WORCESTER—The Worcester Affordable Housing Trust Fund has awarded $1.25 million to support the development of 59 affordable homes across the city, including both rental units and first-time homeownership opportunities.
The funding was approved at the Trust’s Oct. 22 meeting and marks a new round of investment aimed at increasing access to stable, affordable housing in Worcester, according to an announcement from the city. The awards are being supported with Community Preservation Act dollars allocated earlier this year.
In total, eight projects were selected. Five create 55 affordable rental units and three build four homes for first-time buyers.
The rental developments include:
• Claremont Street Tiny Homes, four units ($150,000)
• Colony on Grove (Beech), 12 units ($200,000)
• Curtis Apartments Phase 2, 36 units ($225,000)
• 12 Benefit St., two units ($200,000)
• 36 Fifth Ave., one unit ($75,000)
Homeownership projects funded are:
• 104 Armory St., one unit ($200,000)
• 33 Ripley St., one unit ($125,000)
• 26 Claridge Rd., one unit ($75,000)
“These projects represent a diverse mix of housing types and locations, from single-family homes to multi-unit developments,” City Manager Eric Batista said in the release. He added that the Affordable Housing Trust Fund helps the city “leverage local and federal resources to make tangible progress toward ensuring that residents of all incomes have access to safe, stable, and affordable homes.”
The Trust was created by ordinance in 2021 to preserve and expand affordable housing options for residents with low and moderate incomes. It was initially funded with $15 million in American Rescue Plan Act money. To date, those funds have been committed to 13 projects that have leveraged more than $380 million in total investment and are expected to produce 512 affordable units citywide.
A nine-member Board of Trustees oversees the Trust, managing its funds and assets in accordance with state law.
More information about the Trust and its projects is available on the city’s website.
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