HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) – A groundbreaking ceremony for 38 affordable apartments in Holyoke was held at the Holyoke Public Library on Thursday.
Wayfinders held the groundbreaking for its Library Commons Development, which will provide 38 affordable apartments, support services, retail and cultural spaces.
The development will feature 23-two bedroom apartments and 15 three-bedroom apartments. The complex will feature on-site laundry, two wheelchair-accessible apartments, 54 off-street parking spaces and is a short distance from childcare centers, public transportation, and schools.
The apartments are limited to people who are at or above 60 percent of the area median income.
“A lot of people are having difficulty getting housing particularly our cities because even though rent is lower here than a place like Boston they have still been going up,” said Peter Gagliardi, president, and CEO of Wayfinders.
The project was funded by a number of organizations and grants including the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development, and the city of Holyoke HOME investment partnerships program.
The following were in attendance at the groundbreaking:
- Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse
- Way Finders President and CEO Peter Gagliardi
- Janelle Chan from the Department of Housing and Community Development
- Roger Herzog from the Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation
- Nancy McCafferty from the Massachusetts Housing Partnership
- Anne Teschner from The Care Center
- Representatives from the Massachusetts Housing Investment Corporation, Holyoke City Council, and the Chestnut Community Alliance.
Wayfinders has a partnership with the Care Center on Roque House that is a facility that will provide ten two-bedroom and three-bedroom apartments for families headed by young parents whoa re full-time students.
