Published: 12/11/2022 3:38:23 PM
Modified: 12/11/2022 3:37:51 PM
PELHAM — A $12 million, 34-unit affordable housing complex that will be the first rental housing development in Pelham is in line to receive both federal and state low-income housing tax credits and American Rescue Plan Act money.
The Baker-Polito administration announced Friday that Amethyst Brook Apartments, a project being undertaken by the nonprofit Home City Development Inc. of Springfield, will be supported by the state’s Department of Housing and Community Development. The Pelham project is among $93.4 million in direct funding, and $33 million in tax credits, that will go toward 790 housing units in 14 cities and towns across the state.
To be located on 8 acres at 20-22 Amherst Road, the affordable housing is the only one in this round of funding in the Pioneer Valley, with other projects in western Massachusetts receiving state backing in Pittsfield and Williamstown.
When complete, Amethyst Brook Apartments, which received a comprehensive permit under the state’s Chapter 40B law from the town’s Zoning Board of Appeals in August 2021, will have homes affordable to households earning less than 60% of the area median income, with 11 units further restricted for households earning less than 30% of area median income, some of whom may be for people transitioning from homelessness.
Peter Serafino, director of real estate development for Home City Development, said construction could begin next spring, with the project to be completed in 14 months. More details will be available this week.
The apartments will be inside two buildings on a property that is in proximity to both the Pelham Elementary School and the Pelham Library, and a mile or from the Amherst town line A farmhouse, a former factory building and other outbuildings will make way for the new apartments. In early 2020, the project received $200,000 in predevelopment financing from the Community Economic Development Assistance Corp.
Gov. Charlie Baker, speaking at an announcement of the funding in Haverhill, said his administration has prioritized creating adequate housing.
“We have been proud to make record investments to build and preserve tens of thousands of housing units as well as champion zoning reforms in partnership with local leaders to better position cities and towns to advance housing in their communities,” Baker said.
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.