City is now eligible for exclusive housing, infrastructure and other grant programs
Today the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced that the City of Springfield has been designated as a Housing Choice Community. This is the seventh year of Housing Choice Community Designations and EOHLC received 3 total applications in 2024: Brewster, Springfield, and Woburn, none of which had been a designated community before.
“The high cost and limited availability of housing are some of the greatest challenges we face as a Commonwealth. EOHLC is proud to administer the Housing Choice Initiative which recognizes and supports communities who have taken action to address these challenges head-on,” said Ed Augustus Secretary of Housing and Livable Communities. “I commend the 3 newly designated cities and towns for their commitment to housing production and look forward to their continued progress as Housing Choice Communities.”
The Housing Choice Initiative provides incentives, rewards, technical assistance, and targeted legislative reform to encourage and empower municipalities to plan and build diverse housing options. Municipalities are deemed Housing Choice Communities after accomplishing 5 percent new housing growth and/or net new 500 units over a 5-year period, or 3 percent new housing growth and/or net new 300 units over a 5-year period with the adoption of certain housing policy best practices.
“This is a huge achievement, and I am very appreciative of this housing designation. As we all know, in our state and our City of Springfield, there is a desperate need for more housing options. This initiative will build upon my administration’s proactive programs to improve and add more quality housing for our Springfield residents,” said Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno.
“Springfield’s designation as a Housing Choice Community affirms the City’s policy position, which views housing development as a driver of economic development. Ensuring that newly developed homes and multi-family housing units address the market’s current inventory gaps and that they are located in areas of the City that capitalize on existing public infrastructure and neighborhood amenities and that they are linked to the City’s wider economic goals and outcomes, is economic development. Integrating housing and economic development improves the opportunity for future housing investment and enhances sustainable growth outcomes for all of the City’s neighborhoods,” said Timothy Sheehan, Chief Development Officer for the City of Springfield.
The total number of new housing that the 3 new Housing Choice Communities produced over the last five years is 2,254 units:
# | Municipality | Net New Units 2019 - 2023 | Designation criteria |
1 | Brewster | 208 | 3% increase & adoption of best practices |
2 | Springfield | 652 | 500+ new units |
3 | Woburn | 1,394 | 5% increase, 500+ new units |
| TOTAL | 2,254 |
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"I am proud of the work that the City of Springfield has done to earn its status as a Housing Choice Community. This program, along with the initiatives included in the Affordable Homes Act that was recently passed by the House of Representatives, will make significant progress towards providing affordable housing options in our community and establish equity standards to promote inclusivity and diversity in housing development,” said state Representative Carols Gonzalez.
“Springfield continues to make housing a priority throughout the city and is well deserving of this designation. Being a Housing Choice Community will allow Springfield to qualify for much needed grant funding and other benefits that will allow the city to continue addressing the housing challenge and in turn, have a positive impact on the city’s economy,” said state Representative Brian Ashe.
“The news of Springfield’s designation as a Housing Choice Community is a substantial move as we continue to find ways to combat the housing crisis in our city. Many of the commercial buildings across the city have the potential to be repurposed to provide viable housing for Springfield residents. I look forward to collaborating with Secretary Ed Augustus and the Healey-Driscoll administration on this timely initiative,” said state Senator Adam Gomez.
"I am thrilled to see Springfield recognized as a Housing Choice Community by the Healey-Driscoll Administration. This designation reflects Springfield's and the Commonwealth's collective efforts to increase housing availability and affordability and address our housing challenges. I look forward to continuing to work together to cultivate an inclusive and affordable Massachusetts for all,” said state Senator Jake Oliveira.
As part of this incentive-based program, municipalities designated as Housing Choice Communities qualify to apply for an exclusive grant program, the Housing Choice Grant Program, and receive additional benefits from various Housing Choice Initiative participating programs offered through various state agencies in the Commonwealth.