Preservation Society, in partner with City of Fall River, CDA, purchase house for affordable/workforce housing

In partnership with the administration of Mayor Paul Coogan and Fall River’s Community Development Agency, the Preservation Society of Fall River, Inc., has announced through a press release the purchase of the c. 1887 Francis and Ellen Lockingen House located at 155 Linden Street.

“We’re excited to announce the acquisition of our fourth old home,” Preservation Society President James Soule said. “The Lockingen House will be our second property purchased for affordable/workforce housing in collaboration with Michael Dion of the CDA and support from Mayor Coogan.”

The Preservation Society will rehabilitate the currently vacant, three-unit property into affordable/workforce housing with an emphasis on preserving the building’s historical characteristics and, by extension, the neighborhood around it. As part of the agreement, all units in the property will be rented as affordable/workforce housing for a minimum of 15 years.

In March 2021, the Preservation Society received official designation as a Community Housing Development Organization under the HOME Investment Partnerships Program by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, enabling access to federal funding to create low income/workforce housing in Fall River.

Workforce housing is typically housing that is affordable for those earning between 80% and 120% of area median income, or AMI. Households in workforce housing typically earn too much to qualify for programs under HUD.

The CHDO designation enables the Preservation Society to better serve its mission to protect and preserve Fall River’s historic properties while incorporating the vision of Fall River’s Master Plan and Downtown Urban Renewal Plan, which calls for support of the city’s older and historic homes and properties.

The Lockingen House is the fourth property purchased by the Preservation Society of Fall River in five years. The Preservation Society purchased its first property in 2018, the c. 1833 Dr. Isaac Fiske House – an Underground Railroad Station on Pine Street. It’s currently maintained as a multi-unit property with plans for a future museum. The c. 1845 John Read House on June Street, the Preservation Society’s first CHDO affordable/workforce housing project, was purchased in 2021 and created four housing units. The purchase of the two-unit apartment, c. 1865 William Valentine Carriage House on Purchase Street was in 2022.

Responsible licensed and insured contractors are encouraged to bid on the upcoming Lockingen House project on Linden Street.