WESTFORD — An affordable housing project on Boston Road is nearing the finish line on several apartment units slated to open to renters in early 2025.
The Drew Farmhouse, Inc. has begun a ‘Giving Tree’ fundraiser to raise the final $100,000 to complete the $2.8 million project.
A tree was painted on the barn door of the property by Westford artist Alice Phalen, a former Parish Center for the Arts Artist of the Month who also serves as the co-chair of the Westford Regional Art Event, a collection of over 500 pieces from area artists.
Each donation to the nonprofit through the end of January will be matched by an anonymous supporter up to $100,000. An additional apple will be painted on the tree for each contribution.
The project received $1.45 million in Community Preservation Act funding from a 2023 Special Town Meeting and $257,000 in donations from residents and businesses.
Coldwell Banker previously occupied the 1860s farmhouse before the brokerage opted to sell the property to the nonprofit after the Zoning Board of Appeals unanimously approved a special permit and use variance for the project during a May 17, 2023 hearing.
The property will consist of five ‘workforce’ units, affordable units where a single renter must make between $66,000 and $96,250 and a household of four must make $137,500 or less to qualify.
Two additional condominiums will be renovated and sold to eligible families by Habitat for Humanity of Greater Lowell.
Though renovations are primarily funded through the CPA, as only WestfordCAT reported in January, the project is using Westford-based contractors, aiming to keep the money within the town.
Donations may be made online or via check, addressed to The Drew Farmhouse, Inc. and mailed to P.O. Box 391 Westford, MA 01886.
