Proposed 'Hammond Heights' To Bring 41 Affordable Units To Main South

WORCESTER, MA — A major affordable housing proposal is moving forward in Worcester’s Main South neighborhood, as a local nonprofit is looking to redevelop a former funeral home parking lot into a five-story residential building.

The Main South Community Development Corporation which has developed hundreds of affordable housing units in the city, is the applicant behind the proposed project at 11 Hammond St., according to project materials filed with the Zoning Board of Appeals.

The site currently consists of a vacant parking lot at the former location of Alfred Roy & Sons Funeral Home and a small freestanding garage structure, according to the project narrative.

• After 50 Years, Beloved Worcester Eatery To Get New Owners

The development, to be called “Hammond Heights,” would bring a five-story, 41-unit multifamily building to the property, according to the project description. The submitted plans also include 35 parking spaces and site-related amenities.

The project is intended to “provide much-needed affordable and accessible options for individuals and families in Worcester’s Main South neighborhood,” according to the applicant’s narrative.

Todd Rodman, representing Main South CDC, presented the proposal at a Zoning Board of Appeals meeting on Mar. 16, according to meeting records. The application was unanimously approved and is now conditionally approved, per the Zoning Board's decision.

The applicant also requested a variance to reduce the required parking from 41 to 35 spaces for the multifamily development, according to Mar. 16 meeting minutes.

• $1M Lottery Ticket Sold At Worcester Convenience Store

Housing Breakdown, Affordability

The proposed unit mix includes 25 two-bedroom apartments, 13 one-bedroom units, and 3 studio apartments, according to project filings. Four of the 41 units would be fully accessible, according to the plans.

Of the total units, 12 (about 29 percent) would be reserved for extremely low-income households earning below 30 percent of the area median income, according to the project narrative. The Main South CDC also plans to pursue eight Section 8 Project-Based Vouchers and four MRVP vouchers to support the project’s financing structure, according to its application.

The remaining 29 units (71 percent) would serve households earning at or below 60 percent AMI, according to the filings. Six of the one- and two-bedroom units are also expected to be designated for seniors age 55 and older, if approved by the state Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, according to the project proposal.

• Worcester Housing Market Shows Fewer Sales, Higher Prices In March

Affordability Pressures in Main South

Project documents highlight ongoing housing affordability challenges in the neighborhood, according to the application materials. More than half of Main South residents are cost-burdened, spending over 30 percent of their income on housing, according to the narrative.

In 2023, median rent in the neighborhood accounted for roughly 40% of the median household’s monthly income, according to the project filing. Developers say rising rents and new higher-end housing have contributed to displacement pressures, increased risk of homelessness and financial strain among lower-income residents, according to the application.

The proposal also highlights the area's senior housing needs, according to project documents. Nearly two in five residents age 65 or older live with at least one disability, and the median income for senior households is approximately $33,530, according to the filing.

See Also:

• Worcester Sidewalks To Get ADA Upgrades With $130K In State Funding
• Worcester Projects Get $2.7M In Funding For Environmental Research, Affordable Housing
• Worcester County Woman Accused Of Stealing Over $100K In Social Security Benefits