MassHousing Blog

MassHousing Honors 76 Property Management Companies for Commitment to Minority, Women-Owned Businesses

WinnCompanies is top achiever; Maloney Properties, Peabody Properties, Trinity Management, and United Housing Management also cited for multi-million dollar efforts

MassHousing's Tom Gleason, second from left, with WinnCompanies' Chenelle Brown,
Arthur Winn and Gilbert Winn

MassHousing recently recognized the efforts of 76 property management companies that make a concerted effort to do business with Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises.

The MassHousing Minority and Women-Owned Business vendor program helps Minority and Women-Owned Businesses benefit from the economic opportunities created by MassHousing-financed rental housing.

In fiscal year 2015, which ended June 30, 450 rental housing developments financed by MassHousing generated approximately $201.5 million in contracts for goods, services and supplies. Of this amount, $30.4 million (15%) went to Minority-Owned Businesses, $9.8 million (5%) went to Minority Women-Owned Businesses and $13.8 million (7%) went to Women-Owned Businesses.

As part of its effort to encourage equal opportunities for Minority and Women-Owned Businesses, MassHousing tracks the expenditures for property maintenance as well as goods and services within the apartment communities that the Agency has financed. It then recognizes those management companies that award significant funds to Minority and Women-Owned Businesses at an annual awards ceremony.

"These management companies make a concerted effort to use Minority and Women-Owned Businesses," said MassHousing Executive Director Tom Gleason. "The use of these companies not only helps to bolster our state's economy but it also helps create jobs that benefit thousands of families across Massachusetts. We commend these companies for another successful year.

"We also acknowledge the unique leadership of the WinnCompanies founder and principal, Arthur Winn, and its CEO, Gilbert Winn, for being the only company to have earned the highest achievement ranking every year since this award's inception in 1999," Gleason added.

WinnCompanies of Boston, Maloney Properties, Inc. of Wellesley, Peabody Properties, Inc. of Braintree, Trinity Management, LLC of Boston, and United Housing Management, LLC of Boston received top honors for their multi-million dollar expenditures with Minority and Women-Owned Businesses.

In fiscal year 2015, WinnCompanies awarded $3.5 million to Minority-Owned Businesses, $2.3 million to Minority Women-Owned Businesses and $2.2 million to Women-Owned Businesses. WinnCompanies has been the top-producing company in MassHousing's M/WBE program for the past 16 years.

"We appreciate being recognized by the state and our longtime partner, MassHousing," said Arthur Winn. "We always try to do the best we can. I'd like to think being the industry leader for Minority and Women-Owned Businesses is a byproduct of our culture and values."

Trinity Management, LLC awarded $5.3 million to Minority-Owned Businesses, $493,351 to Minority Women-Owned Businesses and $560,151 to Women-Owned Businesses.

"Our commitment to diversity permeates all our decisions, from housing to purchasing policies," said Trinity Management CEO Kate Franco. "We thank MassHousing for providing an abiding focus on affordable housing and community economic development."

Peabody Properties, Inc. awarded $3.2 million to Minority-Owned Businesses, $779,561 to Minority Women-Owned Businesses and $1.6 million to Women-Owned Businesses.

"We applaud MassHousing's continued accomplishments in expanding opportunities for Minority and Women-Owned Businesses. With a goal to always be a strong leader in the Commonwealth with our supplier diversity program, Peabody Properties is very proud, once again, to receive top honors for our multi-million dollar expenditures. Together, with our diverse supplier base, we affirm our commitment to equality, diversity and the long-term economic sustainability of our communities," said Melissa Fish-Crane, Principal and Chief Operating Officer for Peabody Properties.

Maloney Properties awarded $2.1 million to Minority-Owned Businesses, $328,502 to Minority Women-Owned Businesses and $610,078 to Women-Owned Businesses.

"Congratulations to MassHousing for another extremely successful year in promoting MBE and WBE businesses. Maloney Properties, Inc. is proud to be recognized, once again, for our multi-million dollar achievement in procuring goods and services from MBE and WBE firms. This award belongs to all of our dedicated employees who seek opportunities that promote diversity when hiring vendors and doing business in the community," said Janet Frazier, President of Maloney Properties.

