Press Release  Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces $182 Million for 1,245 New Rental Homes

Winchester — The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced $182 million in low-income housing tax credits and subsidies to 21 rental housing developments that will create or preserve 1,245 homes across Massachusetts. In total, the administration has supported the creation of 6,071 affordable rental units since Governor Maura Healey took office in January 2023.

These awards were made possible in part through the Affordable Homes Act and by Governor Healey’s tax cuts package, which raised the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit to $60 million annually, a $20 million increase that allows the state to support more affordable housing production.  

“Our administration is working on all fronts to build more reasonably-priced housing and lower costs for everyone,” said Governor Healey. “These awards are creating thousands of apartments that people can actually afford. This is helping seniors age independently and close to their families and helping workers afford to live in the communities where their jobs are. Congratulations to the municipalities and developers who are receiving these well-deserved awards today.”

“The projects we’re supporting today reflect what’s possible when government, developers and community partners work together to build the housing we need,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “From rehabbing public housing to expanding housing for seniors, this round demonstrates the breadth and creativity of housing solutions across the state.”

“This funding round is about more than bricks and mortar, it’s about people,” said Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Ed Augustus. “Whether it’s a formerly homeless individual in Boston, a senior in Topsfield, or a working family in Easthampton, the homes we’re supporting will change lives. These projects exemplify the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s belief that everyone in Massachusetts deserves a safe, stable and affordable place to live.”

Nearly 420 of these homes will be deeply affordable for households earning less than 30 percent of the area median income (AMI), including many individuals and families transitioning out of homelessness. In total, 1,143 of the homes will be affordable to those earning less than 80 percent of AMI.

This round of funding includes:

• $32.2 million in federal 4 percent and 9 percent Low-Income Housing Tax Credits
• $31.6 million in state Low-Income Housing Tax Credits
• $118.2 million in direct subsidies from the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC)

These investments will leverage nearly $450 million in private equity, supporting urgently needed affordable housing in urban, suburban and rural communities.

Awardees include developments in communities such as Boston, Foxborough, Hadley, Holyoke, Malden, New Bedford, and Worcester.

Governor Healey, Lieutenant Governor Driscoll, and Secretary Augustus made today’s announcement at Waterfield Commons, a new transit-oriented development next to the Winchester MBTA station. The project is a partnership between Causeway Development and John Rudzinski and will create 56 mixed-income rental units.

“We’re honored to be working in partnership with Civico Development and the town of Winchester to bring Waterfield Commons to life,” said Causeway Development Principal Dave Traggorth. “This project embodies the kind of housing our region urgently needs — resilient, inclusive and thoughtfully integrated into the fabric of the community. With more than 70% of the 56 homes set aside as affordable, Waterfield Commons represents a rare opportunity to expand access to one of the commonwealth’s highest opportunity areas. Its location — adjacent to the newly rebuilt Winchester Center MBTA station — makes it a model for climate-smart, transit-oriented development. We’re grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration, EOHLC, and the Winchester community for supporting this vision and enabling us to move forward with a project that will serve generations to come.”

"Rental homes are a critical part of solving our state's housing affordability challenges," said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). "These investments reflect our shared commitment to tackling the housing crisis from every angle—creating new homes for working families, supporting seniors who want to age in place, and helping individuals transition out of homelessness. I’m proud that the Legislature passed this funding into law, and thankful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration for disbursing these funds quickly across the state."

“There is a dire need for more affordable housing options for residents in communities across Massachusetts,” said State Senator Jason Lewis. “As a result of the efforts of the state legislature and Healey administration, I’m pleased that these excellent affordable housing projects are able to move forward.”

“I am very happy to see this project moving forward after some twists and turns,” said State Representative Michael Day. “This partnership between the state, the town and the private sector will help to transform downtown Winchester for the better, and the construction of this transit-oriented housing ensures that we are both investing in our residents of today as well as continuing to make Winchester an attractive place to live for future generations. I appreciate the leadership of our town officials and the cooperation of the Healey Administration in making this project a reality.”

