Commonwealth Awards Affordable Housing Grant To Rehab Framingham Apartments

FRAMINGHAM, MA - The Baker-Polito Administration announced more than $21 million in affordable housing awards, on Friday,March 11.

The grant recipients were announced by Lt. Governor Karyn Polito and Massachusetts Undersecretary Chrystal Kornegay at Tribune Apartments in downtown Framingham.

“Providing stable housing and supportive services to homeless and at-risk families helps to break the cycle of poverty and homelessness. (The) awards will help ensure that the complex needs of homeless individuals and families are adequately met, putting recipients on the path to self-sufficiency and independence," said Gov. Baker, in a statement.

“Addressing the tragedy of homelessness requires understanding and addressing the underlying needs of vulnerable populations. Connecting individuals and families to the education, skills training, and childcare they need will support their long-term stability, improve their economic prospects, and will make the Commonwealth stronger,” said Lt. Gov. Polito.

Among the grant recipients were the Preservation of Affordable Housing, Inc., which owns Tribune Apartments in Framingham.

Tribune Apartments is an existing, historic, 53-unit building for the elderly in downtown Framingham.

Built in 1910, the buildings were once the home to the Framingham Tribune newspaper.

In 1982, the building was converted to housing for seniors and individuals with disabilities.

The building is in need of significant rehabilitation, including roof replacement and accessibility upgrades, to allow residents to age in place.

The latest state grant, worth about $3.5 million, was awarded to The Preservation of Affordable Housing Inc, a nonprofit developer.

The state money also may be used to help residents via meal delivery, transportation and health aides.

Friday's award ceremony marked the achievement of a long-pursued goal of successfully leveraging multiple funding sources in order to accomplish a major renovation.

The ceremony was emceed by The Preservation of Affordable Housing's President and CEO Aaron Gornstein. Besides Lt. Gov. Polito, State Senator Karen Spilka, Mass Department of Housing and Community Development's Undersecretary Chrystal Kornegay and Framingham Town Manager Robert Halpin also spoke.

Located in downtown Framingham about a block from the Memorial Building, Tribune Apartments is an affordable rental housing for elderly, handicapped, and disabled households. Amenities included in the 53-unit development include two community rooms, recently renovated common areas, and 9-foot ceilings in the living spaces of the apartments.

The Preservation of Affordable Housing purchased the Tribune Apartments in the fall of 2013 for $7.8 million. The acquisition was made possible by a $5.3 million loan from the Massachusetts Housing Investment Corp. and a $2.75 million loan from Community Economic Development Assistance Corp.

Immediately, the Preservation began planning a facility renovation.

Since 2014, The Preservation of Affordable Housing has worked closely with the Town of Framingham Community Development Department to advance their renovation plans.

The Baker-Polito administration also awarded 91 vouchers for homeless and very low income households to move into long-term housing via the state's rental voucher program.

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Photos By Nichol Figueiredo, Town of Framingham Public Information Officer

Photo of Apartment courtesy of Tribune Apartments