MILLBROOK LOFTS Developed by Berkeley Investments In Cooperation with the City of Somerville
INFORMATION AND APPLICATION PACKAGE Property Description MILLBROOK LOFTS There are fifteen (15) affordable rental units that are available to qualifying low to moderate-income households at affordable prices through the City s Inclusionary Housing Program. These 15 rental units are part of a 100 unit complex located at 9 and 39 Medford Street in Somerville MA near Twin City Plaza. Five of the 15 affordable units are artist live/work space for certified income eligible artists. The development has modern finishes and boasts 10-12 foot ceilings and abundant windows that stretch up to 8 feet. There is a roof top deck with sprawling city views set amidst a living green roof feature. The building also has 24 hour emergency maintenance and online resident accounts for paying rent, requests and more. There is a common studio space as well that is available. For specific information about the development and units, you can visit the website at www.millbrooklofts.com. Artist Live/Work Space Units - 5 3 one bedroom units at 50% Area Median Income 1 one-bedroom unit (handicap accessible) at 80% Area Median Income 1 two-bedroom unit at 50% Area Median Income Other Affordable Non-Artist Live/Work Space Units - 10 3 one-bedroom units at 50% Area Median Income 4 one-bedroom units at 80% Area Median Income 1 two-bedroom at 50% Area Median Income 2 two-bedroom at 80% Area Median Income Preference is given to applicants on the Somerville Housing Authority waitlist (and must provide documentation from the Somerville Housing Authority) or those households who currently live or work full time in Somerville. For those households that live or work full time in Somerville, residency documentation can include a copy of a current utility bill, voter registration, a copy of a current lease, or a paystub. Documentation of working full time in Somerville can include a paystub or a letter from your employer. Applicants for the live/work space must have Somerville Arts Council Certification Letter. Applicants must provide documentation at time of application.
MORE ON ARTIST CERTIFICATION An Artist Certificate is a confirmation from the City of Somerville that an artist has been reviewed by a committee of peers and is certified as a working artist. An Artist Certificate qualifies an artist, for a period of three years, as eligible for artist spaces. Upon expiration, an artist will need to seek new certification. Who is eligible for an artist certification: Any artist who can demonstrate to a committee of peers that they have a recent body of work as an artist. Who Evaluates the Artist Certification Applications: Each application and related attachments is presented to a peer review committee. The committee is comprised of Somerville artists and arts professionals who have been nominated to serve in this capacity. To make a nomination contact Gregory Jenkins (contact information listed below). No one who is applying for a unit may serve on this committee. The peer review committee primary task is to confirm whether each applicant has demonstrated that s/he is a working artist. Applicants will not be judged based on the aesthetics of their work but rather their commitment and activity of work. For more information on the certification and to get the artist certification application, please visit http://somervilleartscouncil.org/certification or visit the Somerville Arts Council at City Hall Annex, 50 Evergreen Avenue, Somerville MA on the first floor. How to apply for an Artist Certification: (Drop off) Full application with support material to: Artist Certification, Somerville Arts Council, 50 Evergreen Ave. Somerville, MA 02145 by 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 17 th 2016 or (Email) Full application with support materials to: artistcertification@gmail.com by 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, February 17 th 2016. For all Artist Certification Questions, please contact: Gregory Jenkins, Director of the Somerville Arts Council, 617-625-6600 ext. 2985; gjenkins@somervillema.gov
Unit Details: Utilities are not included, however, water and sewer is included. Cooking, heating and water heating is all electric. These affordable units do not come with a rental subsidy. If you currently have a rental subsidy you can of course use it for these units however, additional subsidies are not included. For all affordable units, the rent is reduced from market rent. Income Eligibility and Rents: While the city does not set minimum income requirements, applicants must be able to support the rent for the unit and as such, the management has set minimum income requirements which are listed below by bedroom size and Area Median Income. 1 BEDROOM RENTS: 50% Area Median Income: $787 Minimum income requirement: $24,060 80% Area Median Income: $1058 Minimum income requirement: $32,190 2 BEDROOM RENTS: 50% Area Median Income: $934 Minimum income requirement: $28,590 80% Area Median Income: $1262 Minimum income requirement: $38,430 Maximum gross household income limits apply, and are set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The combined annual gross income from all sources for all income-earning members of the household must not exceed 50% or 80% of area median income, based upon the household size, as indicated below: Maximum Annual Income 50% Median 1 Person 2 Person 3 Person 4 Person Income $34,500 $39,400 $44,350 $49,250 Maximum Annual Income 80% Median 1 Person 2 Person 3 Person 4 Person Income $48,800 $55,800 $62,750 $69,700 Therefore, to be eligible for these units, the household gross income must fall between the minimum income guideline set by management and the maximum income limit set by HUD. Applicants selected in the lottery will have an income certification and credit check completed before a lease will be offered. The lease term is for one year. Tenants are subject to the lease requirements, just as any other tenant in the building.
