MEDFORD, Mass.– Medford Housing Authority (MHA) just relocated its operation from Riverside Avenue to 200 Boston Avenue, a newly renovated building within Cummings Properties’ Medford innovation campus.
The 5,300-square-foot facility will house MHA’s administrative, finance, and Section 8 offices during an extensive redevelopment of its Medford Center base.
“Because of the upcoming construction to its existing office, Medford Housing Authority had a tight, hard deadline for its move,” said Cummings leasing director Steve Cusano. “Our unique in-house design and construction resources allow us to deliver even specialized requirements on a deadline.”
Cusano worked directly with MHA director of modernization and procurement Gabriel Ciccariello on the lease. The transaction included a custom buildout of the facility, which was formerly a gym.
Cusano noted that, although unrelated to MHA’s lease, the agency will benefit from a recently completed renovation of the building’s first-floor common area to add a lounge and conference and huddle rooms.
MHA was established to reduce housing insecurity within the local community. The agency develops, administers, and manages subsidized affordable housing for low-income households in Medford.
“Cummings is a mission-driven organization, and it’s very satisfying to partner with like-minded entities such as MHA,” said Cusano. “We’re delighted we could design and deliver a space to meet the immediate needs of this important community organization.”
Although managed by Cummings Properties, the buildings at 200 and 196 Boston Avenue are owned by Cummings Foundation. According to Cusano, 100 percent of the rental profits from the buildings go to the Foundation for philanthropic causes.
Cummings provides space for multiple other municipal, state, and federal entities. Among these entities are Middlesex County Probate and Family Court, Middlesex County Superior Court, Southern Essex District Registry of Deeds, Middlesex Sheriff’s Office, Department of Revenue, and the federal Department of Transportation, Environmental Protection Agency, and Postal Service.
Medford Housing Authority strives to develop and manage safe, good quality, affordable housing for low-income individuals and families in a manner that promotes citizenship, community, and self-reliance. The Medford Housing Authority portfolio consists of 840 public housing units city-wide and among eight developments, 987 Housing Choice Vouchers, and 15 Massachusetts Rental Vouchers. The MHA also owns a Special Needs Housing development.
