WORCESTER, Mass. - Gov. Maura Healey toured the Courthouse Lofts apartments in Worcester to learn more about innovative ways of creating housing throughout the state.

Healey's visit was a part of her statewide tour to talk about her recently introduced affordable housing bill. The "Affordable Homes Act” is a bill that would put funding towards building new, and renovating old housing options in the state.

“It’s something that we want to see more of as an administration," Healey said. "That’s why we filed the recent legislation, the 'Affordable Homes Act'. It's a $4.1 billion plan to create or preserve new homes and new units for low and middle income families across the state.”

The Courthouse Lofts was an Worcester courthouse that was vacant for years before it was turned into both affordable and market-rate apartments.

Former Worcester City Manager Ed Augustus was a big part of bringing the project to fruition. Now as the secretary of housing and livable communities, he is hoping to help more projects like this come to life throughout the state.

“It is wonderful to be home surrounded by so many people I’ve worked with in so many different capacities over the years,” Augustus said. “As the governor heard in the tour, this is a building that sat for a number of years and was really an eye sore. “

For state Rep. Jim O’Day, D-Worcester, Worcester is a prime example of how creative housing can be done.

“I think by her coming here and seeing what some innovation can do, and certainly the work that has been done here with some innovation we can do wonderful things that can really help us," O'Day said. "Find some more efficient ways and humane ways to find housing.”