Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces 88 New Homes in Bridgewater, Bedford and Brockton through State Land for Homes Initiative

Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces 88 New Homes in Bridgewater, Bedford and Brockton through State Land for Homes Initiative 

Projects will transform underutilized state properties into new housing near transit, downtowns and educational institutions 

BRIDGEWATER/BEDFORD— The Healey-Driscoll Administration is advancing plans for 88 new homes in Bridgewater, Bedford and Brockton through its State Land for Homes initiative. The Massachusetts Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM), in consultation with the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC), has selected development teams to build 53 new homes on surplus state-owned properties in Bridgewater and Bedford. The administration also recently completed the sale of a former state-owned property in Brockton that is expected to be redeveloped into 35 new homes. 

 

Together, these projects will create housing near downtowns, transit and educational institutions while putting underutilized public land back to productive use. Since launching in June 2025, the Healey-Driscoll Administration's State Land for Homes initiative has advanced plans for more than 5,600 housing units across nearly 700 acres of state-owned land in 33 Massachusetts communities. 

 

"Massachusetts needs more housing to lower costs, and we're using every tool we have to get more homes built,” said Governor Maura Healey. “These projects will create 88 new homes in Bridgewater, Bedford and Brockton and help more people afford to live in the communities they love. We're taking underused state property and turning it into housing for families, workers and young people because we know the best way to lower costs is to increase housing production." 

 

"Every new housing development makes a difference for the families looking for a place to live and the communities working to grow,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “These projects will bring new homes to three communities, support local economic development and help address our housing shortage. That's exactly the kind of partnership we need to make Massachusetts more affordable." 

 

In Bridgewater, DCAMM has provisionally selected Churchill James to redevelop a 1.6-acre surplus parcel at 106 Hale Street near Bridgewater State University, producing 28 new homes, 10 percent of which will be deed-restricted affordable units to households at or below 80 percent Area Median Income (AMI). The site is located in an MBTA Communities district and is within walking distance of downtown Bridgewater, the commuter rail station and the university campus. With a 77-unit mixed-use development on nearby Broad Street already under construction, Churchill James has established strong ties to the community and brings significant experience in multifamily and mixed-use housing development. The developer is actively working with the Town of Bridgewater to ensure adequate water service for both projects.  

 

“Bridgewater State University is excited about the selection of Churchill James to develop our former property at 106 Hale Street Bridgewater for housing,” said Bridgewater State University President Fred Clark. “Utilizing the Healey-Driscoll administration’s Affordable Homes Act, BSU is proud that our former property will be one of the first chosen for redevelopment under the Act’s surplus property initiative. The redevelopment of 106 Hale Street will clean up a blighted former industrial parcel, create high-quality workforce housing, further connect the University to Bridgewater’s Downtown and create new property tax revenue for the Town.”  

 

In Bedford, DCAMM has provisionally selected Boston Communities to redevelop a five-acre surplus parking lot owned by Middlesex Community College into 25 duplex-style homes. Twenty percent of the homes will be deed-restricted affordable units. Boston Communities also plans to offer the market-rate units at a comparatively lower price for the Bedford market, consistent with the town's goals of expanding starter home opportunities. 

 

“Bedford applauds DCAMM and the Healey-Driscoll Administration's efforts and work to increase housing production on surplus land,” said Bedford Town Manager Matt Hanson. “We are pleased by the selection of Boston Communities, whose proposal goes above and beyond when it comes to deed-restricted, affordable units. This type of development helps provide modest-sized, newly constructed housing and will expand home ownership options and opportunities in Bedford. We look forward to working with them on this project.”  

 

The Bridgewater and Bedford projects were selected through competitive processes that prioritized speed to production of high-quality housing units. Together, the developments will create 53 new homes while returning underutilized state-owned properties to productive use. 

 

“State Land for Homes is helping communities unlock the potential of underutilized public land to create the housing Massachusetts residents need,” said Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Juana Matias. “Across the commonwealth, we have identified state-owned sites with the potential to support more than 5,600 homes, and communities like Bridgewater, Bedford and Brockton are demonstrating what is possible when state and local partners work together. By putting public land to work, we can create new homes, strengthen local economies, and expand housing opportunities near jobs, transit, schools, and downtowns.” 

 

“Bridgewater and Bedford represent two strong examples of how communities can collaborate constructively to leverage state-owned land to address housing needs,” said DCAMM Commissioner Adam Baacke. “These developments will create new homes in locations that are connected to jobs, education, recreation and local businesses, while reflecting community priorities and expanding municipal tax bases.” 

 

In addition to these developer selections, DCAMM closed on the sale of 36 Main Street in Brockton to New Vision Enterprise LLC on June 3, paving the way for permitting and construction to begin. The property will return to the city's tax rolls and is expected to be redeveloped into 35 rental homes, including units affordable to households earning at or below 80 percent AMI. 

 

These projects build on the Healey-Driscoll Administration's broader efforts to increase housing production, lower costs, and create more opportunities for residents to live, work and raise a family in Massachusetts.