Work Begins On 20-Unit Affordable Housing Project In Malden

The location is the former site of a Salvation Army on Main Street.

By Benjamin Pierce, Patch Staff

Oct 22, 2026 9:54 AM EDT

The project previously received funding from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities. (Dakota Antelman/Patch)

MALDEN, MA — Work has begun on a new affordable housing project at the former location of the Salvation Army.

Twenty income-restricted apartments are planned for 213 Main Street as Asian Community Development Corporation has begun preliminary site work at the property. Construction is expected to take approximately 18 months, with the project scheduled to be completed in spring 2028.

ACDC purchased the property in 2022 using American Rescue Plan Act funds provided by the city. The three-story building will include five one-bedroom units, 13 two-bedroom units, and two three-bedroom units, for a total of 37 bedrooms.

According to previously announced plans, 16 rental units will be restricted to households earning 60 percent of the area median income, while the remaining four will be available to households earning 30 percent AMI.

The project previously received funding from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities. At the time of that announcement, the development had already received more than $1 million combined through American Rescue Plan Act and Community Preservation Act funding.

The project was designed by ICON Architecture and will be all-electric and solar-ready, with energy-efficient heating and cooling systems. The building will also meet Enterprise Green Community and Energy Star Multifamily New Construction standards.

"The City of Malden deeply values ACDC's longstanding partnership and commitment to serving our residents," Mayor Gary Christenson said. "Their steadfast dedication to advancing affordable housing, despite the many challenges involved, has had a meaningful and lasting impact on our community."

The development will be ACDC's first affordable housing building in Malden. The organization began investing in the city in 2016 and has 40 years of experience creating and preserving affordable communities in Greater Boston.

Ward 1 City Councilor Peg Crowe said the project has taken significant work and partnership to move forward. Crowe said affordable housing is greatly needed in Malden and that she will continue working with ACDC to bring the new homes to Ward 1.

ACDC also offers a youth leadership program that provides high school students with professional development and creative skills to support change in their community. Malden residents can access the organization's homebuying education in Chinese and English, along with free financial and housing counseling.

"ACDC is honored to partner with the City of Malden and the Malden community on developing 213 Main St, which will be our organization's first affordable building in Malden," ACDC Executive Director Angie Liou said. "213 Main Street represents our commitment to invest in Maldonians and the shared vision of an affordable and vibrant city."