TURNERS FALLS — Ahead of a Montague Planning Board public hearing on the proposed construction of six affordable housing units on First Street, Franklin Hampshire Habitat for Humanity offered an information session on the project on Monday.
The information session, held at The Brick House Community Resource Center, was one of the first to be held after the project stalled three years ago due to site contamination. Since 2023, Montague, with support from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, has successfully abated the soil contaminants, putting the project back on track for Planning Board consideration.
Megan McDonough, executive director of Franklin Hampshire Habitat for Humanity that was previously called Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity, explained that if the Planning Board approves the site plan, it will set up the project for officially transferring the land from the town to Habitat for Humanity. An application window for people interested in living in the future residences is anticipated to open in the fall.
“We’re really grateful to the town, which has invested time and effort to clean it up and make it available for housing,” McDonough said.
Franklin Hampshire Habitat for Humanity earned a $1.068 million grant in the spring from the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities’ Neighborhood Stabilization Program, supporting the project with funding for permitting and construction.
At Monday’s meeting, Habitat for Humanity provided renderings of what the homes could look like along First Street. These renderings included plans for five two-story, three-bedroom homes and one single-story, two-bedroom home, available to prospective homeowners with accessibility needs. The homes will be built with energy-efficient appliances, using mini splits for heating and cooling, and solar capabilities.
Some of the decision-making that’s still in progress, McDonough noted, involves how the application window will work. The options could be to open the 60-day application window for all six of the units, or split the applications into two phases to align with the staggered construction planned for three homes in 2028 and three homes in 2029.
A key part of Habitat for Humanity housing is making homeownership accessible for those earning a certain percentage of the area’s median income. According to Franklin Hampshire Habitat for Humanity’s website, the organization allows prospective homeowners making between 30% and 50% of the area’s median income to afford homeownership. The homes also become deed-restricted, thus maintaining their affordability in perpetuity.
McDonough explained there are some pre-qualification criteria for those interested in a home. These requirements include the desire to partner with Habitat for Humanity to be part of the building process through 250 hours of “sweat equity” and demonstrated ability to pay the mortgage. These are requirements for all applicants, and those whose applications are approved will be part of a lottery to be chosen for housing.
For those with physical limitations that prevent them from helping construct the home, McDonough said there are other opportunities to log the required hours of volunteer time.
While not an exclusion, McDonough clarified that there are priorities associated with the houses, with priority given to applicants who will need all three bedrooms. Applicants with accessibility needs will be prioritized for the single-story residence.
McDonough said demand for the homes can range, but typically only one-third of the applicant pool is even eligible, meaning those who meet the pre-qualifications and submit a complete application have a good chance of being selected.
“It’s not one in a thousand,” McDonough said.
Stacey Langknecht, parent and family services director for The Brick House, asked if the Montague homes are limited to residents. McDonough confirmed the First Street housing will be open to anyone who wants to apply, regardless of where they are now.
“We’ll advertise heavily in Montague so people will know how and when to apply,” McDonough said.
“We’ll help you with that,” Langknecht replied.
More information sessions on the project are set to be scheduled, and the Planning Board will take up the topic on Tuesday, Aug. 25, at 6:30 p.m. at Montague Town Hall and via Zoom at 6:30 p.m. Meeting information is available at tinyurl.com/yjmtdjr4.
