Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Affordable Housing topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Valley CDC seeks $600,000 in local CPA funds for 30-unit downtown Northampton housing project; Partnership pledges support
Summary
Valley CDC asked the Northampton Housing Partnership to support a $600,000 Community Preservation Act request to leverage state funding for a 30-unit passive‑house, primarily extremely low‑income project at 27 Crafts Ave; the Partnership voted to back the request and promised letters of support.
Valley Community Development Corporation asked the Northampton Housing Partnership on Tuesday to support a $600,000 Community Preservation Act (CPA) request to help finance a 30‑unit affordable housing development at 27 Crafts Ave, a downtown parcel formerly owned by the city.
"Out of the 30 apartments we are proposing on the site, 20 would be at what they call extremely low income at 30% AMI with the homeless preference," said a Valley CDC presenter, describing the project as a response to longstanding homelessness and climate‑related displacement of encampments. The presenter said the proposal meets passive‑house standards and will not use fossil fuels.
The project team said the site was awarded through a 2022 competitive RFP and closed in 2023, and that they now hold site control, have zoning approval and "90% construction‑ready plans." Valley CDC requested $600,000 in CPA funds and said it had already secured $200,000 in earlier local support, which it used to leverage additional state awards and a Federal Home Loan Bank application. The presenter said the requested CPA contribution represents roughly 3% of the project development budget and is intended to strengthen competitive state funding applications in the February–March 2026 round.
Partnership members pressed the team on resident services and rent subsidies. The presenter said the 20 extremely low‑income units would rely on state vouchers (MRVP and other state programs) and that the project currently anticipates about 16 vouchers—leaving a shortfall of roughly four. "We will be trying to approach the Northampton Housing Authority about some of the vouchers for the project or consider VASH vouchers as well," the presenter said, adding that Valley CDC plans to budget for on‑site supportive services including a 0.5 full‑time‑equivalent resident service coordinator and additional clinical capacity via memoranda of understanding.
Member Richard Abusa urged the Partnership to support the CPA request and moved that the Partnership write a letter endorsing the $600,000 ask. The Partnership seconded the motion and recorded an affirmative roll‑call vote; members present agreed to prepare a letter or other advocacy to the Community Preservation Committee.
Valley CDC told the Partnership it hopes to begin construction in early 2027, contingent on funding, and to move residents in by 2028. The presenter emphasized the project's downtown location, proximity to transit and businesses, preservation of a city liability retaining wall by incorporating it into the building foundation, and five fully accessible apartments among the proposed units.
The Partnership did not set policy conditions in the meeting beyond the advocacy motion; staff and the presenter said Valley CDC will return for a deeper briefing at the upcoming CPA presentation and that they will continue permitting, planning and fundraising work before construction.
The Partnership vote to support the CPA request followed public discussion and questions about vouchers, resident services and parking impacts.
