Lottery for Graniteville Woods Ends Tomorrow

In case you missed it, tomorrow’s the deadline for applications in this month’s Graniteville Woods Lottery.

The lottery, currently in its second phase, will be offering a total of 41 units being sold to households with incomes at or below 80 percent of the area’s median income.

This project is being shared in part by the Chelmsford Housing Authority, which will be in charge of the lottery portion of the applicants, with the Westford Housing Authority shouldering responsibility for the management agent role afterwards for duties such as subsequent oversight and any potential sales of the homes in the future.

Hopes are high that the effort can give a piece of the American Dream to those who may not have had a chance at owning a home, especially due to the nation’s economic downturn.

“We’re always thrilled to find a home for people who would probably never be in the position of buying a home,” said Chelmsford Housing Authority Affordable Home Ownership Program coordinator Lisa Singleton. “It is a great opportunity to buy at this price.  The upside is that you will never be asked to sell for less than you paid initially."

Nancy Morin, who is an applicant for a two bedroom unit at Graniteville Woods, has family in the area and would like to live in Westford.

"I've been renting all my life and feel like I'm throwing my money away.  I would like to invest in the future and my mortgage payment will be less than I pay for rent (if she wins a lottery spot).  It's been hard because I'm living paycheck to paycheck and I just need to get over that hump," Morin said. 

As there are only 7 applicants for the 13 units that are being offered in this phase, every applicant will be assured of a brand new townhouse complete with granite countertops and modern amenities.  But more importantly, they will have a place to call home.

There are two possible reasons for these applicants’ good fortune of being assured a unit in this phase of the lottery; limiting availability to local preference households, which includes applicants who live and work in Westford and/or work in the regional schools, and applicants needing to meet income criteria set out in Affordable Homeownership Guidelines.  

With market prices on the townhouses ranging from $295,000 to $369,000, Graniteville Woods is located on North Main Street in Graniteville and is being developed by Emanouil Development. 

Following the end of phase two tomorrow, another two phases are left the development process, with more opportunity for lottery applicants.

More information on the lottery process, as well as opportunities and application information can be obtained from Singleton at Lisa@Chelmsfordha.com.