United Housing Management awarded $2.4 million to Minority-Owned Businesses, $247,528 to Minority Women-Owned Businesses and $1 million to Women-Owned Businesses.
"United Housing Management is honored to be recognized by MassHousing as a recipient of the FY 2015 Multi-Million Dollar MBE and WBE Achievement Awards. MassHousing has always been at the forefront of community inclusion along with MBE and WBE participation, and it is through our combined efforts that we are able to continuously maintain high MBE and WBE engagement levels," said United Housing Management CEO Kevin Bynoe. 

Additionally, Beacon Communities, LLC of Boston was honored as a Million Dollar Achiever and Sentry Property Management of Allston, Keith Properties of Canton, and Greater Boston Properties of Boston, received Awards for Excellence.

$53 Million in MassHousing Financing will help transform 200-unit Leyden Woods Apartments in Greenfield

Families living at the 200-unit Leyden Woods Apartments in Greenfield will soon have their homes transformed almost overnight as outdated structures will soon be demolished and replaced quickly with modular, prefabricated sections that will sit atop existing foundations. 

"The developer is committed to keeping Leyden Woods affordable for the low-income families who live there and is going to completely rebuild and modernize the property with the help of $53 million in MassHousing financing," said MassHousing Executive Director Tom Gleason.

Originally built in 1973, Leyden Woods is owned by an affiliate of The Community Builders (TCB). TCB is using the MassHousing financing to completely replace the 200 apartments on the 44-acre property that are all affordable to lower-income families through the use of Low Income Housing Tax Credits. As a result of the MassHousing financing, the Section 8 Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) contract for 181 of the units will also be extended for 20 years.

The general contractor, Delphi Construction, will coordinate with a modular subcontractor to construct 49 new modular buildings off site and then after delivery will install them at Leyden Woods. Residents will be assisted and temporarily relocated throughout the 18-month replacement process.

The new housing will be more energy efficient and accessible for residents with disabilities.

MassHousing's financing includes a $26.2 million construction and permanent loan, a $24.7 million bridge loan and a $2.1 million second mortgage loan. Other financing sources for the $79 million transaction included state Low Income Housing Tax Credits, the state Department of Housing and Community Development, TCB financing, a MassSave grant and a city of Greenfield infrastructure grant.

The architect is Davis Square Architects and the management agent is The Community Builders.

Historic Webster school building returns to life as apartments for seniors

The Sitkowski School in downtown Webster had stood vacant since 2005. No longer needed as a school, the solid building was nonetheless an historic property and one that helped define the Webster downtown.

Thanks to the non-profit development team at Neighborhood of Affordable Housing (NOAH), the school once again gleams and much of its original luster has been restored, this time as 66 units of affordable rental housing for seniors.

State and local officials and residents gathered recently to celebrate the grand opening of the restored school. NOAH worked with the town and state agencies for five years to secure financing for the $20 million project to convert the building to housing for residents age 55 and over.

MassHousing provided a total of $12.8 million in financing, including a $1.75 million permanent loan, an $8.1 million bridge loan and a $2 million deferred payment loan. The project also received $1 million from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, which MassHousing manages on behalf of the state Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD).

"I am stunned by the transformation here," said MassHousing Executive Director Tom Gleason. "This is an investment we will make any time for a result like this. But when people move in here they make it a home and that's the most important part."

The building had been vacant since 2005. NOAH worked to preserve many of the building's historic features including some of the original oak woodwork, classroom doors and original wood floors.

"There were many sleepless nights and long days leading up to this but we have a new gem in Webster," said Don Bourque, chairman of Webster's Board of Selectmen. "It was not an easy task but worth the time and effort that was put into this facility."

"At the end of the day, it's about the residents," said DHCD Undersecretary Chrystal Kornegay. "It's about a nice place for them to live here and enjoy their lives."

Additional financing for the project was provided through the sale of state and federal historic and Low Income Housing Tax Credits and financing from DHCD.

The Sitkowski School developers originally applied for 9% Low Income Housing Tax Credits from DHCD. As that program is heavily oversubscribed, MassHousing stepped in to help finance the project with the less utilized 4% tax credits.

