BOSTON–As Massachusetts continues to face an urgent and complex housing affordability crisis, one organization has become a beacon of leadership, vision, and execution: Affordable Housing and Services Collaborative, Inc. (AHSC).
This year, AHSC is being honored as the 2025 Housing Champion of the Year for its outstanding contributions to creating, preserving, and enhancing affordable housing across the Commonwealth.
Founded in 2001, AHSC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that has been a quiet powerhouse in the affordable housing ecosystem. Working at the intersection of development, finance, and social services, AHSC has delivered more than 3,000 affordable housing units through more than 40 complex real estate projects—from new construction to adaptive reuse to critical preservation work. These efforts aren’t just about buildings—they’re about stability, dignity, and opportunity for the thousands of Massachusetts residents who call AHSC communities home.
A Mission Rooted in Impact
AHSC’s approach is grounded in partnership—bringing together public and private entities to leverage funding, coordinate services, and ensure long-term affordability for a wide range of populations: low-income seniors, working families, formerly homeless veterans, and individuals with disabilities. The organization’s holistic vision prioritizes not just housing access, but quality of life—supporting residents through wellness, vocational training, social programming, and more.
In the past year alone, AHSC has celebrated several milestone projects:
- Walnut Knoll in Foxborough: A two-phase, 200-unit senior housing development—the first of its kind in a town long lacking affordable options for older adults. Phase 1, with 141 units, is nearing completion; Phase 2, with 59 more units, is fully funded and set to begin in 2026.
- Prospect Estates in Webster: A historic rehabilitation of 25 affordable family units in two 19th-century former school buildings. AHSC led a sensitive, occupied renovation that preserved affordability while improving quality of life for existing residents.
- Columbia West and Uphams Corner in Dorchester: AHSC acquired and revitalized two distressed properties totaling 91 units, delivering a financially sustainable turnaround through occupied re-syndication—all without displacing residents.
These are just a few examples of how AHSC fulfills its mission to not only build housing, but to protect it, preserve it, and evolve it in response to shifting economic and social needs.
Visionary Leadership: Michael Mattos
At the heart of AHSC’s success is Michael J. Mattos, a seasoned affordable housing professional who has served as President and Executive Director since 2013. With a background that spans municipal planning, public policy, real estate finance, and nonprofit leadership, Mattos brings a uniquely integrated perspective to the organization’s work.
Mattos oversees the day-to-day operations of AHSC and personally engages in the project management, permitting, and financing of complex real estate transactions involving federal and state Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, Historic Tax Credits, public grants, and private equity. Under his leadership, AHSC has grown its asset portfolio to over $390 million, making it one of the state’s most capable and trusted nonprofit housing developers.
His project portfolio includes major developments such as:
- The Charlestown, a 48-unit conversion to assisted living in Boston
- Powdermill Village, a 248-unit preservation project in Westfield
- Walker School, a 40-unit senior and disabled housing community in Taunton
- 98 Essex, a 62-unit TOD adaptive reuse project in Haverhill
Prior to joining AHSC, Mattos served in several key roles across the public and private sectors:
- Director of Real Estate Development at the Taunton Housing Authority, where he managed the agency’s $22 million HOPE VI revitalization initiative
- Community Development Director for the City of Taunton, overseeing HUD-funded CDBG and HOME programs
- Vice President of Community Development for MassDevelopment, managing Brownfields and infrastructure investments in Southeastern Massachusetts
- Project and development roles at Peabody Properties, Inc. and EA Fish Development, where he contributed to the successful delivery of over a dozen housing developments
Mattos holds a Bachelor of Science from Bridgewater State University and a Master’s degree in Regional Planning from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Beyond his professional work, he is deeply involved in civic life—serving as Chairman of the Dartmouth Housing Authority, an elected Town Meeting member, and a member of the Dartmouth Community Preservation Committee.
A Growth-Oriented, Mission-Driven Future
AHSC’s strategic growth plan includes a strong pipeline of new developments and preservation efforts. Three projects are expected to complete construction this year, with others lined up through 2028. The organization continues to prioritize partnerships, acquisition of struggling assets, and joint ventures that expand its reach while staying focused on its mission.
“We’re always looking at where we can do the most good—where the housing need is most urgent, and where our experience can really make a difference,” says Mattos.
A Champion, In Every Sense of the Word
In a region where affordability is increasingly out of reach for too many, Affordable Housing and Services Collaborative stands as a powerful example of what’s possible when mission and execution meet. Whether through innovation in development, leadership in preservation, or unwavering commitment to its residents, AHSC has proven that affordable housing is not just a policy issue—it’s a human one.
Congratulations to AHSC and Michael Mattos, the 2025 Housing Champion of the Year—building more than housing. Building lasting impact.
