Utilizing up to $250,000 in funds recovered by the Office of Massachusetts Attorney General (AGO) through a nationwide state-federal settlement resolving allegations that certain banks engaged in unlawful foreclosure practices on residential properties in Massachusetts, Attorney General Maura Healey is pleased to re-launch the Abandoned Housing Initiative Strategic Demolition Fund (SDF).
This grant is administered by the AGO. Please refer to the SDF Terms and Conditions document, which can be found in the grant announcement, for grant requirements and application instructions.
Applicant Eligibility
Applications may be submitted by the following entities for demolition grant funding consideration:
- Massachusetts Community Development Corporations (CDC)
- Massachusetts Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI)
- Municipal Governments
- Municipal Housing and Redevelopment Authorities
- Nonprofit organizations
Affordable Housing Supplementary Grant
At the discretion of the AGO, up to an additional $25,000 in matching grant funds may be awarded to post-demolition redevelopment projects in which affordable housing is the primary end-use. Affordable housing projects proposed for supplementary grant funding should be consistent with standards or programs administered by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Massachusetts quasi-public agencies, or the federal government. Applicants are responsible for providing evidence that their affordable housing project is consistent with applicable programs or standards.
Applicants must clearly state in their application whether the funds requested for post-demolition redevelopment will be used for the construction of an affordable housing structure. Any request to utilize the Affordable Housing Supplementary Grant must include robust plans which detail the affordable housing construction project’s scope, timeline, and cost. Successful demolition grant applications with post-demolition redevelopment plans eligible for the Affordable Housing Supplementary Grant are not guaranteed matching grant funding under this supplement.
Rolling Application Periods
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis during two open application periods until each application period’s awards have been allocated. It is expected that $125,000 will be available during each application period.
Application Period 1: 11/19/2018 to 6/30/2019
- Up to $125,000 expected to be available
Application Period 2: 7/1/2019 to 6/30/2020
- Up to $125,000 expected to be available
- Unexpended funds from Application Period 1 may increase amount available during Application Period 2
Application Instructions
Applications should include the following:
- Applicant mission statement and contact information
- General applicant information:
- Organizational summaries for nonprofits and CDCs; or
- Description of entity’s primary functions for housing or redevelopment authorities and quasi-state entities; or
- Department of municipal government serving as applicant
- Description of property targeted for demolition
- Narrative supporting the decision and need to demolish the property with significant attention paid to how the demolition satisfies the SDF Terms and Conditions
- A post-demolition redevelopment plan that satisfies the SDF Terms and Conditions along with a commitment to complete the redevelopment plan in a timely manner
- Clear and organized budget documents outlining the itemized costs for demolition and redevelopment
Questions
All questions regarding grant terms, project eligibility, and the application process should be directed to:
Nathan Gardner
Program Manager, Abandoned Housing Initiative
Office of the Attorney General
One Ashburton Place, 18th Floor
Boston, MA 02108
(617) 963-2150