The architect was DiMella Shaffer Architects of Boston and the contractor was Dellbrook Construction. The management agent is WinnManagement.

Gov. Baker kicks off effort to redevelop Fitchburg Mill into 96 units of mixed-income housing

Gov. Baker speaks with Fitchburg Mayor Lisa Wong, Gilbert Winn and others at the Fitchburg Yarn Mill groundbreaking

Governor Charlie Baker was in attendance at the formal groundbreaking to transform the Nockege Mill in downtown Fitchburg into a 96-unit mixed-income housing community.

Baker announced a $3 million MassWorks grant that will provide for infrastructure improvements in the Main Street area surrounding the new housing project.

Fitchburg Yarn Mill is being developed by WinnCompanies, which has extensive experience in converting vacant and underused mill buildings into mixed-income housing communities.

"These kinds of projects can be complicated and full of surprises but WinnCompanies has done more than 25 of these kinds of projects and practice makes perfect," said Gov. Baker. "I can't wait to come back and see it when it's all been done."

MassHousing will provide $1.4 million from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund for the project, which involves the adaptive reuse of the long vacant, three-story, 110-year-old former yarn mill into 96 units of mixed-income housing, of which 38 will be affordable to households earning up to 60% of the Area Median Income and the remaining 58 units will be rented at market rates.

"Site by site, project by project we are rebuilding this city," said Mayor Lisa Wong.

"We are really excited about this project," said WinnCompanies CEO Gilbert Winn. "We intend to do what we have always done, up the game with high quality housing in the downtown and the asset values of the surrounding properties will rise."

The $37.4 million project is also being financed through the sale of state and federal Low Income Housing Tax Credits and Historic Tax Credits, the state Department of Housing and Community Development, the city of Fitchburg, the Massachusetts Housing Partnership and Bank of America.

"WinnCompanies has a proven track record of turning these vacant, blighted properties into new, vibrant housing communities for working families," said MassHousing Executive Director Tom Gleason. "This will certainly be an important new part of downtown Fitchburg that will be an attractive housing resource for many years into the future."

The contractor will be Colantonio, Inc., the architect is The Architectural Team and the management agent will be WinnResidential.

Former Dorchester School transformed into 80 new apartments

Rents to be affordable to lower income and formerly homeless residents

The former St. Kevin's School campus in Dorchester has been transformed by the Archdiocese of Boston's Planning Office for Urban Affairs into Uphams Crossing, a new 80-unit permanent affordable housing community for low-income residents.

MassHousing contributed a total of $2.5 million from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund.

"All of us are acutely aware of the plight of the homeless," said Cardinal Sean O'Malley, who presided over a recent ribbon-cutting event with Mayor Marty Walsh.

"This is going to provide affordable housing to 80 working families, of which 24 were formerly homeless," said Mayor Walsh. "This is a compassionate and value-driven community. We are creating affordable housing across this city and it's a priority. Uphams Crossing shows us why we have to stay committed," he added in reference to the fact that 3,500 people applied for the 80 apartments.

There are two components: Uphams Corner Residential (47 units) and St. Kevin's Residential (33 units). Uphams Corner Residential involved the demolition of the former St. Kevin's School and the new construction of 47 affordable units, of which 12 will be set aside as permanent housing for formerly homeless and vulnerable families.

St. Kevin's involved the demolition of one building on the school campus and its replacement with townhouses and the rehabilitation of another building with an additional floor built. Of the 33 units, eight will be reserved for formerly homeless families.

The contractor was CWC Builders and the architect was The Architectural Team. The management agent is Corcoran Management.

Governor Baker, Springfield Mayor Sarno mark transformation of Outing Park Apartments and surrounding neighborhood in Springfield

Before its rebirth as the 212-unit Outing Park Apartments, the Springfield neighborhood suffered decades of blight, crime and the devastating 2011 tornado that struck the city.

But following a long partnership between the city and First Resources Companies, the Outing Park Apartments have revitalized the neighborhood and are providing modern, quality affordable housing for low-income residents.

