Hadley hotel to close for renovations once Valley CDC project gets underway

HADLEY — New accommodations will need to be found this spring for several previously homeless individuals who have been staying in a former hotel on Route 9, with renovation of the building into permanent affordable housing getting underway.

Craig’s Doors: A Home Association, Inc., which has been leasing a portion of the EconoLodge site at 329 Russell St. from property owner Valley Community Development since summer 2023, will be helping identify new places for these guests to stay when the around-the-clock, non-congregate site closes on the morning of April 1.

“We have strong collaborative relationships with many community resources and shelter providers throughout the region,” Craig’s Doors Executive Director Shari Carlson said. “Our case management team is actively working to support our shelter guests in their individual search for alternative placements options, and will continue to do so in the months ahead.”

Carlson said that while the Hadley emergency shelter location is ending, the Amherst emergency shelter and other programs and services will continue. That includes the congregate overnight site, Craig’s Place, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church, 867 North Pleasant St., Amherst.

Valley CDC Executive Director Alexis Breiteneicher said the future work at the Hadley hotel has been on the current schedule since last summer, when the Healey-Driscoll administration announced $182 million in low-income housing credits and subsidies to support 21 developments across the state.

“Craig’s Doors has a lease until April with us, at which time they’ll move out and we’ll begin the rehab work,” Breiteneicher said.

The planned development, at around $20 million, will include 12 one-bedrooms and 39 studios, all with kitchens. Of the units, 33 would be reserved for people making 30% or less of the AMI, with a single person making $23,000 or less and for two people making $26,300 or less; and 17 would be reserved for people making 60% or less of the AMI, with a single person making $46,020 or less and for two people making $52,560 or less. With one staff member apartment, the maximum capacity on site would be 63.

As part of the plans, Clinical & Support Options will provide supportive services for residents, though those living there will not be obligated to use these.

The hotel redevelopment will at least temporarily displace guests like Brian Goodrich, who said he has begun reaching out to state and local officials about his situation. He said Craig’s Doors leaders have assured him a caseworker will assist him in getting housing.

But he worries about what the future holds. “Housing doesn’t happen that fast,” Goodrich said.

In fact, the nonprofit has an ongoing waitlist for openings at the hotel and makes the placements at the location based on vulnerability levels.

When Craig’s Doors began placing people at the Hadley hotel, many had moved from the University Motor Lodge in Amherst. Since then, though, that former hotel has been converted into apartments.

Beds will still be available on a first-come, first-serve basis at the congregate site, and guests can keep their beds as long as they need them, so long as they come back each night.

Amherst Town Manager Paul Bockelman said he understands Craig’s Doors is exploring adding more bed space in the church, with its eventual hope to have a permanent shelter and supportive housing at the former VFW site on Main Street.

Carlson acknowledges the challenges.

“We applaud Valley Community Development’s plans to redevelop the Hadley location into affordable permanent housing, which our region greatly needs,” Carlson said. “Unfortunately, in western Massachusetts, the demand outpaces the supply for all types of homeless services, including emergency shelter services.”

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