MassHousing’s Workforce Housing Initiative, now just over two years old, has so far been a success by nearly every measure. Twenty-six developments have closed or been approved for $59 million in workforce funds. These developments will create or preserve 2,374 units, including 1,220 affordable and 631 workforce units.

This success and the continued demand for workforce housing funds—with many more in our rental lending pipeline—illustrates the need for housing that is affordable for middle-income families in Massachusetts. 

There is a shortage of affordable housing in all corners of Massachusetts, and our focus remains on serving the most vulnerable citizens of the Commonwealth. The Workforce Housing Initiative does not replace our efforts to create and preserve housing for lower-income households. It adds to those efforts by supporting housing that is affordable for those who earn too much to qualify for traditional subsidized units but too little to manage ever rising market rents. These are teachers, nurses, construction and trades professionals, office workers, first responders and others with steady, good-paying jobs who feel the strain of high rents. 

In this issue of MassHousing Update, we showcase a few of the stories from our Workforce Housing Initiative. We are proud of our successes and thankful to the partners who share our commitment to ensuring that all Massachusetts families have an affordable place to call home. 

—Chrystal Kornegay, Executive Director, MassHousing