MassHousing Update, January 2022 |
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Mid-year lending update: $850 million for 2,880 apartments and more than 1,000 home mortgage loans |
Halfway through the 2022 fiscal year, MassHousing has closed a total of $850.8 million in financing to support affordable homeownership and rental housing opportunities across the Commonwealth. The Agency’s 2022 fiscal year runs from July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022.
MassHousing has closed a total of $532.7 million in financing to create or preserve 2,880 units of rental housing in Massachusetts, 2,779 of which are affordable. The 23 developments receiving funding are located in 16 Massachusetts communities and range in size from the 12-unit 35 Village Hill Road in Northampton to the 448-unit River Place Towers in Lowell.
On the HomeOwnership side, MassHousing has provided $318.1 million in financing. This includes $308 million in first-mortgage loans to help 1,012 households buy or refinance a home, as well as 678 down payment assistance loans for more than $9 million.
Stay tuned for additional lending updates as FY22 continues.
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MassHousing staff recognized |
Pictured above from left are MassHousing's Chrystal Kornegay, Keyla Jackson, Angelo Nuby, Monique Gibbs and Ed Chase
MassHousing's Executive Director Chrystal Kornegay received Metro Housing Boston's 2021 Champions of Housing Lowell L. Richards III Award during a live, virtual event in November. Keyla Jackson (Community Services) accepted an award from the Boston Police Department and MassHousing's Safety Task Force partners in appreciation of the work done before and during the pandemic to support housing and community residents. Angelo Nuby (HomeOwnership), was recognized as Affiliate of the Year by the South Shore Realtors. Angelo has been an active member for many years, serving most recently on the Fair Housing Committee and Diversity Task Force, and as a regular presenter at new agent orientations. Monique Gibbs (Equitable Business Development) received an Emerging Leader Award from the Citizens Housing & Planning Association (CHAPA). Ed Chase (Community Services), was recognized by Self-Esteem Boston for his many years of service helping others transform their lives. Self-Esteem Boston has received funding through the Center for Community Recovery Innovations, which Ed directs.
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Mass. Homeowner Assistance Fund launched to provide mortgage relief for homeowners with COVID-related hardships |
Using federal funds provided by ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act of 2021), the Commonwealth has launched the Massachusetts Homeowner Assistance Fund (Mass HAF).
Mass HAF can provide relief for income-eligible homeowners who are 90+ days behind on their mortgage payments due to COVID. The main objective is to prevent foreclosures and displacement of homeowners and families.
Homeowners can do a quick eligibility check and apply for assistance at www.massmortgagehelp.org. If homeowners are approved, payments will be made to their loan servicing company. Some homeowners may also be eligible for assistance with other overdue housing-related expenses.
Mass HAF is being administered by the Massachusetts Housing Partnership and MassHousing. General public information is available at www.mass.gov/haf. Advocates and community-based organizations can access information and promotional materials in multiple languages at www.masshousing.com/haf. |
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Closing the racial homeownership gap |
MassHousing's Chrystal Kornegay was among the panelists at the Joint Center for Housing Studies' event, "Can we finally close racial homeownership gaps? Insights from three new initiatives," November 30. During the virtual event, Chrystal discussed the CommonWealth Builder Program, which helps to create homeownership opportunities and build generational wealth, particularly among homebuyers of color. Download the presentation slides and view a recording here. |
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Lisa's homebuying success story |
Lisa was intent on moving back to her home state from Colorado. Now, thanks to an affordable mortgage with down payment assistance from MassHousing, she and her family are now happily settled in their new home in Massachusetts. Read Lisa's homebuying story. |
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New podcast covers benefits of homebuyer education, power of homeownership |
In the latest episode of MassHousing's Home at Last in Mass. podcast, the Merrimack Valley Housing Partnership's Cathy Mercado shares how homeownership led her to a career helping others buy their first home, and discusses the benefits of homebuyer education. Listen to this and other Home at Last in Mass. episodes here. |
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Our HomeOwnership Team is ready to help first-time buyers |
MassHousing's HomeOwnership Relationship Management Team is a diverse, multi-lingual group of professionals that are available to help first-time buyers at all phases of the homebuying process. Team members are often in attendance at homebuyer education classes hosted by nonprofit partners across Massachusetts, and they're available for homebuyers to contact via email, phone or text. Meet our Homebuying Team and contact them today! |
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37 Union Street, Attleboro: $4.4 million in MassHousing financing is helping GAM Realty, LLC, E3 Development, LLC, and Affirmative Investments, Inc. transform a vacant, historic jewelry factory into a 59-unit mixed-income housing community. Read more…
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608 Broadway, Lawrence: MassHousing closed $26.9 million in financing to help Trinity Financial create 87 new, mixed-income apartments at the vacant Marriner Mill building. The project is part of the city’s larger redevelopment of the 34-acre Arlington Mills Smart Growth Overlay District. Read more…
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1463 Dorchester Ave., Boston (Dorchester): TLee Development LLC will construct 29 new mixed-income apartments and first-floor commercial space on a vacant site in Dorchester, with the help of $8 million in MassHousing financing. Read more…
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Bancroft Dixwell Apartments, Boston (Roxbury & Jamaica Plain): Urban Edge will use $35.3 million in MassHousing financing to extend affordability and complete extensive renovations at this 78-unit scattered-site development. Read more…
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Council Tower, Boston (Roxbury): MassHousing is providing $28.8 million in financing to help Council of Elders Housing Corp. extend affordability and complete a number of property improvements for senior citizens at this 145-unit development. Read more…
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Woodland Cove, Wareham: Dakota Partners, Inc. is using $9 million in MassHousing financing to help construct Woodland Cove, Phase I, which will consist of 63 new rental homes, including five workforce units. Read more…
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Groundbreakings & ribbon-cuttings |
Throughout the fall, MassHousing joined local and state officials, residents and others to help a number of our business partners celebrate the start and completion of work on affordable rental housing communities in cities and towns across Massachusetts. |
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140 Clarendon, Boston (Back Bay): (Above) MassHousing's Chrystal Kornegay joined Governor Charlie Baker, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and other city and state officials for a groundbreaking celebration at 140 Clarendon in Boston's Back Bay. MassHousing is providing $58 million in financing to help Beacon Communities redevelop the former historic YWCA building into 210 units of affordable housing, including 111 supportive units for formerly homeless households.
