Team Effort on a Unique Development in the Acre

Coalition for a Better Acre CEO, Yun-Ju Choi, Director of Real Estate, Claire Ricker, and Real Estate Project Managers, Thomas Emery, Russell Pandres, and Joseph Boyle attended Governor Baker's Rental Rounds announcement at the Arlington Point project in Lawrence, MA on Thursday, July 15, 2021 (watch announcement).

CBA was awarded funding from the state for a critical project right here in the Acre. Support from the Department of Housing and Community Development and Baker-Polito Administration will be leveraged to build 27 units of affordable, permanent housing for those who are in recovery from a substance abuse disorder. CBA will work in partnership with Lowell House, Inc. and our consultation team to offer housing and support services that enable individuals the safety of a sober environment.

With first floor retail space, the three floor development at 555 Merrimack Street will be built to Passive House standards; a design process that results in ultra-low-energy, efficient buildings and a reduced ecological footprint. Read more about passive housing at https://www.phius.org/what-is-passive-building/passive-house-pri

Gov. Charlie Baker, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, Senator Ed Kennedy, Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy and Housing and Community Development Undersecretary Jennifer Maddox, as well as other local legislators and officials were in Lawrence's Arlington Mills Historic District to announce affordable housing awards for 28 projects in development across 21 communities in Massachusetts.

Undersecretary of Housing and Economic Development, Jennifer Maddox expressed her amazement at the power of housing development, "Since 2015, DHCD has led with the preservation and production of more than 20,000 units through capital funding and tax credit allocations in every region of our Commonwealth".