Press Release  Healey-Driscoll Administration Auctions Five Properties for Housing Development

Newton, MA — On Wednesday, the Healey-Driscoll Administration held its first auction of state-owned surplus property for housing development under Governor Healey's State Land for Homes initiative. The Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM) put five underutilized and vacant state-owned parcels totaling almost 25 acres of land up for auction, performed by JJ Manning Auctioneers, on September 10^th. The auction resulted in the sale of all five parcels, generating a total of $2.9 million in revenue and ensuring that underutilized former state-owned land will be developed into housing in the towns of Wilmington, Westborough, Northborough, Templeton and Phillipston.

“This auction is an important milestone in our efforts to make state-owned land available for housing development, so we can get more reasonably priced homes built more quickly in this state,” said Governor Maura Healey. “I’m proud of the team at DCAMM for the progress they have been making on our State Land for Homes Initiative, from putting vacant lots in Bridgewater and Bedford out to bid to hosting this successful auction, and I’m grateful for all of the developers who have stepped up to build on these lands.”

Each parcel that was sold with the sale price is listed below. The buyers now have a 30 day due diligence period before closing. 

• Lyman St., Westborough - A 5.8 acre parcel
  • Sold for $1.125 million
• 0 Lyman St., Northborough - A 5.45 acre parcel
  • Sold for $550,000
• Salem St., Wilmington - A 2.5 acre parcel
  • Sold for $625,000
• 0 Royalston Rd., Templeton – A 5.8 acre parcel
  • Sold for $265,000
• 461 Freight Shed Rd. (Church Hill Rd.), Phillipston – A 4.6-acre parcel
  • Sold for $80,000

“The parcels auctioned today represent our administration's commitment to getting more housing online faster and easier,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “We know that public-private partnerships like these are so important for ending our housing shortage and bringing down costs. I’m thankful to the developers at today’s auction and we can’t wait to see all the new homes coming to Massachusetts!”

More information about each parcel can be found on the State Land for Home page. Each parcel auctioned is deed-restricted, requiring development for housing purposes specifically. The parcels in Westborough, Wilmington and Northborough were sold with authority granted to DCAMM under the 2024 Affordable Homes Act, which requires that municipalities permit housing as-of-right at a density of at least four units per acre. Those towns also have Inclusionary Zoning requirements for the construction of affordable housing, which will apply to these developments as well.

"Today's auction is another example of how the Affordable Homes Act is moving swiftly to cut red tape and deliver results," said Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Ed Augustus. “By turning surplus state land into new homes at a range of price points, we’re creating more affordable choices for Massachusetts residents while putting parcels back on the local tax rolls.”

“This auction was a success on multiple fronts--putting five underutilized state properties back into productive use, unlocking new housing development, and earning Massachusetts nearly $3 million in revenues,” said Administration and Finance Secretary Matthew J. Gorzkowicz. “Thank you to the many stakeholders who enabled this auction, and I look forward to the next steps in our State Land for Homes initiative, including seeing these housing projects come to life.” 

“DCAMM is thrilled with the successful auction of five parcels in different areas of the state, that will now be reactivated with new housing to help address the most pressing issue facing the Commonwealth,” said Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance Commissioner Adam Baacke. “This is a major milestone for the Healey Driscoll Administration’s State Land for Homes initiative, made possible by the excellent work of JJ Manning and the DCAMM staff. We look forward to continuing the momentum of this critical initiative.” 

The Healey-Driscoll Administration has made housing a top priority, including 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. As a result, more than 90,000 new homes have been built or are in development since Governor Healey took office.

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