Holyoke, Chicopee receive state housing funds

Date: 9/17/2015

HOLYOKE – Rebuilding the Commonwealth’s housing stock was the message brought to Holyoke on Sept. 15 by Gov. Charles Baker.

Baker and Undersecretary of Housing and Community Development Chrystal Kornegay announced the housing projects that have received state support to develop affordable rental units.

In Western Massachusetts, there were three projects: Lyman Terrace in Holyoke, The Kendall in Chicopee and The E. Henry Twiggs development in Springfield.

Across the state, the total funded projects represent 1,484 total housing units, including 1,119 affordable units. The Baker Administration awarded $29,202,652 in federal and state tax credits, which will generate approximately $182 million in equity to the recommended projects.  In addition, the Administration is awarding $45.8 million in subsidy funds to support these projects.

Making the announcement in Lyman Terrace, Baker explained in part how the funded projects were selected. He said partnerships between local government and the private sector were important as well as the participation of the residents.

“The track record matters a lot to us,” he added. “People here are pulling together and doing the things they need to do.”

Mayor Alex Morse said the state funding for Lyman Terrace “comes after years of effort.” He thanked the tenants for their activism, many of whom attended the announcement.

Mayor Richard Kos said the city of Chicopee is working with the Valley Opportunity Council on the redevelopment of The Kendall building in the downtown.

According to the Executive Department Office of Housing and Economic Development (EOHED), “The Kendall is a single room occupancy property. The building has been deteriorating for some time; the sponsor will use state and city funds to undertake a full rehabilitation.  The completed project will offer 38 enhanced SRO units in a downtown location near services and transit with eight units reserved for households earning less than 30 percent of the area median income.  The Department of Housing and Community Development is supporting the project with federal and state Low Income Housing Tax credits and Housing Innovation funds.”

Kos said, “ We were pleased to work with the Valley Opportunity to insure the success of their application in this round.”

The Valley Opportunity Council will invest nearly $7 million to rehabilitate the property. “They join a contingent of businesses that together with the city are committed to a strong, vibrant, downtown,” Kos added. “We appreciate VOC’s commitment.”

E. Henry Twiggs Phase I is a preservation project located in Springfield’s Bay and Upper Hill neighborhoods.  “When completed, the project will include 75 improved units for families, all of which will be affordable.  Eight units will be reserved for households earning less than 30 percent of the area median income, including households making the transition from homelessness,” according to the EOHED.

 Bart Mitchell, the president of The Community Builders, will be undertaking the redevelopment of Lyman Terrace.

The housing development was built in 1939. The Holyoke Housing Authority had considered demolishing the development, but Morse sought to have it redeveloped.

Mitchell said when completed Lyman Terrace will be the home to 160 families and will be a mix of both rehabilitated and new features. He said there would be two new playgrounds, a community center and green space.

Mitchell added at this point he does not know how much funding will come from the state for the project.

Rachana Crowley, senior development project manager for The Community Builders, said the first phase would renovate 88 units of housing. The goal is to have as many of the tenants be relocated to other apartments within the complex or city while their home is being rehabbed. The first phase should take between 12 to 18 months to complete.

The second phase, which would address 73 units, has not yet been funded, she added.