Massachusetts awards $27 million in HDIP tax credits to 14 projects, including two in Lowell

Governor Maura Healey announced that the Commonwealth is awarding $27,000,000 in Housing Development Incentive Program (HDIP) tax credits to 14 development projects across Massachusetts, a move state leaders said will unlock more than 550 new homes for communities including Lowell.

The awards, Gov. Maura Healey said, are part of a broader push to address statewide housing affordability and to give gateway cities new tools for downtown revitalization. "Today, we're announcing $27,000,000 in tax credits for 14 developments statewide," Healey said, adding that the investment will create "over 550 new homes" across the Commonwealth.

Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, who introduced the program at the Lowell ceremony, described HDIP as a tax-credit incentive intended to spur mixed-income housing and public‑private partnerships in gateway cities. "These are tax credits designed to unlock potential, particularly in our gateway cities," Driscoll said, calling the awards "game changing opportunities for downtowns." Secretary of Housing and Livable Communities Ed Augustus summarized the slate of award recipients and invited project teams forward for recognition.

Local officials framed the awards as an immediate benefit to Lowell. Mayor Dan Rourke welcomed the guests and said the announcement reflects commitments to increase affordable and accessible housing. City Manager Tom Golden thanked state leaders and said the awards will bring 76 units to Lowell, calling the funding "a product of teamwork" between state and local partners.

Projects named for awards at the event included Linnell Landing (Barnstable), Ringside Residences (Brockton), Sacred Heart Lofts and Union Belt Company Lofts (Fall River), Franklin Block (Haverhill), Wright's Block (Holyoke), JAV (Lawrence), the Hildreth Building and Isabel Lofts (Lowell), Wright Building (Pittsfield), 5 Broad Street (Salem), Parsons Apartments (Springfield) and Chestnut Place (Worcester). Officials said award recipients will be photographed with state leaders at the ceremony.

The governor and other officials credited recent legislative work for expanding housing tools that enable more projects to move forward and referenced the Affordable Homes Act as a pending piece of legislation that could add further support. The administration encouraged continued collaboration among municipal leaders, developers and community stakeholders to translate the tax credits into completed housing units.

The announcement was an executive awards event; no formal legislative vote was recorded at the ceremony. Officials invited recipients to the stage for photographs and brief remarks, and the event concluded with congratulatory remarks and a photo opportunity.