Other Eligibility Requirements: A minimum household of two (2) is required for a two bedroom (2). Final determination for household size eligibility will be made by the Housing Division prior to the lottery. A Family is defined as an individual, or two or more persons related by blood, marriage, or adoption, living together as a single housekeeping unit and occupying one dwelling unit; or a group (but not more than four) or pair of individuals, not so related, but living together as a single housekeeping unit. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age. The head of household cannot be a full time student. Please note you may qualify to enter the lottery for more than one size unit. For example, a household of two may decide to apply for both a one-bedroom and a two-bedroom unit. A certified artist can apply for both the artist live/work space as well as the non-artist affordable units.
Application Deadlines: Artist Certification Application Due Date: Wednesday February 17, 2016 Housing Application Due Date: Wednesday, March 2, 2016 by 4:00 pm to the Housing Division at City Hall Annex, 50 Evergreen Avenue 2nd floor Somerville MA 02145. Must include: - Fully completed 2 page cover sheet and application; - Any verification documentation as applicable to receive a preference Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Recommendation to drop off applications in person rather than via regular mail to ensure receipt by the above noticed deadlines. Open House dates to view the units: Saturday, February 20, 2016 12:00-2:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 24, 2016 6 7:30 p.m.
Lottery Process: Households submitting a complete application prior to the deadline will be screened for eligibility based on the guidelines described above. Applicants will be informed of eligibility for unit size prior to the scheduled lottery drawing. There are three lottery pools. First preference is those who are currently on the Somerville Housing Authority wait list. Second preference is for those who live or work full-time in Somerville. Third preference is all others. For the five (5) artist units, preference will follow as outlined above, however, applicants must submit the artist certification letter from the Somerville Arts Council. Applicants will be selected at random at the lottery and will be numbered in the order they are drawn within their pool. The first applicants drawn for each unit size will have the first opportunity to rent the available units. Applicants will have one (1) week to submit all of their income documents to the City. If they are determined to be ineligible, the second applicant drawn at the lottery for the particular unit size/type will be notified and given one (1) week to submit income documentation. This process will continue until eligible applicants are determined. As mentioned earlier, management will also conduct a standard credit check. Households will have the opportunity, if desired, to appeal an income certification or credit check. The lottery will be held on March 9 th, from 11-12:30 p.m. at the Visiting Nurses Association at 259 Lowell Street, Somerville MA in the 3 rd floor conference room.
Description of Restriction: This opportunity to rent an affordable unit at a significant discount from a market rate unit is being offered through the Somerville s Inclusionary Housing Program. The following is an overview of the most important aspects of the restrictions and is meant for informational purposes only. Principal Residence: The unit must be used as your primary principal residence. Residents of the Units: Only those members listed on the application can occupy the unit. You cannot sublease your unit. Income Eligibility: Income certifications are good for one (1) year. Annual income re-certifications are required in order to continue to lease an affordable unit. You must remain income eligible in order to occupy one of the affordable rental units. o If your household occupies a 50% Area Median Income unit, your household can increase its income up to 140% of 80% of Area Median Income. If your household income increases to 80% of Area Median Income and you wish to remain in the affordable unit, the rent will increase to HUD s High Home Rent. o If your household occupies an 80% Area Median Income unit, your household can increase its income up to 140% of 80% of Area Median Income. If your household income exceeds 140% of 80% of Area Median Income and your household wants to remain in the unit, the rent will increase to the market rate rent for that unit type. For questions regarding the application, eligibility, or the lottery process, please call 617-625-6600 and speak with Kelly Donato at x2560 (kdonato@somervillema.gov) or Seamus Lynch at x2564 (slynch@somervillema.gov).