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Council accepts $500,000 state Housing Choice grant for Brightwood senior housing predevelopment
Summary
The Springfield City Council accepted a $500,000 Housing Choice competitive grant from the Commonwealth to fund predevelopment work for a proposed 55-unit affordable senior housing project at the former Brightwood Elementary site; the grant recipient is New North Citizens Council with MPC Development as partner, and Councilor Maria Perez recused.
The Springfield City Council on Jan. 6, 2025 voted to accept a $500,000 Housing Choice grant from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to support predevelopment work for a proposed affordable housing project at the former Brightwood Elementary School site.
Jerry Preston of the Housing Department told the council the competitive grant will fund architectural and engineering predevelopment work for a project intended to create 55 units of affordable housing "primarily for seniors." Preston said the grant was awarded to New North Citizens Council as the applicant, working with development partner MPC Development. The grant requires no local match.
Councilors asked brief questions about the award and the project scope. Councilor Brown said he has followed the project and described the need for housing in the area. Councilor Whitfield confirmed the application was written in conjunction with New North Citizens Council.
The clerk conducted a roll-call vote to accept the grant. Councilor Maria Perez recused herself; other councilors voted "yes" and the grant acceptance was approved.
The money is intended for predevelopment activities only; no construction contract was approved at the meeting. Council staff indicated next steps will include advancing architectural and engineering work to ready the site for later development approvals and funding steps.
