B
OSTON – Massachusetts’ housing crisis demands bold action, and Affordable Housing and Services Collaborative, Inc. (AHSC) has emerged as a leading force. This year the nonprofit receives the 2025 Housing Champion of the Year award for its work building, preserving, and improving affordable homes across the Commonwealth.

    Founded in 2001, AHSC is a 501(c)(3) that quietly powers the state’s affordable housing sector. By blending development, finance, and social services, it has delivered over 3,000 units through more than 40 projects, ranging from new builds to adaptive reuse and preservation. The focus is not just on structures but on giving residents stability, dignity, and opportunity.

    **Partnership‑Driven Impact**

    AHSC’s strategy centers on collaboration, uniting public and private partners to secure funding, coordinate services, and lock in long‑term affordability for low‑income seniors, working families, veterans, and people with disabilities. The organization’s holistic vision extends beyond housing to include wellness programs, vocational training, and community activities that enhance quality of life.

    Recent milestones illustrate this approach:

    - **Walnut Knoll, Foxborough** – a two‑phase senior housing project totaling 200 units. Phase 1 (141 units) is nearly finished; Phase 2 (59 units) is fully funded and slated to start in 2026.

    - **Prospect Estates, Webster** – a historic rehabilitation of 25 family units in two 19th‑century school buildings, preserving affordability while improving living conditions for current residents.

    - **Columbia West & Uphams Corner, Dorchester** – acquisition and revitalization of two distressed properties, adding 91 units. The projects were turned around through occupied re‑syndication, keeping residents in place.

    These examples show AHSC’s commitment to building, protecting, and evolving housing in response to changing economic and social needs.

    **Michael Mattos – Visionary Leader**

    Michael J. Mattos has steered AHSC since 2013. With experience in municipal planning, public policy, real‑estate finance, and nonprofit leadership, he brings a comprehensive perspective to the organization. Mattos manages daily operations and personally oversees project management, permitting, and financing of complex transactions that involve federal and state Low‑Income Housing Tax Credits, Historic Tax Credits, public grants, and private equity. Under his guidance, AHSC’s asset portfolio now exceeds $390 million, making it one of the state’s most trusted nonprofit developers.

    Key projects under Mattos include:

    - The Charlestown – 48‑unit assisted‑living conversion in Boston

    - Powdermill Village – 248‑unit preservation in Westfield

    - Walker School – 40‑unit senior and disabled housing in Taunton

    - 98 Essex – 62‑unit transit‑oriented development in Haverhill

    Before AHSC, Mattos held senior roles in the public and private sectors, such as Director of Real Estate Development at the Taunton Housing Authority, Community Development Director for the City of Taunton, and Vice President of Community Development for MassDevelopment. He earned a B.S. from Bridgewater State University and an M.S. in Regional Planning from UMass Amherst. Mattos also serves as Chairman of the Dartmouth Housing Authority, a Town Meeting member, and a member of the Dartmouth Community Preservation Committee.

    **Strategic Growth and Future Projects**

    AHSC’s growth plan includes a robust pipeline of new developments and preservation projects. Three projects are slated for completion this year, with additional work scheduled through 2028. The organization prioritizes partnerships, acquisition of distressed assets, and joint ventures that expand its reach while staying true to its mission.

    “We’re always looking for where we can do the most good—where the need is greatest and our expertise can make a real difference,” Mattos says.

    **A Champion in Every Sense**

    In a region where affordable housing is increasingly out of reach, AHSC exemplifies what can be achieved when mission and execution align. Through innovative development, preservation leadership, and unwavering commitment to residents, AHSC proves that affordable housing is not merely a policy issue—it is a human one. Congratulations to AHSC and Michael Mattos, the 2025 Housing Champion of the Year, for building more than homes, building lasting impact.