The Rural Homes Program seeks to create quality, energy-efficient homes that are move-in ready at an affordable price. This initiative was launched by RDI in partnership with the Attorney General Office’s Neighborhood Renewal Division, Franklin Regional Council of Governments, the City of Greenfield, and other Franklin County municipalities and focuses on rehabilitating vacant, distressed properties, removing health, safety, and code issues as well as neighborhood blight.
Several municipalities in Franklin County have been working with the AGO to address abandoned properties. Through a court-appointed receiver, these properties are brought up to code and placed back on the market. RDI acts as a non-profit receiver, utilizing various subsidy sources to fund the renovations. The cost to rehabilitate these properties is higher than what they can be sold for at an affordable price, requiring subsidies to make up the difference.
The Rural Homes Program targets first-time homebuyer households earning no more than 80% of Franklin County’s median income. In exchange for purchasing the home at a below-market value, the home will come with a 15 or 30-year affordability restriction. If resold within the term of the restriction, it must be sold at an affordable price to another income-eligible homebuyer. The value of the home increases over time, and the homeowner gains equity, just at a restricted amount. After the term of the restriction ends, the home can be sold at market value. Prospective homebuyers will need to go through an application process to verify eligibility and complete a first-time homebuyer course.
Initial seed funding to hire program staff came from a New England Rural Health Association grant sponsored by FRCOG and the North Quabbin Community Coalition. Massachusetts Clean Energy Center – MassCEC – funding is supporting program staff for several years and will help RDI learn best practices in converting homes from fossil fuels to clean energy and improving energy efficiency.
Pilot Project – Cleveland Street, Greenfield
In April 2024, RDI purchased a 3-bedroom home located in a quiet Greenfield neighborhood near the High School. The home was vacant for approximately 10 years and needed substantial renovations, including asbestos and lead abatement. RDI received funding from MassHousing’s Neighborhood Stabilization Program, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston’s Affordable Housing Program, MassCEC, and a construction loan from Greenfield Savings Bank to cover project costs. RDI worked with Austin Design Cooperative for architecture and design services and Renaissance Builders as the General Contractor. Construction was completed in November 2024.
The home was marketed according to an Affirmative Fair Housing Marketing Plan, and a lottery was held to select the homebuyer. The new homebuyer purchased the home in December 2024.
Pilot Project – Unity Street, Montague
RDI’s second pilot project is located on a small lot in Turners Falls, near Unity Park. The home is condemned and will need to be demolished. RDI is currently the court-appointed receiver for this property. RDI plans to abate all hazardous materials, demo the structure, and build a new 2-bedroom, adaptable, energy-efficient modular home on the site. RDI is working with Backyard ADU for design and construction of the home.
Staff will be applying for funding through Mass Housing’s Neighborhood Stabilization Program, and through a local bank for construction financing. The project is also supported by a grant through the Franklin Regional Council of Government’s Improving Housing to Improve Health program. Because the lot is undersized, a Special Permit will be needed from the Montague Zoning Board of Appeals to construct the new home. RDI plans to submit a Special Permit application in fall 2025, with the hope to be able to start construction by summer 2026.
Image credit: Backyard ADU
