Three Central Massachusetts nonprofits working to redevelop blighted parcels into rental or homeownership properties are among 10 organizations across the state to benefit from $6.9 million in state funding.
The South Middlesex Opportunity Council in Framingham, Habitat for Humanity MetroWest in Worcester, and Worcester Common Ground are receiving funds from the Neighborhood Stabilization Program, a $50-million capital grant program administered by MassHousing seeking to turn blighted or abandoned residential properties into livable homes.
“Neighborhood Stabilization grants underscore the power of housing to transform people’s lives and build up our communities,” Ed Augustus, secretary of the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities and former Worcester city manager, said in a Wednesday press release announcing the grants. “Each one of these grants will bring pride back to neighborhoods by reviving properties and providing much-needed housing to individuals and families across our state.”
South Middlesex Opportunity Council received funds to redevelop 12 Coburn St., a currently inhabitable two-family residence. SMOC will use the funds to restore the residence and add heating and safety features, with the intent of making the property available to rent for lower-income families.
Worcester Common Ground will utilize the funds to redevelop a vacant lot located at 116 Piedmont St. in Worcester into a three-unit residential building. When completed, the property will be made available to three moderate-income, first-time homebuyers, with an accessible two-bedroom unit on the first floor and two, three-bedroom units above.
Habitat for Humanity MetroWest will use its grant to construct a single-family home at 13 Hawley St. in Worcester on a lot currently owned by the City of Worcester.
Overall, this $6.9-million pool of funds will be used to redevelop or rehabilitate 37 homes across the state.
