FAQs

  • Just A Start focuses on affordable family housing. The proposed mix of apartments includes 13 studios, 3 one-bedrooms, 14 two-bedrooms, and 13 three-bedrooms.

  • Yes. Located minutes from the Union Square train station, 24 Webster Ave is a transit-oriented building design. We are working to maximize parking within site constraints and the plans include 4 parking spaces.

  • 24 Webster Ave. is required to follow U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) guidelines. Affordable housing typically includes apartments that limit household income to at or below 30%, 50%, 60%, and 80% of the area median income (AMI). For 2025, the adjusted gross income limits in Somerville for a family of four range from $49,600 to $132,300.

    24 Webster Ave. will include units set aside for households making between 30% and 60% of the area median income (AMI).

  • Just A Start began preliminary design of the building in Fall 2022 and obtained funding awards from Fall 2022 through 2025.

    We are beginning the demolition process in January 2026 and expect construction to take approximately 22 months with completion in Fall 2027.

  • Passive House is an ultra energy efficient design, which allows tenants to save on their utility bills and will help the city reach net-zero. Just A Start has experience in PHIUS and our Squirrelwood project recently won the best Passive House renovation project in the New England Engineering News Record.

    According to phius.org, “Passive building puts passive house principles into practice to create safe, resilient, comfortable and - most importantly - energy efficient structures.” The five principles aim to:

    Employ continuous insulation throughout its entire envelope without any thermal bridging.

    The building envelope is extremely airtight, preventing infiltration of outside air and loss of conditioned air.

    Employ high-performance windows (double or triple-paned windows depending on climate and building type) and doors - solar gain is managed to exploit the sun’s energy for heating purposes in the heating season and to minimize overheating during the cooling season.

    Use some form of balanced heat - and moisture-recovery ventilation.

    Use a minimal conditioning system.

  • We have hosted 3 virtual community meetings, and 2 construction related meet and greets.

    We welcome your comments and questions. You can email us directly at 24Webster@justastart.org.