Valley Community Development

There are still some spots in our Post-Purchase Workshop!

This free workshop will provide expert advice on how to care for your home. Learn essential tips on energy efficiency, seasonal maintenance, and safeguarding your investment during tough economic times.

Register here: https://www.tfaforms.com/4889877

This workshop fulfills MHP One Mortgage Loan Program requirements.

We want to extend our thanks to bankESB for hosting a backpack drive to support our student residents.

Your donation of 40 backpacks filled with essentials will go a long way in supporting the educational journey of these students and easing the financial burden on their families.

We appreciate your commitment to supporting local families and students.

The Affordable Homes Act: Smart housing, livable communities Read more about the Affordable Homes Act, the most ambitious legislation in state history that will tackle rising housing prices in Massachusetts.

The Amherst Affordable Housing Trust Fund voted to award $350,000 to Valley to develop Amherst Community Homes. This $20.5M development features 30 affordable homes and is set to break ground in the spring. Stay tuned for more details coming soon!

For the full article, visit https://www.gazettenet.com/Amherst-commits-350-000-to-Ball-Lane-affordable-homes-project-56499144

Ball Lane affordable housing project in Amherst gets $350K town boost AMHERST — A $20.5 million development in North Amherst featuring 30 affordable homes, each of which will be owned by families, is getting another influx of money from the town, a commitment that should ensure ground can be broken next spring.The...

Looking for affordable housing opportunities? Check out these options in Easthampton and Northampton:

🔸Cottage Street Commons - Lottery applications are now open for newly constructed apartments
🔸Orchard View - Waitlist applications are open for seniors or individuals with a qualifying disability
🔸Michael's House - Waitlist applications are open for seniors or individuals with a qualifying disability

Please note these are not owned or operated by Valley and we are unable to answer any questions.

Here’s another photo of the construction progress at Laurel Street! The buildings have layers of exterior insulation added, windows are installed, and roofing is going on.

Congratulations to The International Language Institute of Massachusetts on 40 remarkable years! Our Program Director Sarah was thrilled to celebrate ILI’s incredible work, including their partnership with Valley, last week.

Last call for our September First-Time Homebuyer’s Webinar!

🗓️ Sessions: September 11, 12, & 18, 2024 ⏰ Time: 6pm - 9pm 📍 Venue: Zoom

Cost is $50 per household* but if you live in Easthampton, MA, and your income falls within the specified range, you may be eligible for free attendance. Contact Mariam Khan at 413-586-5855 ext. 231 for more information.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/september-2024-first-time-homebuyer-webinar-series-tickets-918967184587



*Attendance is required at all sessions. Registration is non-refundable. Please reach out if you need accommodation due to disability or lack of technology access.

Join us in celebrating the work anniversaries of two exceptional team members, Jessica and Joshua!

Jessica's expertise in planning and affordable housing development are a huge plus for Valley. She brings a sense of humor and an incredible ability to alway lend a hand when needed.

As our Office Manager, Joshua is a person of many talents, not the least of which is always remaining calm! He is essential to everything Valley does!

Thank you both for your hard work and commitment to Valley. We're grateful to have you both on our team!

Just a friendly reminder about our upcoming Small Business Fundamentals Workshop on Wednesday, September 4th!

This free workshop is a fantastic opportunity for both budding entrepreneurs and established business owners to refresh their business fundamentals.

🗓️ Wednesday, September 4 ⏰ 12pm-1:15pm 📍 Zoom

https://www.valleycdc.org/workshop_calendar/?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=org&utm_campaign=August&utm_content=Small+Business+Fundamentals

Watching 23 Laurel Street in Northampton transform day by day! We're continuing to make great strides in construction and are excited to welcome 20 families to their new homes in the summer of 2025. Stay tuned!

Housing discrimination, in any form, is against the law.

If you believe you've experienced housing discrimination, you're not alone. Reach out to Massachusetts Fair Housing Center. Fill out their online intake form or get in touch with their office at the link below. https://www.massfairhousing.org/housing-discrimination

A testament to the power of community collaboration, the revitalization of the iconic Iron Horse club is truly a story worth celebrating.

Chris Freeman, executive director of the Parlor Room Collective, and his team worked tirelessly to transform this beloved venue into an even more vibrant communal space. And we are proud to have played a role in this transformation.

Read the full story at https://www.reidermedia.com/published-articles/chris-freemans-parlor-room-collective-liberates-the-iron-horse-july-2024-northampton-living

Join us on Saturday, September 28, 2024, from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm to get expert advice on energy-saving tips, seasonal maintenance, and safeguarding your investment!

This workshop, which fulfills MHP One Mortgage Loan Program requirements, will help you care for your beloved home.

The best part? It's FREE!

Save your spot today by registering at https://www.valleycdc.org/workshop_category/homeownership-webinars/?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=org&utm_campaign=August&utm_content=Post+Purchase+Webinar

If you require accommodation or cannot attend due to lack of access to technology, please reach out to us.