MassHousing is pleased to have committed $4 million from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund for the $75 million project - $2 million for each of the two phases of rehabilitation of the 23 total historic buildings in Outing Park.

Governor Charlie Baker and Mayor Domenic Sarno recently presided over a celebratory event to acknowledge the completion of the new housing that has transformed a neighborhood.

"This is a tribute to all of you who stuck with it all the way because you had the vision," said Governor Baker. "It really is brick by brick, building by building; street by street that gets you there. This is the start of a special and new opportunity for this city and neighborhood."

Mayor Sarno noted the neighborhood was once called the Hollywood section of the city and enjoyed positive growth after World War II before declining into a high-crime area wrought with violence and drug dealing.

"Now it has been reborn into a new great neighborhood," he said. "Crime is down now. It can be done and it will be done and we will continue to march forward in our neighborhoods."

First Resources President and CEO Gordon Pulsifer said Outing Park is the "largest collection of housing blocks in Springfield" but they were in "bad shape" when the company partnered with Springfield to rehabilitate the property nearly a decade ago.

"There is quite a transformation of the before and after," he said. "It's important to look back and keep history from repeating itself. When we got here it was in bad shape. It's very important to keep these (state financing) programs funded. What it has done for these neighborhoods across the Commonwealth and the families that live in these neighborhoods is very important."

MassHousing Executive Director Tom Gleason noted that it takes a number of committed public and private partners to transform a neighborhood like Outing Park.

"Sometimes the housing we are involved with reaches a critical mass and we can change a neighborhood," he said. "That is what has been done here and it's important for the families and kids who live here and it will give a leg up for the next generation who live here."

WinnCompanies' Loft Five50 Phase II ads 62 new units of workforce housing to downtown Lawrence

WinnCompanies has completed the second phase of Loft Five50 on the former Malden Mills campus in Lawrence, creating in its place 137 new apartments for working families. MassHousing provided $2 million from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund for Loft Five50, which was split between the two phases.

Winn recently completed Phase II, which added 62 new apartments to the 75 apartments built in 2012 under Phase I. Of the 137 apartments, 134 are affordable to lower-income residents.

"We have a lot of needs in our city and housing is one of them," said Mayor Daniel Rivera. "We need good, quality housing and this is exactly that."

Loft Five50 is part of the 29-acre, nine building Malden Mills manufacturing campus that was operated by three generations by the Feurstein family. The business suffered a devastating fire in 1995 and owner Aaron Feurstein made national headlines for continuing to pay his employees after the fire.

WinnCompanies acquired four of the mill buildings in July 2011 after Malden Mills had gone out of business and the buildings had sat vacant for more than a decade.

"It is gratifying for us to partner with the state and the city to contribute another important step forward in the revitalization of Lawrence," said Larry Curtis, president and managing partner of WinnCompanies.

Many of the historic features of the buildings were preserved, including high ceilings, large windows and exposed brick.

"You have been able to take these buildings and through your vision give them back to the great city of Lawrence," MassHousing Executive Director Tom Gleason told the development team at a recent grand opening event. "This housing is going to be home to working people who will help revitalize the economy here in Lawrence."

The contractor was Keith Construction, the architect was The Architectural Team and the management agent is WinnResidential.

55 new affordable apartments come online in Gardner

The revitalization of downtown Gardner took a another step forward with the completion of The Lofts at 30 Pine, a new 55-unit affordable housing community that ended the decades-long redevelopment of the former Heywood Wakefield Company building. MassHousing committed $1 million from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund.

The Lofts at 30 Pine was developed by EA Fish Development and culminated a 35-year effort to redevelop the former Heywood Wakefield Company, which was one of the oldest and largest chair factories in the world. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

"It's amazing to see the redevelopment of this area," said Gardner Mayor Mark Hawke. "It has been fantastic for the city of Gardner. We are now adding people to the downtown area. This is a great day."

"It is terrific to see this development completed," said MassHousing Executive Director Tom Gleason. "It takes patience to redevelop buildings like this in urban areas but that patience has paid off. People are moving in and lives are being changed in downtown Gardner."

The $20 million development has a number of amenities including a common lounge with fireplace and kitchen, a game room, fitness and activity room, four laundry centers, an outdoor patio and pool and a playground.

