MassHousing recently made loan commitments of $12.8 million for phase I and phase II of the redevelopment and reconfiguration of the distressed United Front Homes housing development in New Bedford.

Developed in 1967 with federal funding, United Front Homes will be reduced in density from 200 existing apartments to 173 apartments. In addition, the property will be reconfigured to reintroduce the surrounding street pattern, which will allow better access to the development, improve safety and reduce crime, according to MassHousing.

The redevelopment plan also calls for the demolition of 62 existing apartments, the construction of 35 new units and full renovation and reconfiguration of the remaining 138 units, according to MassHousing.

Preservation of Affordable Housing, with assistance from United Front Development Corp., is leading the acquisition and redevelopment of United Front Homes.

The contractor will be Keith Construction of Stoughton. The management agent will be MB Management Company of Braintree and the architects are ICON Architecture of Boston and Guzman Prufer, Inc. of Sherborn.