Local News
Historic buildings and former mills are set to become hundreds of new residences in Fall River, Lawrence, Lowell, Pittsfield, Taunton, and Worcester.
The Healey-Driscoll administration on Thursday announced $18.6 million in tax credits to help build 662 new homes across six Massachusetts Gateway Cities, part of the state’s effort to boost housing production and revitalize downtown neighborhoods.
The Housing Development Incentive Program, or HDIP, awards tax credits to developers undertaking housing projects in designated Gateway Cities. This year’s funding will support projects in Fall River, Lawrence, Lowell, Pittsfield, Taunton, and Worcester, many of which involve converting historic buildings and mills into apartments or redeveloping underused properties.
Gov. Maura Healey said the awards are intended to help communities move long-planned housing developments forward as Massachusetts continues to grapple with high housing costs and a statewide shortage of homes.
“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,” Healey said in a statement. “These awards will create 662 new homes, strengthen downtowns, and help make Massachusetts more affordable.”
Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll unveiled the awards at the Durfee Block Apartments in Fall River, one of the six projects receiving funding. The development will receive $1.5 million in tax credits to convert a historic downtown building into 22 rental apartments.
According to state officials, Massachusetts Gateway Cities are mid-sized communities designated for economic development initiatives because of their historic role as regional economic centers and their potential for revitalization.
To qualify as a Gateway City, a municipality must have a population between 35,000 and 250,000, a median household income below the state average, and a smaller share of residents with bachelor’s degrees compared to the statewide average.
According to the administration, the six projects receiving awards are:
- Fall River: $1.5 million to convert the historic Durfee Block into 22 rental apartments.
- Lawrence: $2.5 million to redevelop a former mill building at 216 Canal St. into 99 rental apartments.
- Lowell: $3.2 million to help build 80 rental apartments and commercial space at the Franco American School redevelopment.
- Pittsfield: $4 million to convert a historic office building on North Park Square into 23 apartments, along with retail space and a commercial kitchen.
- Taunton: $3.8 million to replace a former mill with a 390-unit apartment development.
- Worcester: $3.6 million to convert the historic Clark Block into 48 rental apartments, including five affordable units.
The expansion follows a tax relief package Healey signed in 2023 that tripled the program’s annual authorization from $10 million to $30 million and included a one-time $57 million infusion to accelerate housing development in Gateway Cities.
Healey’s administration has awarded HDIP tax credits to 52 projects expected to create more than 3,400 new homes across 16 Massachusetts cities, according to a press release.
Morgan Rousseau is a freelance writer for Boston.com, where she reports on a variety of local and regional news.
Sign up for the Today newsletter
Get everything you need to know to start your day, delivered right to your inbox every morning.