"We must use all the tools we have at our disposal to tackle the housing crisis. I am so glad to see another affordable housing development coming soon to our community thanks to these grants,” said State Senator Pat Jehlen.

The Healey-Driscoll Administration has made housing a top priority, starting with the creation of the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities in 2023. Since then, the Administration has initiated a comprehensive approach that includes passage of the $5 billion Affordable Homes Act, implementation of the MBTA Communities Law, creation of the Momentum Fund, the new State Land for Homes initiative to jumpstart housing production on state land, sizable increases in housing tax credits and subsidies and the elimination of renter-paid broker’s fees. 

The 2025 Affordable Housing Development grant awards:

Devenscrest Village is an existing occupied project located in Ayer. The project features 37 buildings with 114 total units. Devenscrest Village Tenants Association, an affiliate of Schochet Companies, will purchase the property, undertake necessary rehabilitation, and add affordability restrictions to multiple units in several different Devenscrest buildings. 

50 Herald Street is a new construction project for families located in Boston’s Chinatown neighborhood. The sponsor is a partnership between Beacon Communities and the Chinese Benevolent Society. When completed, the project will offer 117 total units as well as ground floor commercial space. The completed project will include affordable rental tiers for households earning less than 80%, 60%, 50%, and 30% of AMI. 

68 Homes is a preservation and rehabilitation project located on several sites in Boston. The sponsor is the non-profit Southwest Boston Community Development Corporation. The project features the rehabilitation of multiple existing buildings as affordable family housing. When rehabilitation of 68 Homes is completed, 67 units will be reserved for families earning less than 80% of AMI, with 22 units further reserved for families earning less than 30% of AMI.

250 Seaver Street is a rehabilitation project located in Boston and intended to serve homeless individuals. The non-profit sponsor is Commonwealth Land Trust. When rehabilitation is complete, the project will provide 16 single-room occupancy units for homeless individuals, who will be able to access supportive services provided by the sponsor.  

1392 House/19-21 Faulkner is an occupied preservation and refinancing project located in Boston. The sponsor is VietAID. The refinancing will stabilize 1392 House and 1921 Faulkner and allow VietAID to continue serving 18 homeless individuals, including youth and families, all with very limited incomes. VietAID will offer extensive supportive services to residents.

Mildred Hailey 2 is a new construction project for families located in the Jackson Square neighborhood of Jamaica Plain. The sponsor is the non-profit Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Development Corporation (JPNDC). This phase of the Bromley Heath public housing complex will feature 65 total units, with all units affordable to households earning less than 60% of AMI. Seventeen units will be further restricted for households earning less than 30% of AMI.

New North is a new construction project in Boston. The project will be built on the existing campus of the non-profit homeless provider, St. Mary’s Center for Women and Children. St. Mary’s is working in partnership with the Planning Office of Urban Affairs (POUA). New North is intended to serve homeless families, who will be able to access multiple supportive services offered by St. Mary’s. When New North is completed, it will offer 71 units for homeless families with incomes typically below 50% or 30% of AMI. 

Walden Square II is a new construction expansion project located near Porter Square in Cambridge. The project will be built adjacent to the existing and occupied Walden Square I.  The sponsor is Winn Development. When completed, Walden Square II will offer 95 total units. The completed project will include affordable rental tiers for households earning less than 80%, 60%, and 30% of AMI.  

Ferry Street is a new construction project to be built in Easthampton. The nonprofit sponsor is Home City Development, Inc. The project will be constructed on a site including former mill buildings. When completed, Ferry Street will offer 96 total units. Ninety-one units will be reserved for households earning less than 60% of AMI, with 27 units further reserved for households earning less than 30% of AMI and, in some cases, transitioning from homelessness.

Walnut Street Phase Two is a new construction project for seniors located on former state- and housing-authority-owned land in Foxborough. The sponsor is the non-profit Affordable Housing & Services Collaborative (AHSC). The first phase of Walnut Street is in construction.  The new phase, when completed, will offer 59 total units for senior individuals or households.  On completion, all 59 units will be reserved for seniors earning less than 60% of AMI, with 16 units further restricted for seniors earning less than 30% of AMI. 

