An affordable housing development in Warren has received a $180,000 state grant to develop reasonably priced rentals in a former downtown rectory. The Bristol-based East Bay Community Development Corporation was awarded the money to help in its renovations of the former St. Jean Baptiste rectory at 328 Main St. The organization, which develops affordable housing in the East Bay, purchased the building several years ago and is renovating it into four affordable apartments.
In total, the project’s cost is expected to be about $1.2 million. The rest will be paid for through other funding sources and with a small mortgage.
The grant comes from a pool of $10 million awarded state-wide to 20 similar developments. The funds were approved by voters last November, when they signed off on the state’s $50 million affordable housing bond. EBCDC projects in Bristol and Barrington also received awards.
EBCDC Executive Director Kathleen Bazinet said the former rectory project has been challenging but exciting. Contractors have been there for about four months, she said, and will wrap up their work in another few months.
There will be four units, all with varying numbers of bedrooms. Though Ms. Bazinet does not yet know what rents will be, she estimates the three-bedroom unit will cost approximately $800 to $900 per month.
There is a waiting list for EBCDC housing. Those interested in joining the list should call EBCDC’s Kerri Furtado at 253-2080.
BY TED HAYES – East Bay Newspapers