Island Parkside, Lawrence: Work is underway on Island Parkside Phase I, a 40-unit climate-resistant development being built in Lawrence. MassHousing provided $1 million for the project through the Affordable Housing Trust Fund.
Walker School Apartments, Taunton: Congratulations to Affordable Housing and Services Collaborative, Inc. and Taunton Revitalization, Inc. on the completion of this 40-unit rental community for older adults, which received $9.5 million in MassHousing financing.
Courthouse Lofts, Worcester: (Below) MassHousing's Cynthia Lacasse joined Lt. Governor Karyn Polito, Worcester Mayor Joseph Petty and other city and state officials to help Trinity Financial celebrate the completion of Courthouse Lofts in Worcester. MassHousing provided $35.8 million in financing for the project, which converted the former Worcester County Courthouse into a 117-unit mixed-income rental community.
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SHERA has provided $14.3 million in emergency rental assistance to 5,700 households. Funds still available |
SHERA (Subsidized Housing Emergency Rental Assistance) provides qualified owners of affordable rental housing and Local Housing Authorities with an expedited path to apply for federal Emergency Rental Assistance on behalf of income-eligible tenants.
As of December 31, 2021, SHERA had provided $14.3 million in relief funds on behalf of nearly 5,700 households. The average arrearage per claim was $1,733. Assistance has been paid to 616 different rental properties across Massachusetts and the average number of days between an owner applying for assistance and receiving it was just 18 days.
Are you an owner seeking pandemic relief for past-due rent at a subsidized development? Visit the SHERA portal. |
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Imanol Cruz: a young man on a mission |
Imanol Cruz' experience in a summer jobs program sponsored by MassHousing inspired him to help other young people find work and build confidence. Read Imanol's story. |
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MassHousing grants support affordable sober housing in eight communities |
MassHousing recently awarded $627,350 in grants to support affordable housing and related programming for individuals and families in recovery in Boston, Dartmouth, Leominster, Lowell, Lynn. Oakham, Springfield and Worcester. The awards were made through the Center for Community Recovery Innovations (CCRI) and will help to create 46 new units and preserve an additional 35 units. Learn more about CCRI and the grant recipients.
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In recent years, thousands of residents and staff members from hundreds of rental communities across Massachusetts improved their sites through TAP, MassHousing's award-winning Tenant Assistance Program. MassHousing is excited to announce that TAP trainings and webinars, resident programs and dispute resolution services are back and available in 2022. Resident programs are available in-person and virtually and there are more training offerings than ever on important housing-related topics. Learn more about TAP and the different membership options now available. |
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WORC2 Aims to Promote Diversity and Inclusion in Construction Industry |
MassHousing joined Governor Baker and other state and local officials to help NEI General Contracting celebrate the opening of the Workforce Opportunity Resource Center (WORC 2) in Roxbury.
Designed to engage local community-based businesses and workers in the construction industry, particularly those underrepresented in the market, WORC² will offer resources and technical support to promote worker development, business capacity building and growth in the local construction community. Through education and information sharing, WORC² aims to remove the systemic barriers workers face when trying to access the construction industry.
WORC² will offer an extensive curriculum of professional and industry-specific training sessions, seminars, webinars and mentorships for subcontractors and workers. Information will be presented in multiple languages to better engage the local community.
"The investment being provided to the community through WORC2 is a gem in the city of Roxbury," said Andrea Laing, MassHousing's Director of Diversity & Inclusion and WORC2 Board Member.
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