We Create Opportunities for People to Live, Work and Thrive

Homeownership

Homeownership

Whether you are trying to determine if homeownership is a realistic goal for you or you need help planning for homeownership, we offer workshops and individual counseling that will help you navigate the complicated homebuying process.

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Small Business Assistance

Small Business Assistance

Our Small Business Development program provides comprehensive pro-active support for entrepreneurs planning to launch their own businesses and for owners of existing small businesses.

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Affordable Housing Development

Affordable Housing Development

Since its inception, Valley Community Development has produced over 391 affordable rental and ownership housing units in one of Massachusetts’ most competitive and coveted real estate markets.

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Our Mission:

Mission and Values

Valley Community Development builds social equity by expanding housing and small business opportunities. Since 1988, we have achieved the following accomplishments:

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Homeowners Assisted

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Small Businesses Helped

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Affordable Homes Developed

Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards $27 Million to Decarbonize Affordable Housing Across Massachusetts

Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards $27 Million to Decarbonize Affordable Housing Across Massachusetts

BROOKLINE — The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced the first round of grants under its Affordable Housing Deep Energy Retrofit Grant Program, which the administration created earlier this year. A total of $27.35 million will be awarded to seven organizations for affordable housing projects. The grants will be used to fund deep energy retrofits and energy efficiency upgrades, building system electrification, and onsite renewable energy generation in 10 affordable housing developments in communities across Massachusetts. The announcement took place at The Village at Brookline.

Grants will help 10 affordable housing properties in seven communities upgrade equipment, insulation, and other features to lower energy demand and decarbonize. Program benefits include higher performing buildings that offer residents better indoor air quality and comfort, lower ongoing energy costs for residents and affordable housing providers, the opportunity for affordable housing providers to upgrade their housing stock, and healthier air in the communities were housing is located.

“Every day, I hear from residents who are struggling with the high costs of energy and housing. This grant program will lower monthly energy bills and maintain affordable housing for families across Massachusetts,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Electrifying our buildings presents an important opportunity to drive down energy costs for our residents. We will continue to pursue smart, cost-effective strategies that make our state more affordable, while keeping us on the cutting edge of climate innovation.”

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Northampton homeless encampment concerns neighbors as Mass. shelters reach capacity

Northampton homeless encampment concerns neighbors as Mass. shelters reach capacity

Last winter, Terry “Tree” North was able to leave his tent at an encampment near Texas Road and stay at a Northampton shelter. This year, as the temperature continues to drop, North said he doesn’t know where he will go as shelters are at or are near capacity in Northampton and across the state.

At the same time, as the blanket of falling foliage has revealed the previously unseen tents near some residents’ backyards, a new set of neighbors across the Mill River have added their voices to complain about the encampments on the dead-end street.

Given the complaints, North said he isn’t sure whether he will be forced to leave the encampment, which has been his home-base for around two years.

“I haven’t heard anything from a direct worker and I don’t see any signs up so I’m not sure what’s really going on,” North said. “If they don’t want us staying here, maybe they should give us a place to stay.”

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Exclusionary zoning in Mass. led to housing shortage, segregation, report says

Exclusionary zoning in Mass. led to housing shortage, segregation, report says

Exclusionary zoning throughout the last century across Massachusetts has led to the modern housing shortage and racial segregation throughout the state, according to a new report out Wednesday from Boston Indicators.

The report, which studied zoning codes from many of the state’s 351 cities and towns and the history of their creation, reveals that many zoning regulations were intended, explicitly or implicitly, to hinder housing growth and prevent lower-class residents and people of color from moving into town.

“In the mid-century, many municipalities were explicit about their use of zoning for social class positioning,” said Amy Dain, the researcher who wrote the report, during a Zoom presentation of the findings Wednesday morning. “Exclusion was not a side effect … it was a purpose.”

The report classifies exclusionary zoning into three categories: fiscal zoning, class zoning and racial zoning.

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