SPRINGFIELD — Springfield has long had the moniker “The City of Homes.” Way Finders is giving the nickname a new meaning with a vacant home renovation program of the same name.
Way Finders President and CEO Keith Fairey said a home that is “thriving with life” positively impacts the community. Many homes in Springfield are vacant, but Fairey said, “It doesn’t have to be this way.”
The goal of the City of Homes program is to redevelop the vacant, blighted properties in Springfield’s residential neighborhoods. After renovation, the homes will be available for ownership. Those that are multi-family properties, like 24-26 Los Angeles St., will provide the homeowner with rental income and a second family with a place to call home.
Eight units in six neighborhoods — McKnight, Liberty Heights, Old Hill, Upper Hill, Bay, Memorial Square and Six Corners — have been chosen as the first to be renovated through the program.
The first property to be renovated through City of Homes is the two-family building at 24-26 Los Angeles St. The building, one of several duplexes on the street, is boarded up and has broken windows, but in the 1960s, Geoff Wilson lived in the Los Angeles Street property with his mother and grandparents. He recalled that the neighborhood was filled with families. The building has been empty for at least a decade, said Wilson, who now lives in Westfield.
Dennis Duquette, president of the MassMutual Foundation, became involved with City of Homes two years ago, when a feasibility study was conducted. The foundation awarded Way Finders a $2 million grant as seed money for the program. MassHousing is also helping to fund City of Homes through a $1.8 million expenditure.
Referring to the Los Angeles Street property, Duquette said, “We know it’s going to help the city but think about what it will do for the two families.” He added, “We’re going to make the City of Homes the ‘city of first-time homebuyers.’”
State Sen. Adam Gomez (D-Springfield) and state Reps. Carlos Gonzalez (D-Springfield) and Orlando Ramos (D-Springfield) were on hand to mark the occasion, as was Secretary of Housing and Livable Communities Ed Augustus.
Home equity to generational wealth and upward mobility, said Augustus. He said it can be used to send children to college, setting them up to earn more throughout their lives.
Augustus explained that the City of Homes was made possible by the state’s Affordable Homes Act, which included a provision that made it easier for nonprofits, such as Way Finders, to acquire properties in receivership.
“Addressing the housing crisis isn’t partisan,” said Ramos. He pointed out that the crisis is particularly acute in Black and brown communities. Having worked with Way Finders as a legislator and as a landlord, he attested to the staff’s commitment to people in need.
Gonzalez said housing is an essential part of putting people on a better path. “No matter what ills we’re addressing, it starts with a home.” The legislator praised Fein’s insight into issues around housing, former Gov. Charlie Baker for laying the groundwork for the Affordable Homes Act and the leadership of Augustus and Gov. Maura Healey in bringing the law to fruition. Gonzalez said, “It’s not a handout, it’s a hand up.”
City Council President Michael Fenton said the Los Angeles Street project was personal for him. “This is my neighborhood,” he said. He thanked Augustus for what he called a personal investment in the projects. Fenton’s colleague, Councilor Victor Davila said two families represents up to 10 people who will be “off the streets.”
Retired Housing Court judge Dina Fein, who inspired the receivership provision in the Affordable Homes Act that made City of Homes possible, applauded the law for “enshrining” a model of repurposing uninhabited and uninhabitable properties into first-time homeownership opportunities.
