As the third installment of our series profiling retiring leaders of organizations throughout Central and Western Massachusetts, please take a moment to learn a little about Dominick Marcigliano, who served as Executive Director of Worcester Community Housing Resources from 2012-2020.
We are grateful for his years of service and the impact he has made on the community development movement in Massachusetts and so many individuals in need.
How long did you work in affordable housing development in the Worcester area? What is your best/favorite memory?
Over my twenty-five years of affordable housing development in Worcester County, I worked with CEDAC on a variety of projects that provided homes for a multitude of families and individuals. These households represented a diverse mixture of nationalities and backgrounds, all of whom sought to improve their current living situations but needed assistance to locate decent housing that was affordable and in livable condition. Some were looking to become first-time homebuyers, while others sought to rent an apartment or a shared home. During my tenure as executive director of two community development corporations, I sought to develop the specific types of housing that were needed, but that were lacking within the communities that were being served.
To do this, we either purchased existing buildings and fully renovated them, or acquired property and constructed new homes. Each method called for substantial capital investments, both at the outset and throughout the development process. CEDAC has always been the best source of this type of capital. Generally, they provide the first money into the project, which becomes the foundation for a successful development. They assume the initial risk by providing the funds to complete the pre-development due diligence necessary to ensure that the project is viable and then the construction financing to move the project forward. Their technical assistance is an important component to their package and is often the deciding factor in obtaining an award from other state and federal funding sources.
What projects did you work on with CEDAC?
One of the projects that I completed with CEDAC financing was a group home for potentially homeless adults and clients of the Department of Mental Health. Tenants also had to be clients of Genesis Club, a community center that helps people living with serious mental illness to access employment, safe housing, and education. At the time the late Kevin Bradley, then Executive Director of Genesis Club, discussed the needs of his clients and the gap in available housing to locate them. The CDC decided to search for an existing building of approximately 5000 sq. ft. that it would fully redesign and renovate into ten studio apartments with laundry facilities and additional common space.
The CDC ultimately purchased a city-owned property at auction that was suitably located for this type of home. It was on a major bus route and within walking distance to markets, retail shops, a hospital, and Genesis Club. Once acquired, CEDAC provided the capital for the pre-development testing, engineering, architectural plans and zoning review. A density variance was received and the bidding process was begun.
With the selected contractor and CEDAC early stage financing, the project was completed in a timely manner. The building was fully gutted and refitted with all new plumbing, heating, roofing and electrical systems. Existing windows were enlarged, and others added. The siding was replaced with Hardi-Plank. The outcome was an impressive structure and a welcoming home for ten very grateful residents whose rents were guaranteed to be no greater than 30% of their income or SSI benefit.
The capital and support that CEDAC provided for this endeavor were instrumental in the smooth transition from this project’s concept to its realization.
