Stakeholders gather to celebrate the groundbreaking and progress of the Essex Village project expected to be completed next winter.
Reminder Publishing photo by Tyler Garnet
HOLYOKE — On Oct. 22, Way Finders hosted a groundbreaking ceremony and site tour at its latest affordable housing development in Holyoke: Essex Village.
The development will create 41 units of affordable rental housing on four different lots close to the Holyoke Public Library and Way Finders’ 38-unit Library Commons affordable development, the latter of which completed in 2021.
The construction process will include the gut rehab of a 19th century vacant historic building across from the library, and the new construction of three townhome-style buildings within a block of each other.
Twenty-three units will be for households with incomes at or below 60% area median income, while 18 units will be reserved for those with incomes at or below 30% area media income.
Other amenities include accessibility to public transportation and walking distance to Lawrence Elementary School.
Way Finders and its funding partners are investing over $28M in this affordable housing effort.
Essex Village brings new housing to several long-vacant lots and preserves and renovates the historic 1888 Essex building. Construction is expected to be completed by winter 2026.
Keith Fairey talked more about the newest developments and the benefit they will have in Holyoke.
He said, “When you fill vacant spaces with housing, you create community and opportunity. In this neighborhood, next to the Holyoke Public Library, Way Finders Library Commons site is already a catalyst for positive change. Our tenants have clean, safe, energy-efficient housing. Our staff offers onsite management and residential programming like digital literacy, job readiness and financial self-sufficiency. Breaking ground at Essex Village brings that positive change to even more neighbors. It is a promise kept: more affordable homes, stronger neighborhoods and a brighter future for Holyoke.”
State Housing Secretary Ed Augustus and Holyoke Mayor Joshusa Garcia also spoke about the importance of the project.
Garcia highlighted how Holyoke is number one in Massachusetts when it comes to the availability of affordable housing stock.
According to Garcia, Holyoke is at 19.34% compared to the statewide average of 9.68%.
“We are committed to helping humans, Garcia said, “We’re also adding to that portfolio trying to balance the economic situation in our downtown not because we want to reduce what we’ve built or leadership before is have built, but also make sure as people’s circumstances improve, that there’s opportunities for them to stay in their city and not feel like they have to leave the city of Holyoke.”
Augustus, who stated he was there on behalf of Gov. Maura Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll, expressed that he wanted to show the state’s commitment and investment to fixing the housing crisis.
He highlighted the Affordable Homes Act, which created $5 billion of available resources to support housing production and preservation in Massachusetts.
Augustus stated, “I just want to make sure folks know how committed the governor, lieutenant governor are to making sure they are a lot more groundbreakings and ribbon cuttings here in Holyoke, across Western Massachusetts and the commonwealth. Keep doing the good work that you are doing, and we’ll be there with you every step of the way.”
