Assembly Row Affordable Housing lottery application deadline, August 8

On July 30, 2013, in Latest News, by The Somerville Times

56 affordable apartments at AVA Somerville and Avalon at Assembly Row available through lottery

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Two new housing complexes at Assembly Square, AVA Somerville and Avalon at Assembly Row, will hold a lottery for 56 affordable apartments, with applications due on Thursday, August 8, 2013, by 5 p.m.

Applications can be picked up at Avalon at Assembly Row’s Leasing Trailer located at 74 Foley St. in Assembly Square and should be returned to the same location by 5 p.m. on August 8. Applicants must meet income guidelines to be eligible for the lottery. Applicants who live or work full-time in Somerville, and applicants on the Somerville Housing Authority waitlist will receive preference. If the applicant is claiming a preference, they will need to provide additional documents along with their application.

The affordable units at AVA Somerville and Avalon at Assembly Row offer two options for eligibility: either for those earning up to 50 percent of the area median income or for those earning up to 80 percent of the area median income. Occupancy requirements are 1-2 residents for studios, 1-3 residents for 1 bedroom units, 2-5 residents for 2-bedroom units and 3-6 residents for 3-bedroom units. Rents and corresponding income ranges are:

Units available for households earning up to 50 percent of area median income

Units available for households earning up to 80 percent of area median income

Studio — Rent: $664

1 person: income $15,936 – $33,050
2 people: joint income $15,936 – $37,800

Studio — Rent $843

1 person: income $20,232 – $47,150
2 people: joint income $20,232 – $53,900

1 Bedroom — Rent: $657

1 person: income $15,768 – $33,050
2 people: joint income $15,768 – $37,800
3 people: household income $15,768 – $42,500

2 Bedroom — Rent: $761

Household income:

2 people: $18,264 – $37,800
3 people: $18,264 – $42,500
4 people: $18,264 – $47,200
5 people: $18,264 – $51,000

1 Bedroom — Rent: $896

1 person: income $21,504 – $47,150
2 people: joint income $21,504 – $53,900
3 people: household income$21,504 – $60,650

2 Bedroom — Rent: $1,068

Household income:

2 people: $25,632 – $53,900
3 people: $25,632 – $60,650
4 people: $25,632 – $67,350
5 people: $25,632 – $72,750

3 Bedroom — Rent: $1,190 (Avalon at Assembly Row only)Household income:

3 people: $28,650 – $60,650
4 people: $28,650 – $67,350
5 people: $28,650 – $72,750
6 people: $28,650 – $78,150

The lottery itself will be held on Friday, August 16, 2013, at J. F. Kennedy Elementary School, 5 Cherry St. beginning at 10:15 a.m. You need not be present at the lottery, but are welcome to attend. Applicants chosen in the lottery on August 16 will receive a letter letting them know what number they are on the list in the following weeks. Once your placement has been determined in the lottery you will be notified via mail. Applicants chosen in the lottery must first be determined to be income-eligible. You will be advised what income documentation you will need to provide and the timeline for submission.

“As Assembly Square transforms into Somerville’s newest neighborhood, it’s important that we continue expanding the availability of permanently affordable housing units in the city,” Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone said. “Everyone should be able to live in walkable, bikeable and transit-oriented neighborhoods. The building of these affordable apartments helps us realize that goal and is another step toward our long-term goal of creating 1,200 permanently affordable housing units citywide that will help us attract and retain Somerville’s best asset: its people.”

“Somerville is a city open to all and creating affordable housing for both newcomers and long-time residents who want to stay in the city is critical to maintaining the diversity that we all love about our city,” Ward 1 Alderman Maureen Bastardi said. “I’m excited that these units are becoming available in Assembly Square and look forward to welcoming Ward 1’s newest residents over the next year.”

Apartments will be offered over the next several months as they are completed from October 2013 through June 2014 and when residents receive an offer, they must respond within 7-10 days. When offered an apartment, residents must contact the leasing office to leave a security deposit of $500 and once credit is approved, will need to complete an interview checklist and submit necessary documents to establish income eligibility.

To obtain an application or additional information about the affordable housing lottery at AVA Somerville and Avalon at Assembly Row, contact Avalon Bay at Phone: 855-211-8154, MABlueSkies@AvalonBay.com or visit the Leasing office at 74 Foley St., Somerville in Assembly Square. Mailing address for applications is Avalon at Assembly Row, P.O. Box 45377, Somerville, MA 02145.