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Sen. Gomez Announces Awards for Housing, Economic, and Community Development

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Daily News

BOSTON — State Sen. Adam Gómez joined the Healey-Driscoll administration to announce $875,000 in Community Investment Tax Credits (CITC) awards to four community development corporations (CDCs) and community service organizations (CSOs) in Springfield: Home City Development ($100,000), Revitalize CDC ($150,000), Way Finders ($375,000), and Wellspring Cooperative ($250,000).

The Affordable Homes Act, signed into law by Gov. Maura Healey last summer, increased the CITC from $12 million to $15 million and created a permanent funding source for the CITC program.

Since its inception in 2012, the CITC program has been an integral source of funding for CDCs and CSOs to support programming that includes affordable housing development and preservation, community planning and economic development initiatives, homeownership assistance, financial education, foreclosure prevention and savings programs, and job training and job creation programs.

“With the Healey-Driscoll administration leading the way on the issues closest to home for Massachusetts residents and the state Legislature operating in lockstep, CDCs and CSOs are positioned to enhance their critical programming,” Gomez said. “In the Hampden district and across the Commonwealth, these community organizations are being stripped of the tools they need to best serve low- and moderate-income families. This expansive funding reflects our state’s common-sense approach to policy solutions.”

The CITC program offers a 50% refundable state tax credit that provides an incentive for donors to contribute funds to CDCs and CSOs. The program enables residents and stakeholders to work with CDCs and partner with nonprofit, public, and private entities to improve economic opportunities for low- and moderate-income households and other residents in urban, rural, and suburban communities across the state. CDCs accomplish this through adoption of community investment plans to undertake community development programs, policies, and activities.

Home City Development Awarded Grants by Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston, bankESB

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Daily News

EASTHAMPTON — The Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston (FHLBank Boston) has recognized bankESB for its ongoing commitment to affordable housing and community development by awarding a $1,000 grant on behalf of the bank to Home City Development Inc. (HCDI) in Springfield. bankESB will match this grant dollar for dollar through its charitable giving program, the Giving Tree, providing a total contribution of $2,000 to support HCDI’s affordable-housing initiatives.

The FHLBank Boston grant, coupled with bankESB’s matching contribution, will help HCDI further its mission of developing and managing affordable housing for low- and moderate-income individuals and families in the Springfield area. The funds will be allocated towards HCDI’s ongoing projects that provide safe, quality housing, helping to address the region’s pressing affordable-housing needs.

“bankESB is honored to receive this recognition from FHLBank Boston, and we are proud to partner with Home City Development to make a positive impact in our community,” said Ryan Kirwin, executive vice president of Residential Lending at Hometown Mortgage, a division of bankESB. “Affordable housing is a critical need in our region, and we are committed to supporting organizations like HCDI that work tirelessly to create opportunities for families and individuals to live in quality housing they can afford.”

The FHLBank Boston Affordable Housing Program provides financial support to member financial institutions that are committed to making a positive impact in their communities. By collaborating with banks like bankESB, FHLBank Boston is able to help expand access to housing and promote community investment.

“This funding will directly support our efforts to provide affordable housing in Springfield, and we are grateful to both bankESB and FHLBank Boston for their commitment to our mission,” said Joesiah Gonzalez, chief Philanthropy and Communication officer at Home City Development. “Together, we can make a significant difference for families and individuals who need access to stable and affordable housing.”

Home City Development to Host Groundbreaking for Gemini Townhomes

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Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Home City Development Inc. (HCDI) will kick off construction of 40 affordable homeownership units on the former Gemini site in the South End of Springfield (76 Morris St.) with a groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday, Oct. 25 at 10:45 a.m. This project is funded in part by MassHousing, the city of Springfield, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, Mass Save, and the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center.

When these units are sold, homeownership will increase in the neighborhood census block by over 1,000%. The project’s clean-energy design features all electric utilities, private enclosed garages, and a community pavilion, and will be marketed to first-time homebuyers earning under 100% of Springfield’s area median income (AMI). Once completed, this project will provide dozens of affordable housing opportunities for people and families with low to moderate income, as well as millions of dollars of contracting opportunities for local and minority owned businesses.

“We are proud to continue building better neighborhoods in the City of Homes with this project, and we are grateful for the help and support of many organizations,” said Thomas Kegelman, executive director of HCDI. “Thank you to Mayor Sarno, the South End Citizens Council, the Massachusetts Black and Latino Caucus, the Office of Planning and Economic Development, MassHousing, and many others involved for making this project possible.”

Home City Development Receives Preservation Award, Hosts Annual Awards Event

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Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — On Nov. 10, Home City Development Inc. (HCDI) received an award from the Springfield Preservation Trust for historic preservation of the Elias Brookings Apartments. HCDI hosted the Springfield Preservation Trust’s annual preservation awards ceremony in the community room at the Elias Brookings Apartments, where a total of 15 individuals and organizations (including HCDI) were recognized. The Springfield Preservation Trust honored the recipients’ hard work, commitment, and dedication to preservation.

Adaptive reuse of the Elias Brookings School was completed in March. This rehabilitation focused on historic restoration, where classrooms were converted into 42 mixed-income apartments and the basketball court was converted into a fully outfitted, 4,000-square-foot community room.

“Restoration and reuse of this historic building ensures that it will continue to serve the city of Springfield and its residents as it has since 1925,” said Peter Serafino, director of Real Estate Development at HCDI. “Elias Brookings Apartments, along with the new Elias Brookings School, the rotary at Six Corners, Ruth Elizabeth Park updates, Educare Springfield, and the Central Street Realignment, together have truly transformed the neighborhood.”

Home City Development Signs Land Disposition Agreement for South End Townhouses

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Home City Development Inc. (HCDI) has signed a land disposition agreement with the city of Springfield to develop up to 40 for-sale residential units on the former Gemini site in the South End of Springfield. This townhouse development will serve low- to moderate-income households earning between 70% and 100% of adjusted median income.

The residential zoning change was approved in October, and Mayor Domenic Sarno signed the land disposition agreement in January. The team is working closely with funders to make sure the project is developed and managed appropriately to serve the community. The HCDI team continues to meet with the South End Citizens Council, receiving valuable input.

“We at Home City are excited by the opportunity to make a significant contribution to the creation of badly needed home-ownership opportunities for working families in our city,” said Thomas Kegelman, executive director of HCDI. “We are grateful for the confidence placed in us by the city to take on this important project. Many thanks to Mayor Sarno and all those who have helped us reach this important milestone.”

HCDI has received a preliminary commitment from MassHousing for the majority of the public financing necessary and has applied to the city of Springfield for the remaining funds. Once these funds are in hand, construction could start as early as the fall of 2022.

Designs are being finalized by Architecture Environment Life of East Longmeadow and Torres Engineering of Wethersfield, Conn.