““The YWCA of Central Massachusetts has been an outstanding community partner to the City of Worcester and our local union movement. Being able to bring labor’s capital to the table to transform this downtown landmark strengthens our collective efforts to rebuild our city. Doing so with a commitment to significant female workforce participation makes it an even more powerful statement.””
YWCA of Central Massachusetts - Worcester, MA
Allocation: $9.0M | TDC: $24.9M | Union Construction Jobs: 94 | Permanent Jobs: 150 | Total SF: 74,300
Building America CDE, a subsidiary of the AFL-CIO Housing Investment Trust, allocated $9 million of New Markets Tax Credits (“NMTC”) to the YWCA of Central Massachusetts (“YWCA”) for the renovation of their 74,300 square foot downtown Worcester facility. By renovating the existing building rather than relocating, the YWCA is allowed to carry on its critical mission of providing shelter and support as well as tools for self-sufficiency to a highly diverse local population.
The Worcester facility is a historic structure built in 1961, and suffering from significant deferred maintenance. The renovation project will include a complete overhaul of the building’s exterior and interior while allowing the YWCA to: increase childcare programming by one classroom and 10 seats; add 4 transitional housing beds; provide separate and secure access to their domestic violence service area; and, fortify and expand the various high-quality services they provide to low-income families in Worcester.
The project will be renovated with 100% union labor and will have an all-female construction management team. It will generate 187,620 hours of union construction work and $7.2 million in local, state and federal tax revenues.