Massachusetts Healey-Driscoll Administration announces $18.6 million to create 662 new homes for projects in Fall River, Lawrence, Lowell, Pittsfield, Taunton, Worcester

FALL RIVER — The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced $18.6 million in Housing Development Incentive Program tax credit awards to support six housing developments that will create 662 new homes across in six Gateway Cities in Massachusetts. The awards will help transform historic and underutilized properties, strengthen downtowns and expand housing opportunities in Fall River, Lawrence, Lowell, Pittsfield, Taunton and Worcester. 

Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll announced the awards at Durfee Block Apartments, one of six projects receiving HDIP funding. The project will receive $1.5 million in tax credits to support the adaptive reuse of a historic downtown building in rental homes, highlighting how HDIP helps communities revitalize existing buildings while creating much-needed housing.

“Every community has different housing needs, and we need to give cities the tools that work best for them to build more homes and lower costs,” said Governor Maura Healey. “When we expanded HDIP, we did it because we knew Gateway Cities had strong projects ready to move forward and needed a partner to help get them across the finish line. These awards will create 662 new homes, strengthen downtowns and help make Massachusetts more affordable.” 

“Gateway Cities are critical to Massachusetts’ housing future, and they know better than anyone what their communities need to grow,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “These investments build on strong local partnerships to create more homes, lower costs, revitalize downtowns and ensure these communities continue to thrive for generations to come.” 

“HDIP helps close financing gaps on projects that can be difficult to build but have enormous impact for Gateway Cities,” said Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Juana Matias. “These six awards will support historic rehabilitation, downtown reinvestment and hundreds of new rental homes in communities that are stepping up to produce more housing.” 

“The Housing Development Incentive Program is a tremendous catalyst for additional housing in the City of Fall River,” said Fall River Mayor Paul Coogan. “As the need for housing continues to grow, this program helps create valuable housing assets that strengthen our community.” 

“Knowing that we are in the midst of a housing shortage and Bay Staters are facing high costs of living, our intention with the Housing Development Incentive Program (HDIP) was to offer developers tax credits that will stimulate production and boost our housing supply across the Commonwealth,” said Senator Michael Rodrigues. “Fall River is a city home to countless historic buildings and infrastructure that is conducive to adaptive reuse. I am incredibly happy to see the diligent work of Monte Ferris Jr., who has taken advantage of this great program to repurpose another historic building and create rental housing units at a time when it is needed most. Thank you to the Healey-Driscoll Administration and Secretary Matias for their tireless efforts to boost housing production and for their continued support.” 

“I congratulate Monte Ferris on this exciting housing project. The development at the Durfee Apartments and the funding that supports it will help to bring more living space to the area, stabilize costs, and revitalize the neighborhood,” said Representative Carole Fiola. “HDIP is a vital tool. Economic development and lowering housing costs in the city of Fall River is a priority, and I am excited for the future of this project. Thank you to Governor Healey and Lt Governor Driscoll for understanding the importance of Gateway City investment like today’s announcement.” 

“I’m pleased to see the revitalization of the city of Fall River and appreciate the efforts by the Healey-Driscoll Administration, along with Mayor Coogan and his team to push this project forward as housing is desperately needed! Kudos to Mr Ferris for taking on this project,” said Representative Steve Ouellette.  

Since Jan. 1, 2023, the Healey-Driscoll Administration has awarded HDIP tax credits to 52 projects supporting 3,404 new homes in 16 cities. The expanded reach of HDIP follows the tax relief package Governor Healey signed in October 2023, which increased the annual HDIP authorization from $10 million to $30 million and provided a one-time $57 million increase to help advance housing production in Gateway Cities. 

The awards include: 

• Durfee Block Apartments, Fall River: $1.5 million to Monte Ferris Jr. to redevelop 80-84 North Main Street, a 19,400-square-foot commercial building in downtown Fall River, into 22 1-bedroom units of market-rate housing. The building was built in 1887, and the total project is estimated to cost $8.4 million.
• 216 Canal Street, Lawrence: $2.5 million to 216 Canal LLC to support the adaptive reuse of a mill building in Lawrence’s canal district into 99 rental homes.  
• Franco American School Phase III, Lowell: $3.2 million to TMI Property Management to support new construction of 80 rental homes and commercial space.  
• 24-34 North Park Square Residences, Pittsfield: $4 million to Allegrone Companies to support the adaptive reuse of a historic office building in Pittsfield’s Park Square into 23 rental homes, with street-level retail and a commercial kitchen.  
• Whittenton Mill Apartments, Taunton: $3.8 million to Greystar to support the demolition of a former mill and new construction of 390 rental homes.  
• Clark Block Rehabilitation, Worcester: $3.6 million to Menkiti Group to support the adaptive reuse of a historic building in downtown Worcester into 48 rental homes, including five affordable homes.  

HDIP, administered by the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, creates housing in Gateway Cities by providing tax credits to advance market-rate rental and homeownership projects that strengthen downtowns, reuse vacant or underutilized buildings and help communities expand their housing supply.  The program helps close financing gaps and make transformative housing developments financially feasible in areas where construction can be more challenging. 

The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities was created in 2023 to create more homes and lower housing costs for Massachusetts residents. Since taking office, the Healey-Driscoll Administration has advanced a comprehensive housing strategy that includes the Affordable Homes Act, statewide accessory dwelling unit reforms, MBTA Communities implementation, Seasonal Communities designation, the Momentum Fund, the Commercial Conversion Tax Credit and expanded Housing Development Incentive Program awards to support new housing production across Massachusetts.