A new affordable housing project constructed from cross-laminated timber could soon rise over a disused parking lot in ‘Area 11’, Cambridge, Massachusetts, all thanks to changes to the Affordable Housing Overlay zoning, which now allow 100% affordable housing buildings to reach 12 stories along major corridors.
The new scheme, which is now awaiting funding from the Cambridge Affordable Housing Trust and an official zoning certification from the city, was presented by Capstone Communities, Hope Real Estate Enterprises and MPZ Development to officials almost four years to the day after a nine-storey development on the site was withdrawn: “We’re back here with a new design, a new concept, but the mission remains the same, which is to provide high-quality affordable housing to folks that need it,” according to Jason Korb, of Capstone Communities, who presented to city officials. Featuring 73 units, Korb said that the increased density was a directive from the city, which is increasingly looking to ramp up affordable family housing. “From an urban planning standpoint and urban design standpoint, based on all those facts and circumstances, it’s appropriate.”
Featuring large windows, wood materials, warm neutral colours and a contemporary aesthetic: “We’re setting out to design an elegant, light and airy building that looks forward,” said Jason Forney, lead architect for the project with Bruner/Cott Architects, with the use of mass timber crucial in building lightweight columns, beams and panels over steel frame.
Construction will begin mid-2027, with residents moving in 2029
Wood Central understands that the current plans meet the minimum state guidelines for housing for families in the “extremely low income” tier, which is defined as earning 30% of the median income for the area. This includes an income range of $39,000 for two household members and up to $53,000 for a family of five. (Overall, 71% of the project’s units have two or three bedrooms, meant to be useful for families.)
Twelve of the 73 units will be for families in that bracket. “We would really like to make a concerted effort to add many more,” Korb said. The property would be managed by Peabody Properties, which provides resident services, including home care visits and wellness programs. “We have had residents who have struggled, and we don’t want that; we want them to succeed,” Korb said.
Although the project is designed to be built “as of right” – permitted under existing zoning regulations – developers say it awaits official city approval to meet affordable housing guidelines. The team also anticipates a hearing with the Cambridge Affordable Housing Trust for an addition of approximately $14 million. The total project is estimated to be $70 million, primarily funded through public sources, including a federal loan and the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit. The development team plans to submit applications “detailing specific parts of the project and compiling information” to the Community Development Department and Affordable Housing Trust by the end of July, Hope said earlier this week..
All going to plan, construction is expected to begin in mid-2027 at the earliest, and residents could move in around mid-2029. Hope said the team is in contact with neighbours but does not plan on further community meetings as the development continues. The Community Development Department meeting to certify the development will be open to public comment.
- To learn more about the growth of mass timber projects in the country’s Northeast, click here for Wood Central’s special feature.
