Citizens of Waltham have a new opportunity as 53 new affordable housing units are opening to the public. Alexan Waltham is a new housing development next to the Wayside Walk and Bike Trail and half a mile from the Waltham Commuter Rail Station. The development is home to amenities such as “a large clubhouse with a resort-style pool and sun deck, a modern fitness/wellness center, bike storage, dog park and pet walking stations. This project will offer residents either surface or covered parking,” according to the SEB Housing website. 

The development has 210 units in total, meaning that 25% of the development is a part of the affordable housing initiative, a reflection of The Affordable Homes Act. This act was signed into law on Aug. 6 by Massachusetts Governor Maura Healy. A lottery for the lease of these units will take place via Zoom on March 4. Applications to be entered into the lottery are currently available and will be open until Feb. 17 at 2 p.m.

Eligibility for these units is calculated based on the area median income of Waltham and how the salaries of individuals compare. There are two different types of units available through this lottery, the first of which is 60% AMI units. The maximum household income limits for these units are $68,520 for one person, $78,360 for two people, $88,140 for three people, $97,920 for four people, $105,780 for five people and $113,640 for six people. There are three different types of apartments available under the 60% AMI category, and the rent for these is $1,741 for a one bedroom, $2,080 for a two bedroom and $2,395 for a three bedroom. Of the 53 affordable units, 14 of them fall under the 60% AMI category.

The second category of available apartments through this lottery is 80% AMI units, with the other 39. The maximum household income limits for these apartments are $91,200 for one person, $104,200 for two people, $117,250 for three people, $130,250 for four people, $140,700 for five people and $151,100 for six people. There are four different types of 80% AMI units, and the rent price for those is a studio for $2,200, a one bedroom for $2,347, a two bedroom for $2,808 and a three bedroom for $3,235.

In addition to rent, tenants of these apartments are required to pay for their own electricity. However, the costs of water and sewer are included in the cost of rent. Pets are allowed subject to restrictions in these apartments and each unit comes with a parking space. Second parking spaces for the two and three bedroom units may also be available. 

These apartments are expected to be ready for occupancy in March of 2025. When the leases for these units are up for renewal in 2026, there is the possibility of changes in rent. According to the information packet provided to interested parties, “Rents may increase if Boston-Cambridge-Quincy Area Median Income increases or the costs of utilities in Waltham decreases. Likewise, if the Boston-Cambridge-Quincy Area Median Income decreases and the costs of utilities increase, rents may decrease.” Additionally, there is the possibility for changes in rent if tenants increase their salaries by lease renewal. If tenants no longer fall within the AMI percentage that they originally qualified for, their rent will return to the market price.

Individuals with no income are not qualified for these units unless they have a Section Eight housing voucher or a mrvp voucher. This affordable housing falls under the 40B statute, “a program created by the State of Massachusetts which allows developers to override local zoning bylaws in order to increase the number of affordable homes in municipalities where less than 10% of the housing is defined as affordable.” In correspondence with The Justice on Jan. 22, SEB Housing Senior Project Manager David Cashman explained “40B provides a pathway for the development of apartments or homeownership units that are affordable to households making up to 80% of Area Median Income. This results in thousands of households across the Commonwealth, who may otherwise be priced out of their communities, to stay within these communities, often in brand new buildings with state of the art amenities. We believe that this program helps to foster economic diversity within Massachusetts communities.”

Alexan Waltham isn’t the first development in the area with affordable units. The Currents on the Charles development fall under 40B as well, having units available for those who fall into the 80% AMI category. In addition to these affordable housing developments, Waltham has other resources for those in need of housing assistance. For example, The Waltham Housing Authority “provides low-income families, seniors and people with disabilities the opportunity to live in safe, decent, affordable and accessible housing. The WHA works in partnership with the City of Waltham, the Massachusetts Department of Housing & Community Development, HUD and local community organizations to support and promote the health, welfare and economic independence of WHA residents and to sustain a diverse and productive population in the Waltham Community.” 

A Zoom information session regarding the Alexan Waltham lottery took place on Jan. 16 at 4 p.m. Attendance at this session was not required for entry, and a recording was posted on the SEB Housing YouTube channel. The lottery will take place on March 4, at 6 p.m. on Zoom. Those involved in the lottery are not required to attend the Zoom meeting and will be notified after if selected. 

Following the selection, the individuals chosen will have five days to schedule an appointment with the leasing office and complete their leasing application. This will lead to a leasing eligibility screening which consists of things such as a criminal background check, rental history and credit check. In the information session it was stated that “the number of households screened by the leasing office may exceed the number of available units.” Following the eligibility screening, the top household on the waiting list will be allowed to pick the affordable unit of their choice. Then, tenants will have to submit their “supporting income, asset and tax documentation to SEB Housing for program eligibility screening.” Following this screening, SEB will notify both the household members and the leasing office of program eligibility. Once a resident has found themselves both program and lease eligible, they are free to sign a lease and inform their current landlord.