$5.74M to fund large-scale renovation at Greenfield’s Winslow Building

The Winslow Building on Wells Street in Greenfield received nearly $5.74 million from the state’s Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities.

The Winslow Building on Wells Street in Greenfield received nearly $5.74 million from the state’s Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

By ANTHONY CAMMALLERI

Staff Writer

Published: 06-19-2025 3:19 PM

GREENFIELD — An affordable housing complex on Wells Street is in line for a large-scale renovation, thanks to nearly $5.74 million in state grant funding.

The Winslow Building, managed by the Greenfield Housing Authority, features 55 income-restricted apartments that mainly house the elderly and people with disabilities.

“We’re really looking forward to seeing this work completed,” said Susan Worgaftik, who serves on the Greenfield Housing Authority’s board of commissioners. “This is something we’ve been planning for more than a year and we’re excited to see it get done.”

Greenfield Housing Authority Executive Director Jack Redman said the building at 9 Wells St. saw its last significant renovations in 2010 through the state’s Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program. Since then, he said the housing authority has simply “put a Band-Aid” on some of the Winslow Building’s structural issues, such as the elevator’s hydraulic system, roof, heating system and windows.

“Most importantly, the elevator is in need of full repair. The hydraulic equipment that was originally installed has failed multiple times over the last few years. We just did a repair a few months ago and that’s going to last us for just under another year before it will have to be replaced again,” Redman explained. “These buildings often require repair, and without grants of this size, it’s really hard for us to be able to maintain it as affordable development.”

Originally opened in November 1917 as the Mohawk Chambers, the Winslow Building became the Hotel Winslow in 1927, the Stearns Hotel in the 1940s and HARCO Rooms in 1950. Richard Braff purchased it in 1965 and the Winslow Building Management Limited Partnership bought it in September 2007, transforming the building from a rooming house with 38 rooms to the 55-unit affordable housing facility it is today.

The Greenfield Housing Authority is expected to issue a request for proposals for the project this summer, Redman said. In addition to replacing components of the building’s elevator system, the $5.74 million grant, which is administered through the state’s Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, will be used to repave the parking lot, add new sidewalks and install a ramp. The grant will also fund common area renovations, a new roof, and repairs to the stone foundation for better waterproofing and to improve energy efficiency.

The grant award was among a total $40 million that is being distributed to eight supportive housing developments statewide. Supportive housing is housing that offers easy access to services, such as health care, mental health or addiction treatment to help support older adults, those transitioning out of chronic homelessness or other vulnerable people.

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“Every investment in supportive housing is a long-term investment in the community and its residents,” Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll said in a statement. “These incredibly important projects will provide affordable housing and services for Massachusetts residents across the state.”

“Supportive housing is more than just a permanent home,” Ed Augustus, secretary of housing and livable communities, said in a statement. “Today’s $40 million investment will not only help build new housing across the state, but the on-site services included in these developments will help residents maintain happy, healthy and independent lives.”

Beyond physical improvements, the operating budget for the Winslow Building’s repairs will also expand services to support long-term housing stability for tenants who have experienced chronic homelessness or have special needs. This will include partnering with local agencies to offer monthly support groups and train resident leaders to moderate peer-led groups.

“[The Winslow Building’s tenants] are a mix of elderly and disabled, but the one thing in common is that all of the occupants have been homeless at some point. Some of them need assistance transitioning from being homeless to having an apartment or a home, either again or for the first time. The level of needs for assistance is higher than some of the other housing authority-owned properties,” Redman said. “We are so grateful to the Healey-Driscoll administration and the staff at EOHLC for working on this. We are excited to continue improving the physical condition of the Winslow, but also we’re excited to add some additional services for our existing residents to make sure that the Winslow is the best place for them to continue living.”

Anthony Cammalleri can be reached at acammalleri@recorder.com or 413-930-4429.