Our Impact

Andover Community Trust has been developing homes in Andover for 30 years. The 13 permanently affordable homes we have developed house families who have made Andover their community, with their children attending Andover schools and the families contributing to our economy.

Beyond developing homes we connect people looking for affordable homes with affordable apartments for rent, and affordable condos and homes for sale. We share resources on home buying and home ownership to continue to strengthen the Andover community for all residents. We provide monitoring and resale assistance for affordable apartments and condominiums throughout Andover, coordinate the mortgage and rental relief programs for the town and provide building sites to trains 100s of future tradespeople from Greater Lawrence Technical School construction classes.

In February 2022 we turned 30! In 30 years we have had many interested buyers and renters who would like to call Andover home.

100s of GLTS Students Trained.

100s of GLTS Students have been trained, 13 family homes have been built and 100s of homeowners have been connected with services and opportunities for affordable housing

Since ACT built our first home, we have partnered with Greater Lawrence Technical School (GLTS). This valuable collaboration provides education and training for high school students in the construction trades, including carpentry, electrical, plumbing and HVAC. Hands on training is one of the most important ways to prepare for a trade career. Problem solving, materials knowledge and learning skills will allow these students to become the tradespeople for our community for decades into the future. We are grateful to be working with these skilled collaborators.

Read the story the Eagle Tribune shared of GLTS students accomplishment in building our Andover Street home.

13 Permanently Affordable Homes Built in Andover.

To date 13 homes have been completed! 7 are single family homes and 6 are duplexes. Together these 13 homes account for 9% of Andover’s affordable homeownership units. 55 individuals have called an ACT house their home!

For the families who have made an ACT house their home, they experience the joy and stability of being a homeowner in a community with a strong school system, a strong economy with many local jobs, access to transportation for commuting to jobs out of town, and a feeling of security. ACT provides ongoing stewardship for ACT homeowners providing support for homeowner issues.

100s of Connections.

100s of individuals have been connected with services and opportunities for affordable housing from CARES Act funds for mortgage and rental assistance to Mass Save assistance to reduce utility costs. We provide information and assistance to low and moderate income families interested in living in Andover as well as guidance on how to find and apply for affordable units.

In addition, we work closely with the Town Planning and Community Development office to preserve and increase the number of affordable units in Andover and resolve affordable housing issues. When affordable homes and condos come up for resale, we inform homeseekers looking to find an affordable home in Andover.

ACT also works with local developers to share our knowledge of the 40b process and affordable housing development in Andover in order to increase the town’s inventory of affordable homes.

John LaVoie speaking in front of home under construction with student builders in hard hats and Town Manager in background — “This opportunity also allows our students to build those skills right on site that would not be possible if it weren’t for a building project such as this. Simulating and doing mockups at school are not the same as coming out on the project and working in the environment.”

John LaVoie
GLTS Superintendent

Meet some of the student builders

Humans of ACT

Esmeralda, GLTS Junior, Electrician

Learn why Esmeralda wants to be an electrician and the difference between working on a work site and in a school

Michael, Senior in Plumbing at GLTS

Read about the tools of plumbing from Michael and his excitement for basketball.

Ronny, GLTS Senior, Carpentry

Hear Ronny explain how he sees the difference between working inside and outside in carpentry— it’s not just the temperature difference!

Rainzel, GLTS Senior, Carpentry

From frustration to triumph, read about Rainzel’s experience learning how to install molding and his work on the Stott Circle duplexes.

Jerely, GLTS Senior, Carpentry

Jerely is one of only 4 senior girls in the Greater Lawrence Technical School carpentry program. Hear her story and how she ensures this house becomes a home.

Priscilla, GLTS Junior, Plumber

Priscilla is one of only a handful of girls in the Greater Lawrence Technical School plumbing program. Hear her story and what it's like working on an ACT home.

Fredi, GLTS Junior, Electrician

Already Fredi has learned a lot about being an electrician and takes pride in his work. When he’s not in school he’s often working with his dad in masonry. Hear what it’s like being on our build site as an electrician.

Oscar, GLTS Junior, Carpentry

After learning from home from September through May, Oscar is onsite for the first time using his carpentry skills to build someone’s home. Hear about all he’s had to learn in just 3 days onsite.

Kayra, GLTS Junior, Carpentry

Kayra understands first hand the huge value of being onsite learning rather than learning remotely as Covid kept the students offsite for much of the past year. Hear how Kayra explains the contrast.

Madeline, GLTS Senior, Carpentry

Madeline is an innovator in all she does as a female in the carpentry program, a female wrestler and in plans to study criminology in college. Find out what she has learned as part of the GLTS carpentry program.

Samantha, GLTS Senior, Carpenter

Samantha is a senior in carpentry. Hear how she has gained confidence and what it’s like being a female in construction.

Xavier, GLTS Senior, Carpenter

The Greater Lawrence Technical School students are back working on Lupine Road— time to introduce you to a few more. Xavier has learned a lot from Mr Magee and has his sights set on college when he graduates.

Searlin, GLTS Junior, Carpenter

Searlin didn’t always want to be a carpenter. Find out why she’s glad she made the change to this career.

Kylee, GLTS Senior, Electrician

Kylee shares her views on being a woman in a man's trade as an electrician-in-training at Greater Lawrence Technical School.

Delwin, GLTS Junior in Carpentry

Delwin got over his fear of heights working at Lupine Road and it paid off for him when he applied for a job. Check out how he started scaling ladders despite initial trepidation.

Michael, GLTS Senior in Carpentry

On a chilly winter day, Michael reflects on what he has learned from his teachers and the strength it takes to stand a wall.

Jonathan, GLTS Senior, Carpentry

Jonathan is a GLTS senior in carpentry who would rather work in the rain than the snow. He would like to be a finishing carpenter— working inside buildings and installing cabinets

Iverson, GLTS Junior in Plumbing

Iverson shares how much he has learned in just 2 1/2 years in the plumbing trades program at Greater Lawrence Technical School.

Yeribel, GLTS Junior in Carpentry

The temperature is hovering around 25 degrees and though the heater is on full-power on the first floor, the warmth doesn’t reach the the students as they are working on the ACT duplex. Yeribel shares her story of being a female in the GLTS carpentry program and her aspirations for college.