By Dot Bergin
The town of Bedford is becoming very good at partnering with federal, state, and private entities to preserve affordable housing units.
To celebrate the most recent example of federal-state-town cooperation, Bedford Village Apartments held a reception on May 25, attended by Congressman Seth Moulton, by officials from the MA Department of Housing and Community Development and MassHousing, by State Senator Michael Barrett and Representative Ken Gordon, and by our own Selectmen and town officials. Hosting the event were Aaron Gornstein, President and CEO of POAH (Preservation of Affordable Housing), the new owner of Bedford Village, and Cory Fellows, POAH’s vice present of real estate development.
In his remarks, Cong. Moulton said basic income inequality is a top item on his list of concerns and housing is one of the areas where this is most manifest. “The fact that Bedford is leading the charge in Massachusetts is significant–we don’t talk about housing as a major issue but it’s one of the biggest challenges of the day. We don’t talk about income inequality –because it’s easier to talk about more tangible challenges…. Your commitment to bringing people together, to allowing a diverse set of Americans to live here in this community is something I am very proud of and makes me proud to represent you.”
Most pleased of all were the residents of Bedford Village- some of whom have lived in their apartments for more than 40 years- who are now assured that their rents will remain affordable. Bedford Village provides affordable options to low-income individuals as well as to those earning 80 percent of median area income. Housing of this type is greatly needed in Bedford. As a recent housing survey revealed, rising real estate prices make it virtually impossible for low to moderate income individuals to live in town.
A second, much smaller apartment complex is included in the POAH project. At the 447 Concord Road Apartments, built in 2009, the focus will be on improving energy efficiency with a new photovoltaic solar array to produce electricity. There are 14 townhomes in this complex.
Briefly, the back story of Bedford Village’s “expiring use” is this: The complex, which consists of 96 one-two-and three bedroom households, was built in the 1970s, under a state subsidy program. That program had an expiration date of 2018. When the town learned that the owner wished to sell the property, the wheels were set in motion to find a way to preserve the existing affordable units. As Gornstein mentioned at the reception, the former owner, Irma Schretter, was more than willing to work with town and state agencies and non-profit organizations to locate a buyer who would continue operating the property as affordable housing. Had she decided to sell to a private developer, who most likely would have turned the property into higher-rent units, the future of Bedford Village and the fate of its residents would have been uncertain. Many residents including Lucinda “ Lucy” Courtney – the 40-year resident who was at the Welcome ceremony- might have been forced to look elsewhere for housing.
Enter the Town: in 2016 the Selectmen, with the guidance of the Regional Services Housing Organization, reached out to the owner and to the Department of Housing and Community Development to see what might be done. The Selectmen looked into using Community Preservation Funds as a way to preserve Bedford Village. In July 2017, the Bedford Housing Partnership heard details of POAH’s plan to acquire the property and to make capital improvements, totaling $30 million. At the March 2017 Annual Town Meeting, residents had already voted to commit $3 million of Community Preservation Funds to maintain the long-term affordability of all units. In August 2017 the Selectmen moved to commit the $3 million of CPA funds as appropriated at the 2017 ATM.
Using a combination of Federal Low-income Housing Tax Credits, bonds from MassHousing, and CPA funds, Bedford Village will undergo renovation including new roofs, windows, and select bath and kitchen updates. Work is expected to begin this summer. Improvements to the townhomes at 447 Concord Road will begin in the fall of 2019, with the completion of all work set for December 2019.
POAH (Preservation of Affordable Housing) is a Boston-based non-profit organization whose mission is to preserve, create and sustain affordable, healthy homes that support economic security and access to opportunity for all. More info at www.poah.org.
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