MassHousing Blog

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.

New Housing for At-Risk Young Adults Opens in Orange

Orange Teen Housing, in the north central Massachusetts town of Orange is a new 10-unit community for a particularly vulnerable population: young adults at risk of homelessness. MassHousing played a key role in making it possible thanks to funding from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund.

The project was just recently completed by Rural Development, Inc., an affiliate of the Franklin County Regional Housing and Redevelopment Authority, in conjunction with Dial Self, a community-based nonprofit organization serving youth in Western Massachusetts since 1977.

As Lynn Shields, Manager of the Affordable Housing Trust Fund stated in her comments at the opening, "There are few life events, if any, that destabilize young people more than losing their home base. It leaves them vulnerable to physical illness, emotional illness, drug and alcohol abuse, and sexual exploitation. Providing a stable home such as the one we are celebrating today gives them the choice of a different path which may lead to a more productive and fulfilling life. In short, this program is changing lives."

MassHousing provided more than $800,000 for Orange Teen Housing from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, which MassHousing administers on behalf of the state Department of Housing and Community Development.

Orange Teen Housing is made up of efficiency units for young adults, many of whom have been served historically by the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families and who are no longer eligible for such services due to their age. The first floor of the building has common space for supportive services, staff and resident meetings, and social and educational events for the residents and other young adults. 

State officials at the event noted that there is a large need for supportive housing for teens in Massachusetts, particularly in the central part of the state where there are fewer resources available to teens and young adults.

Renovations Completed for Senior Citizens and Disabled Residents at Central Annex and Union Court in Pittsfield

Tim Sullivan, MassHousing's Deputy Director for Finance and Rental Programs, speaks at the Central Annex Ribbon-Cutting

Preservation of Affordable Housing (POAH) has completed extensive renovations at the 101-unit Central Annex/Union Court in Pittsfield while also preserving affordability for senior citizens and disabled residents there for the long term.

MassHousing provided $8.9 million in financing for the $16 million project, including a $5.4 million construction and permanent loan and a $3.5 million bridge loan. An additional $1.75 million was provided from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, which MassHousing manages on behalf of the state Department of Housing and Community Development.

Central Annex encompasses two low-rise brick buildings. The first, on Second Avenue, was built as the Central High School in 1898. The other, located on Union Street, started as the Berkshire Hotel in 1905. In 1979, both buildings were converted into housing with MassHousing financing and both are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

POAH has renewed the Section 8 Housing Assistance Payment contract on all 101 apartments, which will keep them affordable for nearly 30 years.

"It's a gem of a property. We will be here for the long term," said POAH CEO Aaron Gornstein at a Sept. 28 event to celebrate the completion of renovations. Gornstein noted that had POAH not purchased the housing in 2007 and extended the Section 8 contract the affordable apartments would have been at risk of converting to market rates.

POAH made substantial renovations to the property, including upgrades to plumbing, HVAC and fire safety systems, as well as kitchens, bathrooms and elevators. The property also received a new roof and limited masonry repointing.

"Central Annex is a beautiful property that will continue to provide affordable homes to senior citizens and disabled residents in Pittsfield," said Tim Sullivan, MassHousing's Deputy Director for Finance and Rental Programs. "We were very pleased to be able to work with POAH to help renovate the property and make sure it remains as an important affordable housing resource for the residents who live there."

Other funding for the development was provided by DHCD and equity from the sale of Low Income Housing Tax Credits.

The contractor was Keith Construction, Inc. and the architect was Guzman Prufer, Inc. The management agent is POAH.

Parsons Village Completed in Easthampton

New housing will provide affordable apartments for 38 families

A new affordable housing community will provide homes for 38 families with the opening of Parsons Village in Easthampton.

MassHousing provided $1.175 million for Parsons Village from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, which MassHousing manages on behalf of the state Department of Housing and Community Development.

Parsons Village was developed by the Valley Community Development Corp. and HAPHousing and is a new construction housing community consisting of four studio units, eight one-bedroom units, 18 two-bedroom units and eight three-bedroom units in seven buildings on a 4.34-acre parcel near Mount Tom. Two of the units are fully accessible.

