Main South CDC in action! Kilby Gardner Hammond Project update

One of the scores of beautiful homes built by the Main  South CDC. This home is part the CDC’s Kilby Gardner revitalization efffort.

editor’s note: The Main South CDC has transformed an entire neighborhood. Read this update to learn more:

The Main South CDC is proud to announce the receipt of $3.96 million of Low Income Housing Tax Credits from the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development for the construction of 22 affordable rental units.
Congressman James P. McGovern visited the Kilby Gardner Hammond (KGH) project site on March 23, 2011, to announce the receipt of these funds which will complete the fourth and final phase of housing development for the Kilby Gardner Hammond Neighborhood Revitalization Project. The Kilby Gardner Hammond Neighborhood Revitalization Project is representative of a community-driven approach to the redevelopment of an inner-city neighborhood. This is an ambitious project that is dependent upon public and private partnerships for its success; its fundamental objectives are based on the “Smart Growth” principles of urban redevelopment. Such a project requires the assistance of federal, state, and local agencies, as well as philanthropic support from foundations and private sources.

It also takes political will, and we are grateful for the efforts of the late Senator Edward Kennedy and Congressman James P. McGovern to obtain the necessary resources to make the project possible. Many people deserve our thanks including the City Administration, Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray, and the City Council for their belief in this project, and their willingness to use the City’s loan guaranty authority to leverage the financing to make this all possible.

The Main South CDC looks forward to the completion of the fourth and final phase, which will encompass the development of 22 affordable and energy-efficient rental units. These rental units will add to the astounding results of the KGH Project thus far. This includes over 90 units of affordable housing for first-time homebuyers and renters, development of a new Boys & Girls Club facility, an athletic track field to be shared by Clark University, the Boys & Girls Club and the community, and finally the provision of quality-oflife enhancements and economic opportunity for neighborhood residents.

Phase IV of the Kilby Gardner Hammond Neighborhood Revitalization Project is designed to include a total of 22 rental units (six 2-bedroom and sixteen 3-bedroom apartments) of high quality, energy efficient, rental housing for the residents of the Main South neighborhood. These units are located on seven scattered sites throughout the KGH target area. This phase of construction includes four different building types and a variety of different unit designs including flats and townhouses. These units will also be fully equipped with energy efficient heating and lighting systems. Four of the 22 units will be handicapped-accessible CBH units. The Main South CDC looks forward to completing this exciting last phase of the KGH Project by the end of October 2012.

KGH Phase I, Phase II, Phase III
First-Time Homebuyer Opportunities

Over the past nine years, the Main South CDC has focused on providing the community with affordable housing opportunities. Phase I was comprised of a total of eight modular duplex-style units, and an additional eight duplex-style units were stick built during Phase II. Phase III-A consisted of five duplexes along Hollis and Kilby streets which received funding for the installment of rooftop solar panels. Phase III-B of the KGH Project consists of 10 townhouse-style condominiums located on Kilby Street. These townhouses are especially attractive to homebuyers who are looking for home-ownership without additional maintenance chores. As these housing units are condominiums, the Main South CDC is responsible for all lawn care, snow removal, and other maintenance to provide an easier transition from apartment living to homeownership.

Through the assistance of federal and city funding, the Main South CDC has been able to offer a variety of homeownership opportunities for low and moderate income families. Currently, the First-Time Homebuyer program is focusing on selling the 10 townhouse-style units of Phase III-B at a sales price of $136,000. For this particular phase, homebuyers will receive $14,999 of direct homebuyer assistance funds from the Massachusetts Housing Investment Corporation (MHIC). Eligible buyers are able to direct these funds towards the sale price, down payment, and closing costs.

These efforts are all part of the broader goal of the KGH project to increase affordable homeownership opportunities. In addition to providing affordable homeownership opportunities, these projects also use local contractors and labor. As of May 2012, six of the condos have been sold, and the Main South CDC expects to complete the sale of the remaining four condos by this summer.

In addition to providing affordable homeownership opportunities, these projects also use local contractors and labor. As of May 2012, six of the condos have been sold, and the Main South CDC expects to complete the sale of the remaining four condos by this summer. In addition to granting the award to the Main South CDC, Congressman McGovern joined us to announce that Clark University has finalized the purchase of the 7.5 acre site adjacent to the Boys & Girls Club of Worcester. This land will be used to construct a community athletic field, including a fullsize track, multipurpose field, and bike path, to be used by Clark University, the Boys & Girls Club, and residents of Main South. The outdoor athletic complex is scheduled to be completed in 2014.