HOUSING PROJECTS

Worcester Common Ground uses a stakeholder input model to determine projects of priority in the neighborhoods where we work. While our core focus is on promoting resident homeownership as the most effective means of neighborhood stabilization, we look to residents, lenders and funders to advise us in the pre-development stage such that the most appropriate mix of housing options can be created relative to community needs. Our property pipeline development is ongoing and we are actively acquiring lots and buildings at this time.

AFFORDABLE RENTAL PROJECTS

WCG has developed 174 rental units of affordable housing. We currently self-manage 77 of those. Maloney Properties, our contracted management company, oversees the remaining 97 units. Our self-managed units consist of a mix of three deckers, masonry buildings, and other styles of buildings, ranging in unit counts of three to twelve. Among those, units vary between one to four bedrooms. In addition to residential spaces, WCG has also incorporated commercial spaces into our developments. Four of our residential buildings include ground-floor commercial spaces: 5 Piedmont, Monarca Insurance at 133 Chandler, Eddie’s Plaza at 300 Pleasant, and our long time tenant Horizon Acupuncture. Our properties managed by Maloney Properties include a 46-unit housing project that includes one to three bedroom apartments at 9 May, and a 31-unit housing project that includes a combination of two, three, and four bedroom apartments at 126 Chandler along with a street-level commercial space (Horizon Acupuncture) and rooftop greenhouse. Both projects are home to large, common community spaces. The remaining properties, known collectively as Austin Corridor II, include an end unit of a four-building brick row house, three deckers, a Greek revival home, and more styles of buildings, with some units being fully accessible.

FIRST TIME HOME BUYER PROJECTS

WCG has created 29 affordable first-time homeownership opportunities, with styles ranging from single family-homes, duplexes, to three deckers. In some cases, our three decker homeownership sales provide an opportunity for first-home owners to simultaneously become landlords and build equity in their homes. WCG supports first-time buyers in their transition to ownership through credit assistance, budgeting, and with connections to banks and other resources that understand the process of affordable first-time ownership. WCG first-time homeownership properties are governed by a ground lease and Community Land Trust that ensures the affordability of our properties in perpetuity.