First-Time Home Buyer Listing - 68 Units Total
1996 - 25 King Street, 3 units, Details
1996 - 55 King Street, 3 units, Details
1997 - 97 Bellevue Street, 1 unit, Details
1997 - 99 Bellevue Street, 3 units, Details
1997 - 35 Cedar Street, 2 units, Details
1998 - 7 Newbury Street, 2 units, Details
1998 - 9 Quincy Street, 2 units, Details
1999 - 48 King Street, 3 units, Details
2000 - 139 Austin Street, 3 units, Details
2001 - 21 Preston Street, 3 units, Details
2002 - 11 Jacques Avenue, 3 units, Details
2002 - 12 West Street, 3 units, Details
2002 - 19 Bancroft Street, 3 units, Details
2003 - 99 Chatham Street, 1 unit, Details
2003 - 30 Bancroft Street, 3 units, Details
2003 - 22 Bluff Street, 3 units, Details
2004 - 130 Austin Street, 3 units, Details
2004 - 132 Austin Street, 3 units, Details
2004 - 134 Austin Street, 3 units, Details
2005 - 141 Austin Street, 3 units, Details
2005 - 143 Austin Street, 3 units, Details
2005 - 147 Austin Street, 3 units, Details
2005 - 26 Bancroft Street, 3 units, Details
2005 - 17 Preston Street, 3 units, Details

6 Florence Street - Acquired by WCG in 1990 this 8 unit apartment building underwent substantial rehabilitation in and was turned into a limited equity cooperative in the spring of 1991. The property, which was WCG's first co-op, was then converted into rental property in 2000. Moderate rehab of the property was completed in 2004, ensuring the quality maintenance of the property and continued comfort of WCG's tenants.

60 Providence Street - This 6 unit limited equity co-op was developed in collaboration with Oak Hill Community Development Corporation, St. Vincent's Hospital, and Preservation Worcester. Rehab and historic preservation work on the three and four bedroom apartments were completed at the end of 1992. In 2007 WCG-CDC sold this property with affordability covenants.

7-11 Bellevue Street - This 9 unit mixed-use development is the home of Worcester Common Ground. The building was acquired in the summer of 1994 with loans from the City of Worcester's Office of Planning and Community Development and a capital grant from Stoddard Capital Trust. Renovations were completed in November 1994. WCG shares space with other community-based non-profits in order to maximize collective resources. Families and individuals occupy five additional apartments above the offices.

90-94 Chatham Street - Before being acquired by WCG, the properties at the corner of Chatham and Quincy had been abandoned for four years. WCG was awarded a state grant in 1996 for the rehabilitation of the building, as well as the property on 130-132 Austin St. The property was developed into six units of rental housing with off-street parking and completed in 1999.

108 Austin Street

124-128 Canterbury Street - This limited equity co-op was the result of an acquisition of 3 rental properties with 10 rental units in April of 1991. In collaboration with the Institute for Community Economics, the City of Worcester and the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development, rehab on these properties was completed and converted into WCG rental housing in 1999. 124 and 126 are two and three bedroom units, and 128 consists of four one-bedroom units. The exterior grounds were completed with a newly paved driveway area and a landscape along the urban edge.

17-23 Dewey Street - This 12 unit limited equity co-op was the result of an acquisition of four dilapidated Triple-Decker buildings from the FDIC in May of 1991. In collaboration with the Institute for Community Economics, the City of Worcester and the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development, rehab on these properties was completed and converted into WCG rental housing in 2002. All four buildings consist of three bedroom units. The rehab work consisted of new kitchen and bath designs, laundry rooms, new porches; replacement of all windows, vinyl, carpet, painting, Energy Star rated heating systems and a well insulated building to help defray the costly energy bills to WCG's tenants.

98-102 Austin Street - These properties are located within the Crown Hill Historic District, an area that was the focus of substantial neighborhood revitalization efforts starting in 1999. The property at 98 Austin had been abandoned and gutted. It is known by local historians as the Amos White house. In more recent times, it passed through the hands of multiple owners. With their troubled past, both buildings were the focus of many local agencies including the Crown Hill Neighborhood Association, The Austin Street Initiative, Preservation Worcester, City of Worcester Health and Code, City of Worcester Fire Department, City of Worcester Police Department, Worcester Common Ground, Inc. and many concerned individuals. It was also listed on the City of Worcester's Ten-Priority Properties List. Thanks to the support of the Massachusetts Housing Partnership Fund, WCG acquired the two abandoned and distressed properties, and began construction in the winter of 2001. The project was completed in the spring of 2003 and provided nine units of rental housing that were affordable to low income households, including parking for the tenants located across the street at 101 Austin.

133 Chandler Street - This previously abandoned "turn of the century" brick apartment building was acquired by WCG and completed in the spring of 2003. It provides five units of rental housing consisting of four two-bedroom units and a one-bedroom unit in addition to 1000 square feet of retail space for a local vendor. The construction included parking, as well as porches and green space in the rear of the property for the tenants. This vital project helped to establish a balance between the residential character of the Austin Street neighborhood and the commercial uses along Chandler Street.

300 Pleasant Street: Eddie's Plaza - The space above Eddie's Plaza had remained empty for over 15 years. This strategic location at the corner of Pleasant St. and Piedmont St. was left to deteriorate before WCG partnered with Eddie Jimenez, the building's owner, in February of 2006. WCG completed rehabilitation of the six apartments in the fall of 2006 and will continued to share management responsibilities with Eddie Jimenez.

