AG Healey Tours Property in Worcester Rehabbed Through Office’s Abandoned Housing Initiative

AHI Currently Works with 110 Cities and Towns in Massachusetts

WORCESTER – (RealEstateRama) — As part of her office’s ongoing efforts to improve quality of life, economic revitalization, and public safety in Massachusetts neighborhoods, Attorney General Maura Healey today toured a Worcester property rehabilitated through her Abandoned Housing Initiative (AHI).

AG Healey toured the property today at 175 Lincoln Street, referred to the AG’s Office in 2015 after being vacant for approximately two years, with Worcester City Manager Edward Augustus, Jr., Dominick Marcigliano, Executive Director of Worcester Community Housing Resources, Inc., and other local officials. The tour was led by Michael Luby of Crossfire Construction, LLC, the receiver of the property who was appointed by the court and given authority to take appropriate actions to bring the property back up to code.

“In the wake of the foreclosure crisis, communities across the state are still dealing with blighted properties,” said AG Healey. “Through the Abandoned Housing Initiative, we work with municipalities to rehabilitate these properties to boost neighborhoods and economic development. I want to thank the City of Worcester and Worcester Community Housing Resources, Inc. who have helped us to rehabilitate this and other properties throughout Worcester.”

In 2015, the Worcester property had serious safety concerns, including a collapsing retaining wall that was obstructing the sidewalk, and a severely deteriorated exterior staircase and roof. The AG’s Office went to court to have Crossfire Construction, LLC, appointed as receiver to repair the property. Once appointed, Crossfire utilized grant money made available through the AG’s Office and administered by Worcester Community Housing Resources, Inc. to bring the property back up to code.

The Attorney General’s Office continues to assist local communities in mitigating the impacts of the foreclosure crisis through AHI. AHI seeks out delinquent owners of distressed or abandoned residential properties and to have them bring those homes back into compliance with the State Sanitary Code. If an owner fails, refuses, or cannot be located, then AHI can petition the Court to appoint a receiver to complete the needed repairs, with a lien placed on the home for the value of the work. The receiver is then compensated when the property is sold.

AHI currently works with 110 cities and towns in Massachusetts and there are currently more than 400 active abandoned properties in the program.

This project was handled by Assistant Attorney General Monica Passeno of the AG’s AHI program with assistance from Nathan Gardner, Program Manager for AHI, Ann Refolo, Assistant City Solicitor for the City of Worcester, Amanda Wilson, Director of Housing/Health Inspections for the City of Worcester, and Lee Hall, Chief Sanitary Inspector for the City of Worcester.

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