Metro West CollaborativeDevelopment–A Year of Expansion
2013 Program Report
Engine 6, Newton
What began as an effort to assist the City of Newton in reaching several of its stated affordable housing goals, ended in the largest controversy Metro West CD has ever found itself. Metro West CD proposed to acquire a former fire station turned non-profit office space and convert it to nine studio apartments for formerly homeless individuals and one studio apt. for a live in house manager. The project would bestaffed by Pine Street Inn, a leader in the provision of services to homeless individuals. The Newton Housing Partnership and Planning Board all voted to support the project. However, after a contentious community meeting the Mayor abruptly announced he would not support the project. As a result we were unable to access federal HOME and CDBG funds that would be necessary to complete the project. Despite the mobilization of hundreds of supporters, the Mayor would not change his mind and the project fell apart. A complete listing of the events and news articles is available at
St. Joseph Hall, Watertown: Renovations Completed
Metro West CD purchased this property from the Dominican Sisters of Peace who had operated a school and then affordable housing on the site for 75 years. Metro West CD was able to obtain $5.5 million in public and private funds to complete the purchase and renovation of the property. Renovations included the installation of new kitchens and baths, new windows and other energy efficiency and accessibility upgrades. Support for the project wasprovided by:CEDAC, the Town of Watertown HOME Program, MassDevelopment, Mass. Dept. of Housing and Community Dev., Mass Housing Investment Corp., Cambridge Savings Bank, Watertown Savings Bank and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston. It is home to 25 elderly households.
Regional Teamwork Expands, Hudson
Metro West CD was selected through a competitive request for proposals process by the towns of Bolton, Boxborough, Littleton, Stow and spearheaded by the Town of Hudson to provide a variety of affordable housing services including: monitoring of existing units, lotteries for available units, conducting pre-development feasibility analysis for potential housing development sites and responding to requests for assistance from individuals and families in need.
Riverbend Apartments, Watertown
Metro West CD was hired by the developer of a 170-unit property to provide the marketing and lottery for the 17 affordable units created as a result of the Town of Watertown’s Inclusionary Zoning. 109 applicants were in the lottery. The project is nearing completion and 13 of the affordable units are leased up. One tenant describes her new home as “a blessing.”
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