9 May Street - Worcester Common Ground acquired 9 May Street at the end of March 2006 and completed construction in 2008. The building has been approved by all funders, the Historic Commission, the Planning Board, and the ZBA for use as 46 units of 1, 2 and 3 bedroom affordable residential rental apartments and a common community space in the May Street portion of the first floor utilizing the historic front entrance. (See "In the Works" for more detailed information about this project.)

5 Piedmont Street - This recently completed building has 12 one bedroom apartments that are fully occupied and the ground floor is the new home to Worcester Common Ground with a large community space. 5 Piedmont Street borders on the City of Worcester's designated Arts District and is within one of Worcester Common Ground's target neighborhoods. The immediate area is mixed use of residential and commercial, and is near our Austin Street, Chandler Street and the 9 May Street projects. We now have anchored the three major intersections of the once maligned Piedmont Street with attractive buildings. (See "In the Works" for more detailed information about this project.)

25 King Street - This former drug house and abandoned Triple Decker was acquired from Prudential by WCG for $1.00. Rehab was completed in November 1995, and the property was sold to a first-time home buyer in December of that year.

55 King Street - WCG purchased this Triple-Decker in 1995 from Habitat for Humanity, a non-profit CDC who was unable to maintain rehabilitations completed in 1986. Minor renovations were completed and the building was sold to a first time homebuyer in September of 1996.

97 Bellevue Street - This vacant and abandoned single family property was purchased from Fannie Mae and completed in April 1997. It was sold to a first-time home buyer in May 1997.

99 Bellevue Street - This vacant and abandoned three family property was purchased from Fannie Mae. Renovations were completed in October of 1997 and sold to a first-time home buyer.

35 Cedar Street - This two-family home was acquired through a bargain sale to WCG by the Estate of Barsom Mannog. Moderate rehab was accomplished through a deferred payment loan from the City of Worcester and sold to a first-time home buyer in February 1997.

7 Newbury Street - This 'Greek Revival' property was acquired by WCG from its owner in March 1997. Twenty years earlier the property had been considered for listing with Preservation Worcester due to the impressive woodwork of the two family residence. Intensive rehabilitation of the building was completed and it was sold to a first-time home buyer in 1998.

9 Quincy Street - This vacant two family home was acquired from HUD in January 1997. WCG received a majority of the financing for the property, as well as the properties on 7 Newbury and 48 King Streets, from Local HOME funds, the state Housing Stabilizing Fund, and Commerce Bank. Construction was completed and the property sold to a first-time home buyer in 1998.

48 King Street - This abandoned and vacant three family property was acquired from HUD in June of 1996. Construction started in the summer of 1998 and it was sold to a first-time home buyer in early 1999.

139 Austin Street - This 3 unit house was developed through the "Su Casa Propria, Your Own Home" (a First-Time Homebuyers Initiative Project) in collaboration with the City of Worcester OPCD, Commerce Bank, State Department of Housing and Community Development, the Federal Home Loan, Bank of Boston and Worcester Common Ground. The property was and sold to a first-time home buyer in the fall of 2000.

21 Preston Street - In partnership with the YMCA, construction on this 3 unit property was completed in the spring of 2001 and sold to a first-time home buyer.

11 Jaques Avenue - Rehabilitation of this abandoned and derelict 3 unit home was completed and sold to a First-Time Home Buyer in the Spring of 2002.

12 West Street - This abandoned rental property near the corner of West and Cottage Street was converted to three units and rehabilitated within its historical context, then sold to a first-time home buyer in 2002.

19 Bancroft Street - The construction of this property included new windows, plumbing and electrical, as well as Energy Star rated heating systems. Rehabilitation of the 3 unit home was completed and sold to a first-time home buyer in the Spring of 2002.

99 Chatham Street - WCG acquired this property in November of 2001. After minor rehabilitation this one unit home was sold to a first-time home buyer in February of 2002.

30 Bancroft Street & 22 Bluff Street - These two 3 unit first-time home buyer homes were completed in and sold through a homeownership lottery in 2003 as part of WCG's "Su Casa Propia II/ Your Own Home" (a First-Time Home Buyer Initiative Program). These previously abandoned properties became a part of the community land trust, increasing WCG's impact on the King-Mason Streets Neighborhood. WCG committed to selling the homes for reduced prices to guarantee their affordability for low and moderate income community residents.

130, 132 and 134 Austin Street - Worcester Common Ground acquired the two run-down townhouses in spring of 2001. After construction challenges, the three first-time home buyer properties were completed in 2004. Along with properties at 30 Bancroft Street and 22 Bluff Street, the houses were developed through the "Su Casa Propia II/ Your Own Home" (a First-Time Home Buyer Initiative Program).

141, 143, and 147 Austin Street - WCG reclaimed these overgrown, trash-filled lots in 2004. These lots, which used to compete with Institutional Linens on Mason Street as the worst place in the neighborhood for illegal dumping, were changed into three new first-time home buyer properties in 2005.

26 Bancroft Street - This property was one of the first homes that WCG built from the ground up. Construction began in spring of 2005 and was sold to a first-time home buyer.

17 Preston Street - This property had been vacant for several years when WCG took over the property. Renovations began in the spring of 2005 and the house was sold to a first-time home buyer in June of 2005.