On November 17, the Newton Affordable Housing Trust voted to fund two projects, seeking to advance its mandate of increasing Newton’s supply of affordable housing. These actions represent the very first housing fundings by the Trust since its inception in December 2021.
The Trust awarded $500,000 to Family Aid, which is currently converting a former nursing home at 815 Washington Street into forty-two units of transitional housing (see Fig City News article). This project, called the West Newton Family Negotiation Center, is focused on homeless families. This award is scheduled to cover 4% of the total development costs of $11.4 million.
The second award, for $1,500,000, was made to 2Life Communities for the Coleman House on Winchester Street. Coleman House is a senior housing preservation project that involves the renovation of 144 affordable senior housing units. This award, combined with earlier funding provided by the City of Newton, accounts for 24% of the project’s total development costs of $32.9 million.
When asked about the Trust’s initial fundings, Chair Ann Houston expressed excitement that “the two projects created new housing and preserved housing that’s been an important resource for many years, while serving low income people.”
Funding for the Newton Affordable Housing Trust comes primarily from the City’s Community Preservation Act Funds. The Community Preservation Committee has targeted 35% of its annual funding for affordable housing projects. On Monday, November 20, the City Council approved $1,967,119 in 2024 funding for the Newton Affordable Housing Trust.
Ed Note: Tamirirashe Gambiza is on the board of directors of Fig City News and is a member of the Newton Affordable Housing Trust, appointed by the Mayor.
