Just announced by the MA Department of Housing and Community Development, WHALE has been awarded $500,000 to complete the financing gap necessary to start the historic renovation of the Howland House into 7 workforce apartments. The $1.9 Million project includes state and federal historic tax credits, a $250,000 HOME grant from the City of New Bedford, and funding from the Mass Housing Investment Corporation as well as the Keen Foundation.
In January 2005, a three-alarm fire ravaged the 1834 historically significant John Howland Jr. House located at 38 South Sixth Street in New Bedford, just south of downtown. For five years, the house had been exposed to the elements causing severe deterioration and in 2009 it was slated for demolition. In April 2010 WHALE, in partnership with the City of New Bedford, saved the 1834 John Howland Jr. house by purchasing the structurally unsound building from its previous owners. Acquisition and stabilization funds came from WHALE and the City, as well as funding from the MA Historical Commission.
We are excited that the funding has been secured to complete this important neighborhood restoration initiative. WHALE will work with project architect Kit Wise and non-profit development partner The Resource, Inc. to complete the work necessary for a ground breaking later in the year.
