Upcoming Workshops and News from Valley

Progress at Laurel Street

Great progress happening at Laurel Street! Our Real Estate Project Manager, Jessica Allan, and Associate Project Manager, Twonnisha Winbush, were there for the first on-site job meeting. Their commitment to creating affordable housing in our communities is truly inspiring.

MACDC Lobby Day

Valley staff recently joined other CDCs at MACDC's annual Lobby Day. The event was a fantastic opportunity to champion critical initiatives for community development, housing equity, and economic empowerment.?

We got to meet with our elected officials, hear from legislative champions, and engage with CDC leaders making a difference.

Community Investment Tax Credits

The Healey-Driscoll Administration has announced nearly $12 million in Community Investment Tax Credits supporting 54 Community Development Corporations across the state including Valley! These awards are a testament to the vital work carried out by CDCs in fostering equitable communities through affordable housing and small business opportunities.

Advocacy Corner

Highest Priorities for the Western MA Housing Coalition:

The Western Massachusetts Housing Coalition—50+ organizations strong—has together identified a series of legislative priorities for Western Massachusetts that are tailored to address our area’s specific housing challenges.

• Transfer Fee for Affordable Housing: Remove the minimum sales price of $1 million as a threshold for allowing a transfer fee and replace with a mechanism that will make the transfer fee available to all communities!
• CommonWealth Builder: Remove the 10-unit minimum and open the program to a wider range of communities, including economically distressed rural communities.
• Homeownership Tax Credit: Remove the 10-unit minimum and ensure the program is available to a wide range of communities, including economically distressed rural communities, and to nonprofit developers.
• Seasonal Communities: Expand the Seasonal Communities Coordinating Committee to an Office of Rural and Seasonal Communities that will ensure set-asides for these communities are included in the state's Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Qualified Allocation Plan QAP).
• HousingWorks: Expand eligibility to include septic and water projects for HousingWorks Infrastructure funding.
• Eviction record sealing: Allow automatic sealing in certain cases, such as no-fault evictions and judgements in favor of the tenant.
• Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs): Allow ADUs as-of-right in single-family zoning districts

Reach out to your legislators and ask for their support!

Local Affordable Housing Opportunities

The listings below currently are accepting applications – please note these are not owned or operated by Valley and we are unable to answer any questions.

Residences @ Mill 8

State St, Ludlow, MA 01056

Lottery application open for seniors with a deadline of Tues., June 4, 2024. 95 1- and 2-bedroom apartments

Housing Navigator Listing.

Gemini Townhomes

89 Morris St, Springfield, MA 01105

Lottery application open for this affordable homeownership opportunity with a deadline of June 28, 2024. 40 affordable condos for sale.

Gemini Townhomes website.

Michael's House

71 State St, Northampton, MA 01060

Short waistlist applications for seniors and/or folks with a qualifying disability.

Housing Navigator Listing.

Lawyers for Civil Rights Small Business Office Hours

Join LCR for their free weekly office hours for small businesses on Fridays from 11am-12pm. Click this link to join the meeting, no registration required.

Upcoming Workshops

The Ins and Outs of the Home Modification Loan Program (HMLP)

Monday, June 3, from 10am-12pm, hybrid

In this workshop, you will learn about the Home Modification Loan Program application process and program details.

Location: Easthampton Council on Aging and Enrichment (19 Union St. Easthampton, MA 01027)

Or on Zoom (please indicate when registering).

Register here.

June Small Business Fundamentals

Wednesday, June 5, from 12pm-1:15pm on Zoom

This free workshop will focus on business fundamentals. It is designed for people who are planning to start a business and owners of existing businesses who would like a refresher. The workshop will provide a structure for starting and managing your venture.

Register here.

June First-Time Homebuyer Webinar Series

• Monday, June 3
• Tuesday, June 4
• Monday, June 10

All from 6pm-9pm on Zoom.

Get the facts on the homebuying process and learn tips about how to improve your credit. Ask questions to help you proceed and protect your interests as you approach this life decision.

Register here.