Chapman Arms – Cambridge, Massachusetts

Our attorneys represented Homeowner’s Rehab, Inc., a Cambridge-based non-profit housing developer, in the acquisition and financing of Chapman Arms, a 50-unit building with 10,000 square feet of commercial space located in Harvard Square ground-leased from Harvard University. Homeowner’s Rehab, Inc. was designated as developer by DHCD under M.G.L. c. 40T in order to preserve the affordability of 25 of the units for the long term. This was DHCD’s first developer designation under Chapter 40T. Acquisition of the project was financed by Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation and rehabilitation of the project was financed with a loan from Bank of New York Mellon, the purchaser of Tax Exempt Bonds issued by MassDevelopment, loans from the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development, the City of Cambridge, Cambridge Neighborhood Apartment Services, Inc., and the Massachusetts Affordable Housing Trust Fund. Financial assistance also included an equity investment by Massachusetts Housing Equity Fund and the sale of Massachusetts State Historic Tax Credits.

Putnam Green Apartments – Cambridge, Massachusetts

Furthering the transition of a formerly industrial section of Cambridge into a cohesive residential community, Nolan Sheehan Patten represented Homeowner’s Rehab., Inc. (HRI) in utilizing a ground lease structure to acquire and finance this new, 40-unit, affordable housing complex. The units have been built to satisfy, and are in the process of being certified for, the LEED for Homes Platinum standard. We advised HRI in assembling a financing package of over $13 million, which consisted of construction/permanent financing from TD Bank, N.A. and Massachusetts Housing Partnership Fund Board, public financing from the City of Cambridge, DHCD, CEDAC and MassHousing, and equity financing from the Massachusetts Housing Equity Fund, Inc. Of the 40 units, 6 are reserved for families with incomes below 30% median income and 3 are accessible to individuals with mobility and/or sensory impairments. This development now fills the streetscape along Putnam Avenue and Sidney Street and adds to the residential vitality of the neighborhood.