June 13, 2025: H-W News
In a largely rural, wooded area of Asbury Street in Hamilton, a 10-unit development of affordable homes is currently being built by Essex County Habitat for Humanity with the support of the town of Hamilton’s Affordable Housing Trust.
Partnerships of this type can help expand the town’s inventory of affordable housing amid the relentless rise of housing prices locally and regionally in recent years. They also reduce the prevalence of housing developments built under the state’s 40B requirements, which can cause controversy because they allow developers to bypass certain local zoning restrictions when at least 20 to 25% of the units in a given project is subject to affordability restrictions.
Essex County Habitat for Humanity’s mission is to bring people together to build affordable homes, strengthen families and communities, and foster hope. This project is doing all of that.
Habitat for Humanity builds high-quality, safe and affordable homes in partnership with the families who need them. Each selected partner family must devote at least 240 hours of sweat equity alongside volunteers to build their home, and then is responsible for an affordable 30-year mortgage. These hardworking families are empowered to improve their own futures once the stability of a forever home at an affordable cost becomes their reality.
“Our homeownership program is unique – it gives a hand up, not a hand out,” Said Meegan O’Neil, Habitat executive director. “Studies have shown that a stable, healthy, affordable home has long-lasting and life-changing impacts on families and communities. And we see those impacts every day.”
The 10 families who will live in the homes under construction in Hamilton were chosen by lottery. They range in composition from a single young professional, to a single mom supporting her three children, to a family of five surviving on one income because the cost of childcare for three young children outweighs a second income.
“I saw applying for a Habitat house as my one hope; it’s a dream come true,” said Chloe L. When asked why she applied, she repsonded: “I’m hoping that this house is a building block that will set me up for success and will put me in the right direction.” Chloe already feels a part of the community because she graduated from Hamilton-Wenham High School as a choice student.
The development consists of five duplexes, with each unit having between 1 and 3 bedrooms, and is on a scale appropriate for the community. All four of the “Phase 1” homes should be ready for occupancy sometime this summer, and the six “Phase 2” homes are currently under construction.
The project came about when the former owner of the property contacted the Hamilton Affordable Housing Trust about selling the property. Trust officials had been impressed by the work Habitat for Humanity had just completed on two affordable single-family homes in town, and the partnership was born.
The Affordable Housing Trust helps create affordable housing in Hamilton by acting as a facilitator. Its mission is to help developers, like Habitat for Humanity, create affordable housing and to contribute financially to support the construction of projects that will benefit and be appropriate for the town. Its support also sends a message to state and federal partners that the town is behind a project and additional support would help make it a reality. By increasing Hamilton’s affordable housing stock with this development, the town facilitates creating homes that are needed, in a way that fits into the local community.
When someone invests time and energy in helping to build their own home, they are even more invested in the property and their community. We are proud to welcome these families to Hamilton, and we are proud to support this developement.
The community can get involved in this project by volunteering on the building site or by donating financially to help build the homes. As one example, the Hamilton-Wenham Regional School District arranged for some of its high school students to volunteer their time to help in the construction of some of the Phase 1 homes, an experience that school officials said benefited everyone involved. At this time, volunteers are particularly needed to finish the interiors of the Phase 1 units. Interested individuals can register at: https://www.essexcountyhabitat.org/volunteer-registration/. Make sure to sign up for the Hamilton building site.