Community and state leaders celebrate newly renovated Tribune Apartments in South Framingham

FRAMINGHAM, MA – (RealEstateRama) — State Senator Karen Spilka, Representative Jack Lewis, MassHousing Acting Executive Director Tom Lyons and other local leaders joined the nonprofit Preservation of Affordable Housing (POAH) to celebrate completion of over $5.1 million in renovations to Tribune Apartments, a 53-unit affordable housing development for seniors and people with disabilities in the vibrant Irving Square Historic District of South Framingham. The upgrades improve the quality of the apartments while preserving much-needed affordable homes for the community.

Renovations include new kitchens; bathrooms and energy-ef?cient appliances; a roof replacement; masonry work; accessibility improvements; water-saving initiatives; and a new management of?ce. The improvements were made according to preservation requirements that honor the history of this building, which is on the National Register of Historic Places.

“Access to affordable housing is critical to ensuring independence, dignity, and health,” said Congresswoman Katherine Clark (D-MA 5th District). “Today’s ribbon-cutting celebrates our community’s commitment to Framingham’s seniors, people with disabilities, and to one another. I’m thankful for the leadership of POAH, local leaders, and all the community partners who made this renovation possible.”

“These freshly renovated apartments are a critical resource for Framingham seniors and people with disabilities, in the heart of downtown,” said Senator Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “I am proud to partner with state and local leaders in our continued efforts to increase access to affordable housing and the services necessary for independent living in our community.”

With the renovations comes a new office for BayPath Elder Services, which will work with management to connect residents to a range of services, from evidence-based health programs to financial education and computer literacy. The partnership with POAH aims to engage senior residents in their needs and interests to help them remain in their homes and the community.

“MassHousing was pleased to support POAH’s major renovation of the Tribune Apartments, which is an important housing resource in downtown Framingham for low-income senior citizens and residents with disabilities,’’ said Acting MassHousing Executive Director Tom Lyons. “In addition to the significant property improvements, POAH is using a Supportive Housing Award from the Baker/Polito Administration to provide more resident services so the elderly and disabled tenants there can live more independently in a vibrant, downtown housing community.’’

The rehabilitation of Tribune Apartments was made possible by financing partners, including the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development, MassHousing, Massachusetts Housing Investment Corporation, Clocktower Tax Credits, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston and TD Bank.

“We could not have done this without support from the community and our partners,” said POAH President and CEO Aaron Gornstein. “Tribune Apartments will remain affordable for many years to come, allowing residents to age with dignity and independence.”