Bank shows support for an initiative launched in 2017 to create high-impact, mixed-use, mixed-income projects with demonstrated potential to positively transform New England neighborhoods

Cambridge Savings Bank (CSB), a full-service mutual bank with a customer-first approach and over $6 billion in assets, today announced that it has invested $1 million in Healthy Neighborhoods Equity Fund II (HNEF II). Developed by Massachusetts Housing Investment Corporation (MHIC) and Conservation Law Foundation (CLF), HNEF II doubles the size of the first Healthy Neighborhoods Equity Fund (HNEF I), created to finance inclusive mixed-use developments near public transportation that offer retail, housing, and social services to support healthier communities.

HNEF II, a private equity fund, raised $42M, and its stewards intend to use the strategic capital to finance over 450 homes in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. The fund will expand efforts to clean up environmentally degraded properties and repurpose abandoned locations to create new low-carbon housing. As part of this commitment, HNEF II will encourage developers to create energy efficient and resilient buildings, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and increase the health and safety of occupants through project design and operations.

“The contribution from CSB to the Healthy Neighborhood Equity Funds will help us further develop healthy housing, safe streets, and increased access to jobs, green spaces, fresh food, and other goods and services,” said Elizabeth Ronayne, Chief Capital Development Officer at Massachusetts Housing Investment Corporation. “We are thankful for the continued partnership with CSB in our efforts to create strong and sustainable neighborhoods across New England.”

CSB also contributed $1M to HNEF I, which is now fully invested in a portfolio of nine projects in greater Boston for a total of $21.5M. These projects leveraged an additional $144M of private and public investment in low- and moderate-income neighborhoods, resulting in the creation of 586 new mixed-income housing units, over 139,000 square feet of commercial space, and over 600 construction jobs.

“Massachusetts Housing Investment Corporation and Conservation Law Foundation are driving impactful change with both Healthy Neighborhood Equity Funds. It is an honor to play a small role in such a transformative initiative that will uplift communities across multiple different states,” said Michael Kuhn, SVP, and Team Leader in Commercial Lending at Cambridge Savings Bank, and Team Leader in Commercial Lending at Cambridge Savings Bank. “We will continue to partner with organizations like MHIC and CLF that support underserved communities by providing increased access to safe and affordable housing.” 

Three HNEF II transactions have closed for developments in Brockton, Dorchester, and Hamilton, MA for a total of 102 mixed-income homes. The Fund pairs lower-cost equity and longer investment periods with rigorous screening for community, health, and environmental benefits using CLF’s HealthScoreTM tool. HNEF is structured to ensure the benefits of these community investments flow to people of color and minority business enterprises in those communities. MHIC collaborates with project sponsors to set racial equity and inclusion goals to increase the participation of underserved business owners and minority workers in the construction contracts. 

CSB’s commercial division is focused on serving the needs of their local communities and businesses, offering a full suite of Corporate Banking Lending, Commercial Real Estate Lending, Treasury Management, and Trade Services solutions. To learn more please visit cambridgesavings.com/commercial.

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About Cambridge Savings Bank

Cambridge Savings Bank is a full-service banking institution with over $6 billion in assets. As a mutual bank, CSB is committed to improving the quality of life of our employees, customers, and the communities we serve. One of the oldest and largest community banks in Massachusetts, Cambridge Savings Bank offers a full line of individual and business banking services across a robust Massachusetts-based branch network and through digital banking solutions for commercial, small business and consumer customers. In 2022, CSB received an investment-grade rating from Kroll Bond Rating Agency reinforcing the bank’s position as a reliable business lender. To learn more about how CSB can meet your needs, visit us at cambridgesavings.com, or better yet, come meet us to help you make the most out of your banking relationship. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.

About Massachusetts Housing Investment Corporation:

Massachusetts Housing Investment Corporation (MHIC) is an innovative private financier of affordable housing and community development throughout New England. The company provides financing that would not otherwise be available and extends the impact of that financing to ensure the broadest possible benefit. For more information, please visit: mhic.com.

About Conservation Law Foundation:

Since 1966, Conservation Law Foundation has used the law, science, policymaking, and the business market to find pragmatic, innovative solutions to New England’s toughest environmental problems. Whether that means cleaning up Boston Harbor, protecting ocean fisheries to ensure continued supply, stopping unnecessary highway construction in scenic areas, or expanding access to public transportation, the firm is driven to make all of New England a better place to live, work, and play. You can learn more at https://www.clf.org/.