Other financing sources included federal and state Low Income Housing Tax Credits, federal and state Historic Tax Credits, the state Department of Housing and Community Development, the Massachusetts Housing Partnership, TD Bank and the city of Gardner.

The contractor was JK Scanlan Company, the architect was The Architectural Team, and the management agent is Peabody Properties.

New apartments open in Brockton as part of major downtown revitalization

Funding from the state's Affordable Housing Trust Fund is supporting 113 new apartments in The Residences at Center and Main in Brockton.

The apartment complex is the first completed phase of the Enterprise Center. Trinity Financial is the lead developer for the Enterprise Center, a Main Street block formerly occupied by the Brockton Enterprise newspaper.

So far, the completed work includes the 113 new units of housing, 65,000 square feet of commercial, retail and artist exhibition space, a parking garage, green space, and a restored park honoring Korean War and Vietnam War veterans.

The project is being built under Chapter 40R. The Brockton commuter rail station is nearby, and the property will be LEED Silver certified. Remaining work for the site is primarily the construction of 112 additional housing units.

"This really is the core of redevelopment of downtown Brockton," said Mayor Bill Carpenter. "Private investment is being spurred by what was created on this block and that will spur public investment and new infrastructure."

MassHousing provided $1.75 million from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. All of the units are contained in a new, four-story building. Seventy one units are affordable to lower-income residents and 29 are being rented at market rates.

"I applaud the vision you have created here with the Enterprise Center," said MassHousing Executive Director Tom Gleason at a recent ribbon-cutting event. "Thank you for letting us help you bring this to life. This is an important development for the city and the residents who live here."

The contractor was CWC Builders, Inc., and the architect was Icon Architecture. The management agent is Trinity Management. The contractor for the commercial building and the restored park was Aberthaw Construction, Inc.

Proving the need for more housing, more than 400 apply for 12 new affordable apartments in Haverhill

More than 400 people applied for 12 new apartment units at the new Winter Street School Apartments in Haverhill, showing that the demand for affordable apartments exceeds supply.
Developed by the Archdiocese of Boston's Planning Office for Urban Affairs, the new housing was created in the former Winter Street School that dated back to the late 1800s.

Cardinal Sean O'Malley, Mayor James Fiorentini, Chrystal Kornegay, Undersecretary for Housing and Community Development (DHCD), and MassHousing Executive Director Tom Gleason participated in a recent ribbon-cutting event to commemorate the occupancy by residents. MassHousing contributed $600,000 in financing from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund.

"The Archdiocese of Boston, through the Planning Office for Urban Affairs, is pleased to have partnered with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the city of Haverhill on this important affordable housing development that will benefit many people in need,” said Cardinal O'Malley.
All 12 apartments are occupied by low-income residents who were among more than 400 people who applied to live there. Located on Winter Street, the new housing is within walking distance to a commuter rail station.

"This wonderful new project is a creative re-use of this old school building, the former Winter Street School,” said Mayor Fiorentini. "We are thrilled that this old school building, which served the Lower Acre community for so many years, will be serving the community again, this time as low-income housing. Low-income housing is a critical need in that area. We were pleased to work with Planning Office for Urban Affairs to help meet that need.”

The property will be listed on the National Register for Historic Places for its contribution to educating Haverhill's workforce. The old elementary school was built after the Civil War and thousands of Haverhill residents attended school there until it closed in the mid-1970s.

"Projects such as the Winter Street School redevelopment, that offer affordable and stable housing, are an important component to strengthening families and the community," said Kornegay. "I look forward to our continued partnerships with municipalities, neighborhoods, communities and engaged citizens as we work on similar projects to improve housing access in Massachusetts."

MassHousing's Gleason noted that having more than 400 people apply for 12 apartments was "sobering," but added that efforts to create affordable housing "are happening all over the state. We do this work one building at a time, one apartment at a time and more importantly, one family at a time. We want to invest wherever people want to create affordable housing.''

The development also received funding from DHCD, the North Shore HOME Consortium, the city of Haverhill, Bank of America, HUD, the Massachusetts Historical Commission and the National Park Service.