Beacon Presents Plan for a Multi-Generational Housing Development in North Amherst.

Report on the Meeting of the Amherst Municipal Affordable Housing Trust, January 22, 2026

This meeting was held over Zoom and was recorded.

Present
Gaston de los Reyes (chair), Alex Cox, Allegra Clark, Karla Rasche, and Heejae Kim. Absent: Rob Allingham, and Bob Pomeroy

Staff: Greg Richane (Housing Coordinator)

Darcy Jameson, Vice President of Development for Beacon Communities, presented the preliminary concept for a four-story intergenerational housing complex planned for the Mitchell Property on Montague Road in North Amherst. The project is planned to include 80 to 85 one- and two-bedroom units of senior (over 55) housing and 60 to 65 one-, two-, and three-bedroom units of family housing (no age qualification). 

All units would be affordable, most at 80% area median income (AMI) with some at 30% AMI. The plans include about 210 parking spaces, a play area, a dog park, and new sidewalks along Montague Road. The building would meet passive house standards for energy efficiency and would be all electric. The design will adhere to wetlands protection guidelines. The project is contingent on there being state or local funds to extend the sewer line from Ball Lane to the site.

Beacon Communities is a Boston-based affordable housing developer, owner, and property manager with over 40 years of experience. The company owns 20,000 apartments in 135 communities throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, most of which are affordable, deeply subsidized housing that includes full resident services and community engagement teams. In Western Massachusetts, Jameson led the development of the multi-generational Treehouse Community in Easthampton, which brought together seniors and families adopting children from the public foster care system. In 2014, with $1.25 million in Community Preservation Act funds, Beacon purchased the Rolling Green Apartments to preserve their affordability and collaborated on the North Square mixed-affordability complex in the Mill District, which was completed about four years ago.

Jameson said that the company prides itself on the interior spaces of its units and the amenities for residents. She stated that it is challenging to find sites in Amherst that provide an opportunity to create a meaningful number of affordable apartments, given the extensive need in town. She noted the challenges of the Mitchell property and has been working with a technical team and has also begun meeting with neighbors to understand their concerns, especially around traffic and density.

Jameson stressed that the project is in its very early stages. Beacon will apply for financing through state and federal sources, but will expect the town of Amherst and/or the Affordable Housing Trust to contribute about $2 million. The entire project is expected to cost $90 to $100 million and be completed in 2028.

The project will be entirely residential. Jameson pointed to the Mill District as a nearby commercial area, although there is no grocery store in the area. She suggested that, perhaps the increased population in the area could support a grocery store. The Amherst Survival Center is about a mile away.

Trust member Karla Rasche liked the idea of an intergenerational development and was pleased that the concept might be advantageous in applying for funding. Allegra Clark hoped Beacon would continue to address residents’ concerns. Alex Cox asked about how long the units would remain affordable. Jameson said likely 30 to 45 years, depending on the zoning and funding.

In public comment, Robin Jaffin (see here for her previous commentary in the Indy) said area residents support affordable housing, but have concerns about the impact of a development of this size on the site.  Cathy Schoen noted that the main intersection in North Amherst has “always been a nightmare,” but the state said that there was not enough traffic in the area to qualify for a MassWorks grant. She wondered if the addition of this development would help the town procure funds to redo the intersection. She also suggested that the façade be arranged to make the building look less massive.

Laura Baker of Valley Community Development Corporation said she was excited to see an all-affordable project to complement North Square, which has some affordable units but is more market-rate and student housing. She also suggested that Beacon look into geothermal wells as an efficient means of heating and cooling the project.

Housing Trust Awards $300,000 for Amity Street Affordable Homeownership Project
Housing Trust members voted unanimously to devote $300,000 of their funds toward Amherst Community Land Trust’s (ACLT) purchase of the property at 174 Amity Street. ACLT plans to turn the existing house into three affordable townhouses and have Habitat for Humanity add an affordable duplex on the site. All five units would be homeownership opportunities for qualified buyers.

The Housing Trust stipulated certain prerequisites to be met before they released the money. These include a legal purchase option agreement for the property, the involvement of an attorney, a commitment from a contractor, and adequate construction financing. ACLT has applied for CPA funds and will conduct private fundraising and apply to other nonprofits to make the project viable.

Applications for Amherst Community Homes Now Being Accepted. Information Session February 7
Jessica Allen, Valley CDC Project Manager for Amherst Community Homes, the 30-townhouse style affordable homeownership units off of Ball Lane, announced that the second information session for potential buyers will be held on Saturday, February 7 from 12 to 1 p.m. at the North Amherst Library. There will also be a virtual option. Representatives from Valley CDC will be available beginning at 9 a.m. to meet with those who have individual questions.

Applications are due by February 24. All applicants must be preapproved for a mortgage to be considered for the homes in the lottery. Allen recommended that applicants shop around for the best mortgage rates. The Valley CDC webpage has some suggestions of possible lenders. The first homes will be completed by the end of March and the remainder by July.