Eagle Mill Awarded Low-income Housing Tax Credits

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LEE, Mass. — The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced $182 million in low-income housing tax credits and subsidies to 21 rental housing developments that will create or preserve 1,245 homes across Massachusetts.
 
This includes the Eagle Mill.
 
Currently in phase II, the new construction project adjacent to Eagle Mill Phase I is a mill conversion project now underway in Lee. 
 
The sponsor of both phases is a partnership between Hearthway and Jon Rudzinski of Rees-Larkin. When completed, Eagle Mill Phase II will offer 44 total units. Twenty-four units will be reserved for families earning less than 60 percent of AMI, with eight units further restricted for families earning less than 30 percent of AMI and, in some cases, transitioning from homelessness. 
 
In total, the administration has supported the creation of 6,071 affordable rental units since Governor Maura Healey took office in January 2023. 
 
These awards were made possible in part through the Affordable Homes Act and by Governor Healey's tax cuts package, which raised the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit to $60 million annually, a $20 million increase that allows the state to support more affordable housing production.  
 
"Our administration is working on all fronts to build more reasonably-priced housing and lower costs for everyone," said Governor Healey. "These awards are creating thousands of apartments that people can actually afford. This is helping seniors age independently and close to their families and helping workers afford to live in the communities where their jobs are. Congratulations to the municipalities and developers who are receiving these well-deserved awards today."
 
These investments will leverage nearly $450 million in private equity, supporting urgently needed affordable housing in urban, suburban and rural communities. 
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Ribbon Cut on Lee's Long-Awaited Housing Development

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

LEE, Mass.— After more than a decade of work, tenants will move into the Eagle Mill Lofts this fall. 

On Tuesday, Hearthway and Rees-Larkin Development held a ribbon-cutting for the first 56 apartments in the former paper mill.  Sitting on the banks of the Housatonic River, this development offers one- to three-bedroom, mixed-income units in the heart of the downtown. 

Lead Developer Jeffrey Cohen said the apartments are "unbelievable."  The building's original brick is celebrated in the units, which feature different layouts and are contrasted with modern appliances and features. 

"I saw the apartments when they first got done, and I couldn't understand really how they look so good," he said during a ceremony in the foyer. 

"And I think that is so good for the town of Lee, for affordable housing in general." 

This project has been ongoing since 2012.  Individuals and families will begin to move in next month.  This is the first phase; another 44 apartments will be built onsite. 

President and CEO of Hearthway Eileen Peltier said projects like the Eagle Mill are important to addressing the need for housing at varied income levels.  These units will house families of varied incomes, with rent-assisted units for people making 30 percent of the area median income, and affordable units for those in the 60-80 percent AMI. 

Rents under these guidelines range from $1,360 for a one-bedroom to $2,100 for a three-bedroom. 

"What that means is that people with varied life resumes will be living here in this beautiful community," Peltier said. 

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