Housing Development

During the 1999-2000 fiscal year, CALL continued its work on a housing development plan that includes the Garnick's building next door to CALL's main office. This plan entails converting both buildings to 24 low to moderate income apartment units with retail/office space at the street level.

Through the assistance and support of our many partners, CALL secured the necessary funding to move forward with the project. The one piece of the puzzle that remains is final approval from the National Parks Historic Board. Since the buildings are listed on the National Historic Register, this approval is necessary before we can proceed. CALL expects to receive this approval and to begin construction in 2001 with full occupancy of the retail and residential space in 2002.

MIDDLESEX STREET LOW/MODERATE INCOME AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT

As a result of the successes in the organization's homebuying program, many participants have purchased their homes in the Lowell area. The Cambodian American League of Lowell sees a need for affordable "starter housing," giving a way for young singles, couples, and single parents to rent affordable housing while saving to buy a home.

Construction began on the affordable housing development of twenty-four units (24) this April 2000 and is expected to be completed within eighteen (18) months.

The low/moderate housing development project includes two (2) building which were built in the late 1800's. The first floors have been used continuously for commercial space, but the upper three (3) floors have been vacant since the 1960's, except for storage for the commercial users. Twenty-four (24) apartments are planned for the upper floors, with fifteen (15 two-bedroom and nine (9) one-bedroom units.

The location of this site, which is quite close to the downtown area, meets the organization's goals for housing designed for parents with one child. In fact, it is our intention that this housing be a stepping stone to further economic and household stability. To that end, all residents of these apartments will be encouraged to participate in the homebuyer training programs that are offered by the Cambodian American League of Lowell and that they begin saving for the purchase of a home. The apartments are planned at rents which are below the achievable market rent, in order to encourage families to save and move on to homeownership, thus completing a cycle and providing an opportunity for the next family to participate.

This development project has obtained commitment for all of the financing needed to complete the project, including tax credits and HOME funds from the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), a grant from the Massachusetts Historical Commission (MHC), Massachusetts Housing Partnership (MHP), Community Economic Development and Assistance Corporation (CEDAC), City of Lowell HOME Fund, and additional financing from Enterprise Bank and Trust Company, Lowell Development and Finance Corporation (LDFC).