Housing Toolbox for Massachusetts Communities

Complete Neighborhoods Technical Assistance

This program aims to advance the development of complete neighborhoods across the Commonwealth.  A “complete neighborhood” is a place where access to economic opportunities and proximity to essential services and amenities are all organized at a human scale. These areas emphasize a strong connection between housing, jobs and education while prioritizing transit-oriented development and multi-modal infrastructure, such as walking, bicycling and public transit, over automobile dependence.  To achieve this, the Complete Neighborhoods Technical Assistance Program provides in-kind technical assistance to communities, nonprofit and for-profit developers to advance the production of affordable housing developments near transit and in densely developed areas.

Budget and Schedule: The program will provide technical assistance awards of up to $50,000 per project. Services will be performed by MHP staff and/or third-party consultants. No direct funds will be awarded to selected communities.

Selection Process: Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis once the online application portal opens. Technical assistance awards are dependent on the completeness of the application, alignment with program goals, readiness to proceed, and availability of funds.

Eligibility: Municipalities, nonprofit, and for-profit developers are eligible to apply for technical assistance. Non-municipal applicants must submit proof of site control, municipal support for the project, and a demonstrated experience in developing affordable multifamily housing. Program funds can support the following activities:

  • Planning and Zoning: Zoning policy development, neighborhoods or transit area plans, district master plans
  • Community Engagement: Visioning exercises, public forums, training
  • Predevelopment: Public land disposition assistance, concept planning and scenario testing, architectural test fits, site constraints analysis and due diligence
  • Financial: Pro forma analysis, market analysis, construction cost estimates

MHP Community Assistance staff will provide support throughout the program.

Past Projects:

Since the Spring of 2022, 14 municipalities have received assistance through the Complete Neighborhoods Program to advance planning and housing projects that support or create complete neighborhoods in their communities. Examples of this past work includes:

The Kelly Boulevard Area Plan was a joint effort between Plainville and North Attleboro to reimagine a largely auto-oriented commercial corridor. Informed by zoning analysis and community engagement, the plan identified growth opportunities and recommended zoning and transportation improvements to support future development. At Town Meeting in May of 2026, Plainville implemented recommendations of the plan by voting to approve zoning amendments that allow for mixed-use and multifamily housing by right in the Route 152 and Route 106 area.

Montague City Village Center Vision focused on the redevelopment of the former Farren Care Center, a town-owned 8-acre site that is served by transit and the regional bike network in Montague City. The Village Center visioning work was used to inform the development of comprehensive zoning amendments for the site. These zoning amendments were adopted at Town Meeting in 2025. The Town has further built on this work by applying for a HousingWorks grant in 2026 and plans to issue an RFP for the redevelopment on the site in the fall of 2026.

1061 Pleasant Street is an ongoing effort to redevelop a historic building within a newly created transit-oriented development district near a new South Coast Rail station in New Bedford. The project will create 20 units of housing, including 16 affordable units. It received support for key predevelopment activities such as environmental assessments, historic tax credit applications, site surveying, and architectural design. The project is fully permitted and is currently pursuing funding with an anticipated construction start in 2027.

176 Main Street is a redevelopment project that began with technical assistance to explore adding housing to a two-story commercial property located in downtown Greenfield. The resulting concept plans and cost estimates proved that this type of redevelopment was feasible but might be best achieved with the partnership of a developer skilled in the development of affordable housing. As a result, the owner of the property partnered with Rural Development, Inc to advance the project. It is expected to create 32 units of mixed-income housing and is anticipated to be completed in spring 2028.

More information: For more information or questions about the Complete Neighborhoods Technical Assistance Program, contact MHP Senior Planner, Ashley Eaton.

Complete Neighborhoods 2026 Program Kickoff Webinar

An informational webinar about the Complete Neighborhoods Technical Assistance Program was hosted in the fall of 2026. If you were unable to attend, you can download the presentation slides and FAQ.