Arlington Scores Multi-million Grant For Affordable Housing

ARLINGTON, MA — The town announced it has received a $3.5 million grant from the state for being compliant with MBTA zoning requirements.

The funds were given through the MBTA Communities Catalyst Fund Program, and will be used to construct affordable housing units. Arlington was reportedly one of the first municipalities to become MBTA-compliant, when Town Meeting voters approved the zoning ordinance in 2023. The town recently acquired two apartment buildings at 840 and 846 Mass Ave with 57 residential units and will be converted into deed-restricted affordable units.

“This grant allows the Housing Corporation of Arlington to purchase the properties and put them on a path to deed-restricted affordable housing, greatly expanding the amount of affordable housing in Arlington, while protecting existing tenants from displacement due to high rents,” Executive Director of Housing Corporation of Arlington Erica Schwarz said.

As part of its agreement with the Town and the Affordable Housing Trust, the Housing Corporation of Arlington will initially deed-restrict 8 units at 60% area median income and 2 units at 100% AMI to existing income-qualified tenants.