Carlson Crossing East is the final phase of a major public housing redevelopment project in Framingham. The sponsor is the Framingham Housing Authority. When completed, Carlson Crossing East will offer 61 total units, all of which will be reserved for households earning less than 50% of AMI and, in some cases, transitioning from homelessness. 

EconoLodge Redevelopment in Hadley is the adaptive re-use of a closed hotel as permanent supportive housing. The non-profit sponsor is Valley Community Development Corporation. The completed project will include 50 units for individuals or small households earning less than 60% of AMI, with 31 units further reserved for individuals or small households earning less than 30% of AMI. The completed project primarily will serve homeless individuals.

South Holyoke Homes Phase 3 is a new construction family housing project in Holyoke.  The sponsor is Housing Innovations and Programming, Inc., working with the Holyoke Housing Authority.  When completed, the project will offer 40 total units. All units will be affordable to households earning less than 60% of AMI. Ten units will be further restricted for households earning less than 30% of AMI and, in some cases, transitioning from homelessness. 

Eagle Mill Phase II is a new construction project adjacent to Eagle Mill Phase I, a mill conversion project now underway in Lee. The sponsor of both phases is a partnership between Hearthway and Jon Rudzinski of Rees-Larkin. When completed, Eagle Mill Phase II will offer 44 total units. Twenty-four units will be reserved for families earning less than 60% of AMI, with eight units further restricted for families earning less than 30% of AMI and, in some cases, transitioning from homelessness. 

213 Main Street is a new construction affordable housing project to be built in Malden. The non-profit sponsor is Asian Community Development Corporation. When completed, 213 Main Street will offer 20 total units for families. All units will be reserved for households earning less than 60% of AMI, with five units further reserved for households earning less than 30% of AMI and, in some cases, transitioning from homelessness. 

Temple Landing II is a new construction project to be built in New Bedford. The project is the final phase of the redevelopment of a large public housing site. This phase will offer 27 total affordable units. The non-profit sponsor is Preservation of Affordable Housing (POAH).   All 27 units will be affordable to households earning less than 60% of AMI, with six units further reserved for households earning less than 30% of AMI. 

HSL Stoughton is a new construction project for seniors located in Stoughton. The sponsor is the non-profit Hebrew Senior Life, Inc. The project will offer 96 total units for seniors.  All 96 units will be reserved for seniors earning less than 60% of AMI, with 36 units further reserved for seniors earning less than 30% of AMI.

Emerson Homes is a new construction project for seniors located in Topsfield. The nonprofit sponsor is the Caleb Foundation. When completed, Emerson Homes will offer 44 total units.  Forty-three units will be affordable to seniors earning less than 60% of AMI, with 11 units further reserved for seniors earning less than 30% of AMI. 

Cranberry Manor Phase II is a new construction project for seniors located in Wareham. The non-profit sponsor is NeighborWorks Housing Solutions. Phase II will be built adjacent to the existing and occupied Cranberry Manor Phase I. When completed, the project will offer 40 total units. All units will be affordable to seniors earning less than 60% of AMI, with eight units further reserved for seniors learning less than 30% of AMI and, in some cases, transitioning from homelessness. 

Waterfield Commons is a new construction transit-oriented project in Winchester. The sponsors are members of a partnership between Causeway Development and John Rudzinski.  The project will be constructed in a parking lot for the Winchester MBTA station and, when completed, will include 56 new units, both affordable and market rate. Of the 56 units, 40 will be restricted for households earning less than 60% of AMI, with 8 units further restricted for households earning less than 30% of AMI and, in some cases, transitioning from homelessness.

Colony on Grove Beech is the second phase of a four-phase demolition and new construction project for seniors in Worcester. The sponsor is Colony Retirement Homes, Inc., working with Affirmative Investments, Inc. When construction is completed, Colony on Grove Beech will offer 48 total units. All units will be affordable to seniors earning less than 60% of AMI, with 12 units further restricted for seniors earning less than 30% of AMI. 

###