DONATE

Current Projects

Union Block

Union Block is the redevelopment of the historic Union Block building, located at 17 Main St in downtown Taunton, overlooking the town green. This $24M project involves a mixed-use, mixed-income development that will create 38 residential units, including 26 affordable, 4 workforce, and 4 unrestricted units. The building also houses 9 privately-owned businesses with 50 employees on the ground floor, while NOAH owns the upper two floors. These floors, previously in deteriorated condition, underwent significant reconstruction with substantial additional funding from the State to preserve this historic structure, which dates back to the 1860s and is named after the Union army from the Civil War.

The project has received 976 applications for the available units, and occupancy is set to begin in November 2024, with the project slated for completion by the end of December 2024.

This redevelopment represents a key investment in maintaining the history of the town while providing much-needed affordable housing to the community.

PACO/EB Refi:

These portfolios consist of several smaller properties within NOAH, focused on maintaining affordable housing in East Boston.

PACO: This portfolio includes 18 buildings and 53 units scattered across East Boston, with 17 properties originally acquired through the City of Boston's AOP (Acquisition Opportunity Program) and other lenders. The goal was to prevent displacement amid Boston's competitive real estate market by keeping rents affordable. NOAH couldn't secure the necessary $12M for acquisition financing, resulting in a forbearance arrangement with lenders. Despite advancing $1.3M in capital and deferring $850,000 in fees, NOAH remains committed to sustaining this anti-displacement effort.

EB Refi: Comprising 17 buildings and 58 units, EB Refi is financed by Mass Housing Partnership (MHP), which has held permanent mortgages for decades. NOAH is working on refinancing to maintain affordability.

To prevent the sale of PACO properties, the City of Boston has committed additional funds, and the State has agreed to match them, potentially providing housing certificates for low-income renters. MHP has also made an offer to purchase a tax-exempt bond from Mass Development, with the transaction expected to complete by Winter 2025.

Ayer Commons

Ayer Commons is a two-phase affordable housing project located at 65 Fitchburg Rd in Ayer, MA, which will create a total of 106 townhouse-style rental units.

Phase I will include 64 affordable and workforce housing units, while Phase II will feature 42 additional affordable units.
The project received a 40B zoning permit in January 2023, and in October 2022, the Ayer Community Preservation Committee committed funds to support the project.
Construction for Phase I is expected to begin by 2027.

Additionally, the project has secured significant support at both the local and federal levels. The Town Meeting has committed $400,000 in CPA funds, and Senators Markey and Warren have secured a $2 million earmark for the project, which is included in Congress' draft FY '25 budget. The funding will be finalized based on the outcome of the federal elections in the House, Senate, and Presidential races.

More info: https://ayercommons.org/

Aileron

The Aileron is a two-phase project located at 127-159 Condor Street in East Boston.

Aileron Homeownership: Aileron Homeownership is a seven-unit, all-affordable condominium project originally set for completion in 2022. Delays arose due to severe disagreements with the general contractor, resulting in the termination of the contractor and slowed progress. NOAH has served as the construction lender for this project, contributing approximately $2.5M. The City of Boston is in charge of selling the units, which are expected to be sold in Fall 2024.

Aileron Artists Rental: Located next to Aileron Homeownership, Aileron Artists Rental is a proposed 36-unit, all-affordable, artist-themed rental project. Funded by the City and State in 2022, the project has been delayed due to issues with the Homeownership project. NOAH is working with the City to resolve the issues and secure additional funding. Seventeen units will be set aside for City-approved artists, with the ground floor featuring a community room and artist workspaces.

The building will include solar panels and aims to be nearly zero-carbon. This will be the only affordable rental development on Condor Street, responding to the Eagle Hill Civic Association's 2018 request for creative spaces.

Past Projects

Coppersmith Village, East Boston

Coppersmith Village, East Boston:Coppersmith Village, located at 75 Border Street, is a mixed-use development featuring 56 market-rate and affordable rental apartments, 15 for-sale townhomes, and a ground-floor retail/restaurant space.

