Funding awarded for affordable housing in South Hadley, HolyokeDate: 1/30/2024 Thanks to state funding, the Plaza Apartments in South Hadley and the Essex in Holyoke are both recipients of this award that will be used toward affordable housing development.
Announced on Jan. 22 by Gov. Maura Healey, the state funds come from the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, also referred to as EOHLC.
“We appreciate the state’s support,” said Way Finders President and CEO Keith Fairey. “This is a big step toward providing much needed affordable housing in the region.”
The Plaza Apartments are in the Newton Street Smart Growth District, where the town of South Hadley has focused on creating new housing with access to jobs, retail and transit. A proposed new senior center is also less than a quarter mile away.
Fairey said like other communities, South Hadley is in need of more affordable housing units. The town had just recently announced its Housing Production Plan which will help guide the town toward safe harbor under state law. As long as South Hadley remains under the 10% affordable housing requirement, mixed-income housing developers can use a comprehensive permit to sidestep local housing laws, such as zoning.
Once the town reaches the 10% threshold, South Hadley receives safe harbor, preventing any comprehensive permitted projects and bringing the town into safe harbor.
“South Hadley is taking affordable housing seriously, including in our recently approved Housing Production Plan,” said South Hadley Town Administrator Lisa Wong. “The town recognizes how affordable housing is integral to its economic success.”
The L-shaped building will be oriented around a central courtyard, and included one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. Five units will be accessible for people with physical disabilities and two will be equipped for people with sensory impairments. There will also be three units reserved for clients of the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health.
Fairey said Way Finders is happy to be working with the town in meeting this goal and that its Housing Production Plan is an encouraging effort to resolve this issue.
“The building will offer important amenities and a full community experience,” said co-developer Rocco Falcone.
According to Falcone, some of these amenities include laundry, Way Finders property management, resident services and 24-hour maintenance. To aid in community experience, there will be a community room with a kitchenette, a courtyard with tables, benches and bike racks, as well as on-site and off-street parking for 75 vehicles.
Construction of the Plaza Apartments is slated to start in fall 2024 and will take approximately 16 months to complete.
The Essex in Holyoke is Way Finders’ latest effort to transform and reshape the Chestnut-Essex Street corridor, located at Appleton Street (#344), Chestnut Street (#188-190, 213-215) and Elm Street (#207).
Comprised of four sites and offering 41 affordable rental units, The Essex will encircle Way Finders’ first focal point — Library Commons, completed in 2021 and featuring 38 affordable units. The Essex will follow the same approach — building of new, the rehabbing of old — through the construction of three townhome-style buildings and the renovation of a circa 1888 structure, set to begin by the end of 2024.
Fairey said these efforts in Holyoke are Phase 2 of the Library Commons project.
“Way Finders was a participant in their urban planning renewal process, and we began to acquire properties in that area to redevelop them,” Fairey said. “This is the second phase of that work. This will add an additional 41 units. Units that are blighted, abandoned, those will receive this investment and most importantly help offer more affordable housing for people living in Holyoke.”
Located a block from the restored Holyoke Public Library and within walking distance of Lawrence Elementary School, the Essex is also near stores, community facilities and employment opportunities and will feature a property management office and resident services. Three units will be accessible for people with physical disabilities, and one will be equipped for people with sensory impairments.
In addition to this most recent state funding, The Essex is supported by the city of Holyoke and MassDevelopment’s Underutilized Properties Program.
“Library Commons already contributes to the renaissance of downtown Holyoke,” said Holyoke Mayor Joshua Garcia. “It provides access to employment, education and entertainment opportunities, as well as to downtown’s burgeoning cultural scene. The Essex will, literally, build on that success.
Both developments are consistent with Enterprise Green Communities and Energy STAR standards, as the work of Way Finders is closely aligned with the state’s drive to lead the nation in green practices, including clean energy standards and efficiencies.
With such a great need out there for affordable housing units, Fairey said support from all three levels of government — state, local and federal — are critical in creating more affordable housing to meet the needs of the public.
“We need state resources and federal resources to make these projects work, that’s critical. It’s a real collaboration and partnership of the whole community,” Fairey said. “It’s about working with the community, the state to bring these projects together. They take longer than they should because the need is so great. This is a great example of the types of projects we can make.”
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