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Date: 8/17/2022
CHICOPEE – The former Belcher Elementary School space at 10 Southwick St. continues to remain vacant after the school moved to its modern 125 Montgomery St. home. The century-old building is set to be renovated as an affordable housing project from Valley Opportunity Council (VOC) after receiving additional funding from a Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito housing initiative.
The Baker-Polito announcement delivers $50 million in direct funding and $89 million in state and federal housing tax credits across 26 projects. Among the 1,326 units featured in these properties, 384 are reserved for low-income residents across 16 of the projects, according to Baker press release.
Reflecting on the announcement, Baker highlighted the importance of supporting housing initiatives during a time of housing scarcity and rising inflation costs.
“As we combat the housing crisis, we will continue to champion production of affordable rental, homeownership, transit-oriented housing and market-rate housing units in every corner of the commonwealth so that across Massachusetts, more residents can access housing they can afford,” said Baker in his press release.
In Chicopee, VOC originally purchased the Southwick Street property in November 2019 after existing as a surplus city property since 2016. The project received zone change approvals from the City Council in 2020, with VOC now planning to revitalize the space into 25 housing units.
Among the 25 housing units, 22 of will be reserved for individuals and families earning less than 60 percent of the city’s area median income. Additionally, seven of the reserved units will feature additional consideration for households earning 30 percent of the city’s area median income, which can also include individuals transitioning out of homelessness.
The state announcement revealed that the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development will support the project with federal low-income housing tax credits. The city of Chicopee will also provide funds to support the project’s development.
Planning Director Lee Pouliot stressed the importance of providing another affordable housing source as properties across the state and nation remain infrequently available.
“Housing is a critical need across the commonwealth and the country. There simply isn’t enough. These surplus school buildings make for really great opportunities to create some housing density,” said Pouliot in an interview with Reminder Publishing.
Pouliot also expressed excitement for how the VOC project will revitalize a once-dormant property.
“This project preserves a historic property, gives it a new life, and in doing so, also breathes new life into the neighborhood after sitting vacant for so long,” said Pouliot.
Readers interested in learning more about the Baker-Polito announcement can visit https://www.mass.gov/news/baker-polito-administration-announces-nearly-50-million-to-advance-1474-housing-units-in-16-communities.