Support us in making a difference by:

» Writing an op-ed in your local paper

» Emailing your legislators and let them know that access to housing and funding to support healthy small businesses are important to you

» Attending your local select board or city council meetings when they are discussing housing or small business development and voice your support

» Making a donation to Valley

Embarking on your first homebuying journey? Join us for our First-Time Homebuyer's Webinar this September!

In this webinar, you'll learn from real estate professionals including attorneys, loan officers, realtors, home inspectors & housing counselors. Plus, gain insights on how to improve your credit and ask those burning questions before making this life-changing decision.

Our course, recognized by MHP & MassHousing, can help you qualify for special mortgage products.

Webinar details:
Dates: September 11, 12 &18, 2024
Time: 6pm-9pm
Cost: $50 for two adults in the same household
Attendance is required for all three sessions

Learn more at https://www.valleycdc.org/workshop_calendar/?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=org&utm_campaign=August&utm_content=First-Time+Homebuyers+Webinar

Thinking of making your home more accessible? Here are five benefits of applying to the Home Modification Loan Program (HMLP)!

1. Massachusetts State-Funded
2. 0% interest loans
3. No monthly payments
4. Customize your accessibility modifications
5. Increase accessibility & safety in your home

Learn more and see how you can benefit today by emailing [email protected].

We believe in empowering our community without barriers. That's why our one-on-one services are FREE!

We're here to provide the resources and support you need. It's our mission to help you succeed without the burden of additional costs.

Get in touch with us to find out more about our free services.

Join us on Wednesday, September 4 from 12 PM - 1:15 PM on Zoom as we dive into the core fundamentals of managing a successful business. This workshop will provide you with a robust framework for starting and growing your venture.

https://www.tfaforms.com/4964796

We feel incredibly fortunate to work with amazing local small businesses that are enriching our community with their creativity and craftsmanship.

Supporting local businesses like Healy Guitars is at the heart of what we do at Valley.

We recently celebrated Bill's two-year work anniversary with Valley. With his expertise and unwavering commitment to sustainability, Bill is an invaluable asset to our team. His dedication to redeveloping under-utilized sites, advocating for energy efficiency, and supporting our local community truly makes a difference.

Here's to many more years, Bill!

Richard's story is a testament to the power of the Home Modification Loan Program (HMLP). The program has transformed over 3,000 households across Massachusetts, fostering independence for seniors and individuals with disabilities.

If you need financial assistance with modifications like ramps, lifts, sensory integration spaces, kitchen and bathroom adaptations, and much more, we're here to help. Reach out to learn more about the 0% interest loans we offer for necessary home modifications.

Contact us at 413-586-5855 ext. 231 or email [email protected].

Support the expansion of accessible therapeutic massage with Iridescence Healing Arts!

You can help increase accessibility for individuals of various health backgrounds, fostering deep healing and connection in our community. Your support will help Iridescence Healing Arts invest in crucial equipment, making therapeutic work more accessible for people with limited mobility

Owner and licensed massage therapist, Mary Gabis, brings an integrative, trauma-informed, and mind-body approach to her practice.

Every donation counts and helps towards their goal. Plus, everything you donate will be matched through MGCC's BIZ-M-POWER Grant, doubling the impact of your generosity!

https://www.patronicity.com/project/support_accessibility_upgrades_for_iridescence_healing_arts #!/

Questions? Contact Mary Gabis at 413-437-0898 or email [email protected].

Sharing some crucial resources provided by
Clinical & Support Options Inc.'s Friends of the Homeless (FOH) program!

FOH has emergency shelters in Springfield, Northampton, and Greenfield, and they provide essential amenities including shower and laundry facilities.

FOH delivers wholesome meals prepared by trained culinary staff and serves meals daily at their Worthington Street location in Springfield.

Reach out to Friends of the Homeless staff at 413.732.3069.

Learn more at https://www.csoinc.org/housing-homeless-services

Everyone Deserves a Place to Live!

“Massachusetts residents view the housing crisis as the most important issue currently facing the Bay State, with 75% of those who tried to buy a new home and 83% who tried to rent a new home in the past year saying that they encountered challenges during the process.” (UMASS Amherst Donahue Institute)

We are working hard to make an impact in our community. East Gables in Amherst is full, with 28 folks loving their new apartments. Laurel Street in Northampton is under construction — we look forward to moving 20 families into their homes in the summer of 2025. Prospect Place construction in Northampton is soon underway, adding another 60 affordable homes for individuals and families at the former blighted and abandoned Northampton nursing home in the coming years.

With several other developments coming up, we hope to add nearly 200 affordable rental and ownership homes to our community in the near future.

Community coming together to make change

We are so grateful to Senator Jo Comerford for her incredible leadership and support of affordable housing through the Affordable Homes Act, a $5.4 billion dollar policy and bonding authorization bill.

In the Senator’s words: “Thanks to the advocacy of the Western Mass Housing Coalition, the Rural Policy Advisory Commission, the Western Mass Network to End Homelessness, the Franklin County Regional Housing and Redevelopment Authority, Valley Community Development, Stavros, the Franklin Regional Council of Governments, and many others, many of our priorities were already included in the bill that came to the Senate floor.”