WORCESTER—The city recently awarded $1.25 million to support the development of 59 affordable homes across Worcester, according to an announcement from the City of Worcester Affordable Housing Trust Fund (AHTF).
The funding, approved by the AHTF Board of Trustees at its Oct. 22 meeting, supports a mix of rental and homeownership projects. The allocation was made possible through Community Preservation Act funds designated by the Community Preservation Committee in June.
Eight projects were selected for awards, including 55 rental units and four first-time homeownership opportunities. Rental developments include Claremont Street Tiny Homes (4 units, $150,000), Colony on Grove (Beech) (12 units, $200,000), Curtis Apartments Phase 2 (36 units, $225,000), 12 Benefit St. (2 units, $200,000), and 36 Fifth Ave. (1 unit, $75,000). Homeownership projects include 104 Armory St. (2 units, $200,000), 33 Ripley St. (1 unit, $125,000), and 26 Claridge Road (1 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 D. Batista said in the announcement. “The Affordable Housing Trust Fund allows us to 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 Affordable Housing Trust Fund was created by ordinance in 2021 to expand and preserve housing options for low- and moderate-income residents. Initially capitalized with $15 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding, the Trust has since committed those dollars to 13 projects citywide, which the city says have leveraged more than $380 million in investment and created 512 affordable units.
Governed by a nine-member Board of Trustees, the trust administers local, state and federal resources under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 44, Section 55C.
