Town Celebrates Opening of Amherst Community Homes
Duplexes at Amherst Community Homes. Photo: Art Keene
By Maura and Art Keene
The Town of Amherst celebrated the opening of Amherst Community Homes on Sept. 2, marking the completion of 30 new homes for affordable homeownership. More than 100 people gathered to tour the as-yet-unoccupied homes on the nine-acre site at the intersection of Pulpit Hill Road and Route 63, hear from speakers who helped bring the project to fruition, and enjoy cupcakes from the Carefree Cakery in the Mill District. Valley Community Development Corporation coordinated the project, and Keiter Corp. built it.
The ceremony’s prevailing themes were partnership and community. Speakers emphasized the many individuals and organizations that worked collaboratively to coordinate the design, funding, and construction of the new, inviting neighborhood, noting that the project’s complexity at times made its realization seem improbable. Many in attendance noted that the neighborhood’s design reflected a strong sense of community, with the 15 duplexes clustered around an open area with wide walking paths.
Several speakers thanked the residents of North Amherst —several of whom were in the audience — for warmly welcoming the development. Town Manager Paul Bockelman noted that they “were super supportive throughout.”
The event was attended by state Sen. Jo Comerford, state Rep. Mindy Domb, Town Manager Paul Bockelman, several town councilors, town staff members, and many interested community members.
A Transformational Development
Bockelman said of the project:
“This is an amazing project. It’s transformational. Thirty homes are now here that weren’t here before. And they’re targeted to residents with low and moderate incomes. It focuses on people who have been disproportionately impacted and who become homeowners with the opportunity to build full equity over time—15 years, 30 years. That’s huge. That doesn’t happen in affordable housing. This is a rare species happening in this community.
“The homes meet Passive House and other energy efficiency standards. The solar will defray the homeowner’s cost burdens and stabilize the financials for everybody. So, you know, the project of this size, this magnitude, doesn’t happen without a lot of people involved at every level. In every sense of the word, this is a true partnership.
“We have a housing crisis. We all know that. We know that it comes along with an energy and climate crisis, and that’s why we’re so proud that the project is addressing both the energy and the housing crises.
“We hope our legislators and the Commonwealth will tout this project’s success to showcase the importance of these types of projects.”
72 Applications for 30 Units
The development offers 15 duplexes to those earning 80% to 100% of the area median income (AMI). Many of the future residents will be first-time homeowners. The units are energy-efficient, with both Passive House and solar construction. The parking lot has electric vehicle chargers. The development offers a lot of open space, land for a community garden, and walkways connecting the buildings.
There were 72 applications for the 30 units. Of the 53 applicants who qualified for the lottery, 36 met the criteria for “local preference,” meaning the applicants either currently resided in Amherst, were employed in Amherst, or had children in the Amherst schools. Twenty-six were Amherst residents, one was a town employee, six worked for local businesses, and three had children in the schools. Seven units were reserved exclusively for applicants qualifying for local preference. Seventeen — 47% of the local pool — were BIPOC.
In terms of income qualifications, 10 units were reserved for those making no more than 80% of AMI and 20 for those earning up to 100% of AMI. The duplexes have one-, two-, and three-bedroom units. Two units are accessible, and several others are adaptable. (See table below.)
Eight units are currently under contract and awaiting closing.
Read more: “A New Path to Homeownership: Amherst Community Homes Officially Opens” (Daily Hampshire Gazette). The article includes an interview with first-time homeowner Cat Stryker.
The town contributed to the project through Community Preservation Act funds and the Amherst Municipal Housing Trust. The units were built through the CommonWealth Builder program, run by the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC), a state program aimed at increasing homeownership, particularly among people of color.
Planning began in 2023, and the necessary permits were obtained in 2024. Construction began in 2025. The units are now ready for occupancy.
