HOLYOKE — On Nov. 5, the Holyoke Housing Authority and other stakeholders gathered to officially open the new South Holyoke Homes apartment units.
The ribbon cutting event consisted of a brief speaking program, a tour of the homes, plus cookies and refreshments.
After decades of community advocacy to bring affordable homeownership to South Holyoke, the South Holyoke Homes Phase 2 project is complete.
The new complex includes 20 units of affordable homeownership on vacant municipal lots that are ready for occupancy for income-eligible first-time homebuyers.
Of the 20 new homes for sale, 16 are restricted to first-time buyers earning up to 80 percent of AMI and four will be for buyers earning up to 100% of AMI.
MassHousing provided $7.2 million in financing to Holyoke Housing for this phase. The agency also supported the first phase, which brought 22 new rental homes to the neighborhood.
Holyoke Housing Authority Development Director Sarah Meier-Zimbler talked with Reminder Publishing about the project.
She said that South Holyoke Homes is an affordable homeownership project centered around Carlos Vega Park in South Holyoke.
The three-story duplex homes consist of three- and four-bedroom units with low-cost utilities, brand new appliances, a private backyard and off-street parking.
With many communities and municipalities urging for more housing due to a shortage across the state, Meier-Zimbler talked about why this project can help combat that issue and create housing in South Holyoke.
“South Holyoke Homes is the culmination of decades of community advocacy to build housing on vacant municipal lots.” Meier-Zimbler said. “Affordable homeownership opportunities are especially important for a neighborhood like South Holyoke, [which] has an extremely low rate of homeownership. Affordable homeownership allows families to invest in their neighborhood and creates opportunities to build generational wealth.”
For more information about the units, readers can find an online application at southholyokehomes.org.
Interested buyers are also encouraged to attend the next open house on Nov. 22 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at 205 Clemente St.
The Holyoke Housing Authority can help anyone who might be interested in learning more about buying a home. Staff members will be available to answer questions, guide people through the process and make the homebuying process more manageable.