NOAH acquired the 1.5-acre site in 2013, which was previously a rundown industrial yard with an aluminum shed and aged outbuildings. The project includes 15 ownership units (8 affordable, 7 market-rate), two rental buildings with 28 units each, and a total of 56 rental units.

The buildings were designed to meet “LEED Gold” standards for sustainability. Parking for 36 vehicles is provided under the buildings, and flood-prevention measures have been incorporated.

The development also includes a 3,000-sq-ft retail space available for lease, ideal for a restaurant. The project was funded with significant contributions from both the City and State, totaling $40M, and repaid $1.3M in fees to the City.

Shoe Shop Place, Middleborough

Shoe Shop Place is a historic rehabilitation project transforming the former Leonard Shaw & Dean Shoe Factory in downtown Middleborough into an all-affordable rental community. The building, once used for shoe assembly, was acquired by NOAH in 2016 from a smaller CDC needing a partner to complete the design and financing.

The development includes 25 one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, featuring a blend of preserved industrial elements like large windows and wood columns, alongside modern conveniences.

Located near shopping, entertainment, and the Middleborough/Lakeville Commuter Rail Station, Shoe Shop Place offers a unique living experience in a prime area.NOAH's third-party manager, Peabody Properties, oversees the project.

The town granted a friendly 40B designation to enable multi-family use.

https://www.shoeshopplace.com/gallery

Stevens Corner, North Andover

NOAH received State financing for this affordable housing rehabilitation project. An abandoned nursing home was converted into 42 affordable apartments for families and was finished in June, 2012.The project is LEED certified at the Silver level.

Border-Falcon Condominiums, East Boston

This affordable 14-unit complex in East Boston overlooks the working harbor and boasts a rain garden, balconies and underground parking.

Sitkowski School, Webster

Sitkowski School is being transformed into 66 affordable apartments for seniors aged 55 and over. Located in downtown Webster, the historic building, vacant since 2005, is being redeveloped by NOAH as part of a larger revitalization effort. The 66 units will include 59 one-bedroom and 7 two-bedroom apartments, all remaining affordable permanently.

The former gymnasium will be repurposed as Webster’s new Community Senior Center. The $20 million project will create over 100 jobs, providing much-needed housing for local seniors.

Former Mass Housing Executive Director Thomas R. Gleason praised the project’s long-term value for both seniors and the town. NOAH Executive Director Phil Giffee underscored NOAH’s commitment to supporting downtown revitalization and providing quality housing for seniors.

Benfield Farms, Carlisle

Benfield Farms, Carlisle: Benfield Farms is a 26-unit, affordable housing development designed to blend classic Carlisle architectural styles with modern amenities. The building, designed by DiMella Shaffer Architects, includes a 3-story main house connected to a 2-story barn. The 28,160 square-foot development features 17 one-bedroom and 9 two-bedroom units for seniors over 62.

The units are built to LEED GOLD for Homes standards, incorporating universal design principles like large doorways, step-in showers, and energy-efficient features. At the town’s request, a large community space was included for socializing and programs from the Council on Aging, alongside library and exercise rooms.

Located on 45 acres of scenic farmland, Benfield Farms is a collaboration between the Carlisle Housing Authority and NOAH. The town purchased the land in 2004, using $2M of its CPA funds. NOAH was selected as the developer in 2008 after a competitive bidding process. Despite challenges like needing its own water supply and utilities, the project was completed with the help of a dedicated design team. NOAH continues to manage the property

Cutler Heights, Holliston

Completed in June of 2011, this affordable project created 30 new rental homes for families. The State funded this development using TCAP monies. NOAH partnered with JNJUHL Associates and the Holliston Housing Development Corporation on this Town-supported building.

Meridian Condominiums, East Boston

Five modern affordable condominium units were created at a convenient location on Meridian Street in East Boston.

143 Border Street, East Boston, MA 02128

info@noahcdc.org

Tel: +1 (617) 567.5882

Location

Get in touch

The Neighborhood of Affordable Housing (NOAH) is now in its thirty-fifth year as an award-winning multi-service non-profit community development corporation (CDC).