Massachusetts announces housing awards creating about 1,350 homes; Pittsfield projects among recipients

Governor Maura Healy announced state awards in Pittsfield on Wednesday that officials said will support roughly 1,350 homes across Massachusetts, pairing traditional affordable housing subsidies with a new commercial-to-housing conversion tax credit.

"We're here to celebrate our partnership and announce new major investments to create reasonably priced homes for people across Massachusetts, including right here in Pittsfield," Governor Healy said. He described two funding "buckets": a $140,000,000 commitment across 15 projects to produce about 1,000 affordable rental units, and a second pool of tax credits for converting unused commercial space into housing.

Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll emphasized local impacts, saying production helps ensure communities have "the workforce and talent that you need" and provides jobs and economic activity around downtowns. Secretary Augustus, the administration official overseeing housing awards, said the Affordable Housing Development Awards will be funded using a mix of federal and state low-income housing tax credits and subsidies: "$25,700,000 in federal low income housing tax credits, $32,400,000 in state low income housing tax credits, and $81,400,000 in subsidies," she said.

Officials singled out projects in multiple regions. In Pittsfield, the Linden Street Apartments will receive awards to build 47 units, and a separate Park Square commercial conversion supported by the new tax credit is expected to reconfigure a historic bank building into 23 housing units plus street‑level retail and a commercial kitchen. Secretary Augustus described the conversion tax credit as a new tool to unlock development in vacant office and mill space.

Developer Lou Allegroni of the Allegroni companies described the Park Square site as a long-standing vacant asset "with beautiful bones" that the conversion credit and other incentives will help return to active use. Eileen Peltier, chief executive officer of Hearthway, described the Linden Street project and the constellation of local partners — Causeway Development, local builders, predevelopment funders and municipal leaders — required to advance affordable developments.

Officials attributed the awards to tools enacted in the Affordable Homes Act and recent program changes the administration said speed project delivery (for example, shortening state environmental review timelines and expanding ADU rights). Secretary Augustus also highlighted that the HDIP (historic and market‑rate incentive) funding was increased from prior levels and that a one-time supplemental boost was provided to address a backlog.

The administration framed the awards as part of a larger production effort that it says has 100,000 homes "built, permitted or underway" since the start of the administration. Officials said the funding package combines tax credits, subsidies and locally coordinated support (including MassWorks infrastructure grants) to close financing gaps and accelerate construction.

Officials said more rounds of awards are forthcoming and that state teams, including staff named by Secretary Augustus and Kate (Raser/Racer), will continue reviewing applications. Local officials praised the partnerships; the state said projects will move to construction with typical permitting and financing milestones yet to be completed.

The announcement does not record a formal local vote; it is a state funding award announcement and partners will proceed through standard permitting and financing steps.