Jefferson Park Federal Revitalization and Expansion Update 10/04/24

Cambridge Housing Authority Celebrates Jefferson Park Revitalization

The Cambridge Housing Authority (CHA), along with its partners, employees, and residents, gathered on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, to celebrate the groundbreaking of the Revitalization of Jefferson Park Federal. This project marks a significant redevelopment milestone for a 278-unit, deeply affordable, housing community for families in North Cambridge.

The redevelopment of Jefferson Park is being completed in two phases. Phase 1, consisting of 195 units, closed on $170 million in financing in July 2024, and Phase 2, consisting of 83 units, is anticipated to close on financing next year. 

The CHA has funded this new development through the unique partnership among federal, state, and local governments. Federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits and public housing operating subsidy form the underpinning of the project’s overall financing. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is also providing over $7 million of soft loans—in addition to state low-income housing tax credits—through the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities. MassHousing is providing $85 million in tax-exempt private activity bonds for Phase 1, along with permanent financing and bridge financing. The City of Cambridge, through its Affordable Housing Trust, is contributing an additional $43 million over the project’s two phases.

The combination of these public resources, private partnerships with The Richman Group, TD Bank, and Santander for tax credit equity and construction financing, and the cooperation of all levels of government, is allowing the CHA to develop some of the first new public housing units in Cambridge since 1997. This project was the second to be approved under the City of Cambridge’s Affordable Housing Overlay zoning.

The Revitalization of Jefferson Park is the culmination of an over eight-year effort to redevelop and revitalize the living community for a 1950’s era public housing development in very poor condition. The original buildings had substantial problems with water infiltration from ground water, as well as a failing sewer system which was causing mildew and poor air quality in many apartments. Additional issues with the masonry of the building and site infrastructure included collapsed piping and failing waterlines. Deteriorated condition of interior finishes were also documented. 

New construction is not only enabling the CHA to remedy these deficiencies, but is also allowing the agency to create an additional 103 new family units for the site. Nearly 48% of units will have three or more bedrooms, with 85% of the units having two or more bedrooms.  

“Moving forward with a project of this magnitude and scope is incredibly exciting for many reasons,” said Executive Director Michael J. Johnston. “I am proud of our commitment to putting the needs of our residents first every step of the way, and what truly stands out is that we’re not just replacing the original 175 obsolete public housing units, but we are also adding 103 family-sized units. All while ensuring the 278 total units remain deeply affordable and available to the thousands of applicants sitting stagnate on our waiting lists.”

The project is being built by Consigli Construction Co. and is designed by BWA Architecture. 

“The Revitalization of Jefferson Park Federal will create a safe and sustainable environment for the residents and families served by the Cambridge Housing Authority to call home,” said CEO of Consigli Construction Co., Inc. Anthony Consigli. “Consigli is proud to be part of the team delivering a project that puts the community first, as well as addresses urgent local affordable housing needs.”

The design includes six new buildings featuring private entries on the first floor with a mix of private patios and shared courtyards. Each building is designed to meet Passive House and Enterprise Green Communities standards. The placement of the new buildings and roads will allow the property to better connect to the neighborhood’s street grid and provide residents with safer and more accessible access to their homes compared to the previous site. The redevelopment will also include two new Head Start classrooms, playgrounds, a park, bike-sharing stations, and a Food Pantry. Residents will move into the first phase of completed homes in early 2026, with the final units completed by the end of 2026. 

In addition to its federal, state, and local partners, the CHA joined with a number of financial partners to make this transformation possible including The Richman Group, TD Bank, Santander, Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation (CEDAC), Massachusetts Housing Partnership (MHP), and MassHousing.

jefferson park

Photo: MassHousing

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