ERVING – Rural Development Inc. (RDI) has been awarded $227,553 in predevelopment funding to forward the senior and affordable housing project planned for Care Drive. 

According to a press release from the Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation (CEDAC), $23 million is being awarded as part of its early-stage project financing commitments for 18 projects across Massachusetts. 

“These projects will address a range of affordable housing needs, including permanent supportive housing for formerly homeless individuals, new affordable housing production, and the preservation of existing subsidized housing,” the press release reads. 

For the Erving predevelopment funding, the press release explains that the money will go toward 26 housing units, including 18 new affordable, one bedroom apartments for seniors above the age of 62, and eight new affordable family town homes for multi-generational families with several occupants. The site on Care Drive is approximately four acres. 

Executive Director of RDI Gina Govoni said that the CEDAC funding is the largest amount the project has received thus far from the corporation. 

“There's been a couple of smaller pots of funding that have already been awarded. Initially, there was an initial feasibility assessment grant given to this project by CEDAC,” Govoni said, regarding a $15,000 grant for the project’s basic designs. 

Plans for the development of affordable and senior housing in Erving gained traction in July 2023 when the Selectboard put out an RFP for the Care Drive project. Erving chose RDI’s proposal in December 2023, and the company has created a mock-up of what the project would look like on the Care Drive property. Currently, no affordable exists in Erving, and plans to create affordable hosuing in Erving dates back to a 2002 masterplan for the town. 

Govoni explained that while RDI goes through the permitting process for the project, the town will also have to allocate funding for extending the roadway on the property and update zoning to allow for the housing to be created. The project is estimated to cost around $15 million that Govoni said will be funded through a mix of state and federal funding for low-income housing. 

Govoni added that the housing will be aimed at seniors and families based on area median income (AMI). For this project, the targets will be households that earn 30%, 50% or 60% of the AMI. To illustrate this, Govoni said if the housing were to be open today, an eligible single senior seeking a one-bedroom apartment at Care Drive would have to make at least $25,000 per year, according to the design plans. 

As the project progresses, Govoni said the hope is to offer additional assistance where possible to keep the affordability within range for seniors and families. 

“We're doing everything we can to try to bring in either vouchers or additional subsidies to make sure that they're as affordable as possible,” Govoni said. “But even with that said, they are far below market rents right now, so we're happy to be bringing that affordability into Erving.” 

It’s estimated that residents can start occupying the units between 2028 and 2029. Govoni explained that in the meantime, RDI will work to secure funding while the town creates zoning and handles site preparation, including a new pump station for sewage. 

When asked for comment about the project, Erving Town Administrator Bryan Smith said that although he was unaware of the round of funding, he was “excited” to hear the news.

This plan for affordable housing comes as the Franklin Regional Council of Governments (FRCOG) released its 2024 Regional Housing Plan. The plan states that although Franklin County is the most rural in the state, with housing prices lower compared to other areas, availability is still an issue, with extremely low vacancy rates and higher prices. To alleviate the issues residents face with affordable housing, FRCOG recommends an increase in the development of affordable housing, which can be accomplished with updated zoning in the county. 

As this funding marks the first major development in financing the Care Drive project, Govoni said that the work of the town and its Senior Housing Committee has allowed this project to continue forward. 

“It's such a long process to develop affordable housing,” Govoni said. “But I think it's worth commending the town and the volunteers on the Senior Housing Committee for their dedication to seeing this through.” 

More information on this project can be found at the RDI project page at https://ruraldevelopmentinc.org/development-projects/erving-care-drive-housing/.  A presentation with detailed information and designs is available on the Erving town website at https://www.erving-ma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif4401/f/uploads/erving_senior_housing.pdf. 

 Erin-Leigh Hoffman can be reached at ehoffman@recorder.com or 413-930-4231.