vibrant, prosperous neighborhoods,” said Josef Rettman, president of NEI General Contracting.

“MassDevelopment is proud to support the development of Holtzer Park, with both a $27,000 award from the Brownfields Redevelopment Fund last year to assess the site and a $17.2 million tax-exempt bond more recently to aid construction,” said MassDevelopment President and CEO Lauren Liss. “Holtzer Park will add critical affordable housing units for residents of Boston’s Jamaica Plain neighborhood, and we’re pleased to be part of a tremendous team of financing partners helping to make this project a reality.”

SourceBoston Real Estate Times

Deaf-friendly home for the disabled opens in Quincy’s Germantown

The group home currently houses five adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, has staff available 24 hours a day, and includes smart technology for the deaf staff and residents.

QUINCY — The first completely deaf-friendly group home for adults with disabilities in eastern Massachusetts has opened in Quincy’s Germantown neighborhood.

NeighborWorks Housing Solutions, a Quincy-based nonprofit that builds homes for veterans, homeless families, and people with disabilities, collaborated on the Bicknell Road project with WORK Inc., a nonprofit based that operates residential group homes for people with disabilities. The home currently houses five adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, has staff available 24 hours a day, and includes smart technology for the deaf staff and residents.

“This has been an honor to collaborate with WORK Inc. on this project, which will truly be a home to five individuals who have a unique set of needs,” Robert Corley, chief executive officer of NeighborWorks, said in a statement. “We’re excited to show the community how important this type of housing is for the community. We look forward to partnering with WORK Inc. and other similar agencies to help create more housing like the home in Germantown.”

The group home was designed by Elton Hampton Architects and was funded by the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development, the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services and the City of Quincy.

NeighborWorks Housing Solutions is responsible for various Quincy developments, including 140 units at The Watson on East Howard Street, 24 units at Winter Gardens on Winter Street, and 1116 Sea St. — a two-family home at the former Houghs Neck American Legion Post that houses two veterans and their families.

The nonprofit also received a $500,000 federal grant in February and was approved by the Quincy Planning Board in January for a project that will demolish four Quincy Point homes to build 18 low-income apartments in their place.

SourceThe Patriot Ledger

CEDAC Approves $8.4 Million in Acquisition Financing to Preserve Long-Term Affordability of 100 Housing Units in Attleboro

The Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation (CEDAC) recently committed more than $8.4 million in acquisition financing for the preservation of affordable housing in Attleboro, MA.

The financing commitment was made to Retirement Housing Foundation (RHF), working in partnership with The Schochet Companies, to acquire Hillcrest Acres in Attleboro. The partners recently finalized the transaction, ensuring that this property will remain affordable going forward.

“Preserving affordable housing is an important part of CEDAC’s mission. Hillcrest Acres was far along the path of conversion from affordable housing to market rate, but thanks to this acquisition, all 100 apartments will have long-term affordability restrictions,” said Roger Herzog, CEDAC’s executive director. “Congratulations to our partners, Retirement Housing Foundation and The Schochet Companies, on this important milestone that will preserve a total of 100 units of affordable housing while preventing existing tenants from displacement.”

The 100-unit property was constructed in 1974 and faced expiring affordability restrictions in 2019. CEDAC participated with Eastern Bank to provide the acquisition financing. Funding sources included program-related investments (PRIs) from both Bank of America and the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.

“I am pleased to welcome Hillcrest Acres to the RHF family of 198 communities,” said Dr. Laverne Joseph, President and CEO of RHF. “There is a large and growing need for affordable housing and we are doing our best to address that need.”

Hillcrest Acres is a garden style multifamily community located on just over nine wooded acres in Attleboro, with a mix of 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom units. Consisting of 10 residential buildings spread throughout the property, the development offers picnic and barbecue areas, play areas, and a 3,000 square foot community/office building. The property is close to public transportation, including the MBTA commuter rail station with trains to both Providence and Boston.

“We are so appreciative of the efforts of CEDAC and the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) in helping us to acquire and preserve this key asset as affordable for the folks who currently reside there as well as those who will come after them,” said Richard Henken, president of The Schochet Companies. “With their help we were able to get the seller an acceptable price so as to not lose these apartments to the market. We look forward to completing the second leg of this transaction, which will refresh and reinvigorate the property providing significant quality of life benefits for our residents.”

“This closing was made possible by the efficient and collaborative work with our partners,” said Bill Brauner, CEDAC’s Director of Housing Preservation. “We look forward to continuing to work with Retirement Housing Foundation as they seek long-term funding from the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) and from MassHousing, which will ensure that this development remains affordable for many years in the future.”

SourceBoston Real Estate Times

CBH DESIGN REQUIREMENTS: An update

After 15 successful years of the Community Based Housing program, CEDAC, DHCD and MRC have worked with Davis Square Architects to update and clarify the CBH design guidelines. Join us at one of these upcoming trainings to learn about these changes as well as other guidance on CBH design and construction.

Who should attend? Project managers and project architects who want to include CBH in their projects; and lender advisors who review projects that include CBH.

Trainer: Paul Warkentin, Associate at Davis Square Architects.

 

CBH DESIGN REQUIREMENTS: An update

After 15 successful years of the Community Based Housing program, CEDAC, DHCD and MRC have worked with Davis Square Architects to update and clarify the CBH design guidelines. Join us at one of these upcoming trainings to learn about these changes as well as other guidance on CBH design and construction.

Who should attend? Project managers and project architects who want to include CBH in their projects; and lender advisors who review projects that include CBH.

Trainer: Paul Warkentin, Associate at Davis Square Architects.

This event will be repeated November 12, at 2 pm