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Massachusetts Housing Investment Corporation
Abby’s House – Worcester, Massachusetts

In September 2019, a grand opening was held to celebrate the preservation and renovation of a historic building on High St. in Worcester that is home to Abby’s House, the largest provider of supportive housing for women in Worcester, Mass. The project was financed with equity from federal and state LIHTCs and federal and state historic tax credits. MHIC provided $6.7 million in federal low-income and historic tax credit financing as well as a $175,000 line of credit to fund a portion of the project’s operating reserve.

Abby’s House opened its doors in 1976 as one of the first overnight shelters for women in the U.S. Since then, the nonprofit has helped more than 13,000 women and their children get back on their feet. With a focus on case management, the nonprofit provides shelter, affordable housing, as well as advocacy and support services to homeless, abused, and low-income women and their children.

Over time, Abby’s House acquired three residential buildings and its flagship property at 52 High St., built in 1910, which houses 56 single room occupancy units, administrative offices, multipurpose program space, a commercial kitchen and a thrift store that is open to the public and which contributes to Abby’s House operating income.

The Abby’s House project included renovation and expansion of the SRO units, new kitchens and laundry facilities on each floor, new or upgraded systems, exterior and façade improvements, a new accessible entrance, a new commercial kitchen, an elevator, and window replacements among other critically needed improvements. The project transformed Abby’s house into a modern facility, equipped to help an even greater number of women who call Abby’s House home.