MassHousing's Equitable Business Development Division was created to advance and foster equitable business growth across the Agency.

MassHousing's Equitable Business Development team was in Worcester recently, connecting with partners and seeing the impact of the Agency's work first-hand. Pictured above are members of the Equitable Business Development Division with Worcester City Manager Eric Batista (third from right).

During the visit, EBD toured several multi-unit affordable rental and homeownership projects funded by MassHousing through the Neighborhood Stabilization and Gateway Housing Rehabilitation Programs, which address disinvestment and blighted conditions in Massachusetts communities. The programs provide capital grant funds for the redevelopment, reconstruction, renovation, or repair of substandard and blighted properties, helping stabilize neighborhoods across the Commonwealth.

NSP and GHRP funds empower cities, towns, nonprofits, and community development corporations to create new homeownership opportunities, assist homeowners in need of extensive repairs, and rehabilitate rental properties with 15 units or less.

MassHousing recently launched its 2023 Summer Internship Program with a talented cohort of 10 student professionals representing a variety of fields of study at eight colleges and universities. The interns are vital contributors who will help MassHousing meet our mission of confronting the Commonwealth's housing challenges. Interns will work in Equitable Business Development, Homeownership, Housing Stability and Rental Underwriting/Multifamily, developing individual and professional skills while also forging relationships within MassHousing and beyond.

On June 13 at the State House, Governor Healy announced the creation of the Massachusetts Community Climate Bank, which will act as a financial engine to accelerate statewide decarbonization in the building sector. Seeded with $50 million in state funds from the Climate Mitigation Trust, the Community Climate Bank it will attract private sector capital and federal funds and partner with other state programs to finance clean energy retrofits and new construction of decarbonized buildings.

The Community Climate Bank will be based at MassHousing and will be a partnership among the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (Mass CEC), MassDevelopment and MassHousing. The goal is to leverage each entity’s capabilities in the identification, development, financing and execution of clean energy projects. For its initial phase--consistent with MassHousing's mission and the administration’s focus on a just energy transition--the Community Climate Bank will focus on the affordable housing sector.

Worcester Common Ground received an NSP grant to redevelop an urban lot into the housing pictured above

Neighborhood Stabilization staff oversee certain capital grants for MassHousing, including:

Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) provides grant funding to municipalities, nonprofits, CDCs and their partners to create new homeownership opportunities in 1-4 unit properties; assist homeowners in need of extensive home repairs; or rehabilitate rental properties with 15 units or less. Eight projects were awarded funds in the 2022 funding round, of which one is complete and three are either in construction or will be within the coming weeks. At least one other project will be under construction this summer, while the others expect to be ready for a fall or winter construction start. Eleven of the 18 qualified applications received in the January 2023 funding round have received funding awards totaling just over $8 million. A third funding round is planned for the fall of 2023.

Fire Sprinkler System Program (FSSP) is designed to support and protect sober housing in Massachusetts by providing one-time grants of up to $80,000 to Massachusetts Alliance for Sober Housing (MASH)-Certified Sober Homes for the installation of sprinkler systems. MassHousing is offering a total of $3.8 million in FSSP funds on a rolling application basis. Thus far, we have awarded over $800,000 in grants to 13 sober homes across the Commonwealth. Funds are still available to qualified homes.

Gateway Housing Rehabilitation Program (GHRP) offers funding on a rolling basis for the rehabilitation of 1–4-unit homebuyer, homeowner and rental properties in Gateway Cities and similarly-situated communities. Municipalities, nonprofit or for-profit developers or small landlords interested in rehabilitating their properties and creating or protecting affordable units are eligible to apply for these funds. Eighteen eligible applications have been received, and seven applications (19 units) have been reviewed and awarded funds thus far. Although all available FY2023 funds are now earmarked for the awarded projects, an additional $2.375 million will be made available in July 2023.

The Center for Community Recovery Initiatives (CCRI) offers $700,000 in capital and program grants each year to nonprofit organizations that provide sober housing and related services. We will be opening a new round of funding in July 2023.

Learn more about upcoming NSP funding opportunities. 

Pictured from left at a ribbon-cutting event for the Lower Street Apartments in Quincy Point are MassHousing's Nichole Mikshenas, Neighborworks' Maureen Fitzgerald and State Sen. John Keenan. The project received a $75,000 grant through CCRI.

Pictured clockwise from back left at the 2023 LegCon are MassHousing's General Council Colin McNiece, VP of Equitable Business Development Tony Richards, Director of Government Affairs Nancy McDonald and Executive Director Chrystal Kornegay.

2023 NCSHA Legislative Conference

MassHousing was well represented at the 2023 Legislative Conference hosted by the National Council of State Housing Agencies (NCSHA) from March 27-29 in Washington, D.C. The annual conference brings together housing finance agency leaders from across the country to meet with legislators about about the impact of federal housing programs and the need to expand housing resources.

Affordable Housing Forum Hosted by Rep. Keating

MassHousing's Director of Government Affairs Nancy McDonald represented the Agency at an affordable housing forum hosted by Congressman William Keating at UMass Dartmouth in April 2023. The event focused on the affordable housing challenges facing South Coast communities.

MassHousing's Nancy McDonald (right) at an Affordable Housing Forum hosted by Congressman William Keating at UMass Dartmouth.

The Massachusetts Supplier Diversity Office (SDO) recently recognized MassHousing for its outstanding participation in the Commonwealth's Supplier Diversity Program, which "encourages the award of state contracts in a way that strengthens and increases business opportunities" for diverse businesses. Pictured above from left are MassHousing's VP of Equitable Business Development Tony Richards Directory of Diverse Business Engagement Andrea Laing with SDO Executive Director William McAvoy.

The Neighborhood Hub, the Commonwealth's technical assistance program for neighborhood stabilization and revitalization, is launching a pilot program that pairs development consultants with small developers working in Gateway Cities. Consultants will provide capacity-building support for residential projects, such as advising on potential joint ventures, assisting with funding applications, evaluating project budgets and assessing permitting options.  

If you are an experienced developer interested in working as a development consultant, be on the lookout for a Request for Qualifications, which will soon be posted at www.masshousing.com/rfp. Or, email Monica Passeno for more information!

Best Regards,  

Tony Richards 

Vice President of Equitable Business Development