All of the units are affordable and Parsons Village incorporated LEED design specifications for green space and building components. The housing is clustered with a southern orientation to conserve open space and to utilize solar energy.

The contractor was Allegrone Construction Co. and the architect was Dietz Architects. HAPHousing is the property manager.

Village Green Apartments Completed in Barnstable

The first phase of the Village Green Apartments in Barnstable has been completed with 60 new affordable apartments for families.

The Village Green Apartments were developed by Dakota Partners, Inc. The 60 new units are located in two three-story, wood-frame buildings on Independence Drive in Barnstable.

The project received $1 million from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, which is administered by MassHousing on behalf of the state Department of Housing and Community Development.

Dakota Partners is planning a second phase of development that will involve another 60 new rental units in two buildings.

The Energy Star certified buildings were constructed using modular technology and provide elevator service. Each building contains a mix of one, two and three-bedroom units serving the needs of the Cape's singles, couples and families.

Renovation and Expansion of Hong Lok House Completed

The $37M project created 74 new units of affordable housing in Chinatown

Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh recently joined the Greater Boston Chinese Golden Age Center (GBCGAC) and Rogerson Communities to celebrate the grand opening and ribbon cutting of the Hong Lok House, a 74-unit affordable rental housing development for seniors in Chinatown.

The more than $37 million renovation and expansion project improved services to the city's low-income senior population with 74 new and preserved apartments as well as a roof deck garden, common area living spaces and an adult day health program staffed by the GBCGAC.

MassHousing provided $1 million for Hong Lok House through the Affordable Housing Trust Fund.

"The City of Boston is thrilled to open Hong Lok, and we know how important it is to maintain and add to our affordable housing market in the city," said Mayor Walsh. "I thank Rogerson Communities, the Greater Boston Chinese Golden Age Center, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), and all partners involved in this project. Working together, we are helping to keep Boston a diverse city that is open and affordable to everyone who wants to live here."

The GBCGAC serves approximately 1,200 low income seniors daily in Chinatown. The City of Boston and Boston Redevelopment Authority contributed more than $11 million to the development.

The original Hong Lok House contained 28 substandard and outdated HUD Section 202 units, which are covered by a Housing Assistance Payment contract. Construction was conducted in two phases to avoid temporary off-site relocation of the existing Chinatown residents. Existing residents moved into the 33-unit first phase, at which point the existing building was demolished except for the façade, and construction of the 42-unit second phase commenced.

All of the housing units are affordable to households earning at or below 50% of the area median income (AMI). The building consists of 38 studio and 37 one-bedroom apartments, including one reserved for the manager's unit. Eight of the units are set-aside for homeless households earning at or below 30% AMI. All units are universally adaptable to elderly occupants and four units are fully handicap accessible.

"To be able to develop 74-units of quality affordable housing for low-income senior citizens in Chinatown is a very important accomplishment for the neighborhood," said MassHousing Executive Director Tom Gleason. "The city, Rogerson Communities, the Greater Boston Chinese Golden Age Center and the many other entities and people who stuck with this project for many years should be commended for creating such a valuable housing asset for the seniors who live there and the neighborhood overall."

Located in the important Liberty Tree Historic District in Chinatown, the old facades of the buildings were preserved, and construction was planned in stages in order to avoid displacing frail elderly residents. Chia-Ming Sze Architects, Inc. designed the new building and Walsh Brothers was general contractor.

"We want to give seniors and families the opportunity to live in this neighborhood," said Mayor Walsh. "This building is something the entire community can be proud of."

Hong Lok House features include:

• 74 new affordable apartments for low-income elders with an additional unit for a live-in manager
• An adult day health program for 32 participants daily, a significant increase over the current allowed daily enrollment of 20 participants.
• Wheelchair and street level accessibility.
• Private space for medical treatment.
• Rooftop "Green roof" and T'ai Chi deck with wheelchair accessibility.
• A separate senior drop-in center, offering community space, fitness programs and ballroom dancing.

The Hong Lok House meets the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED Silver standard with many energy efficient features, including the green roof which will provide essential on-site outdoor space for residents. The roof is fully accessible and reached easily via an elevator.