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A redevelopment project in Monson that could create at least 600 housing units hit a milestone as state officials began transferring 100 acres of land from a former Department of Developmental Services campus.

DDS closed the Monson Developmental Center, situated on a roughly 675-acre property, in 2012. No buildings there are currently used, and many aren’t safe to enter, according to the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance, which is currently demolishing faulty structures.

DCAMM on Wednesday kicked off the process of transferring a 100-acre swath of the campus to Westmass Area Development Corporation, the Healey administration announced. The administration said it is giving a $9 million site readiness grant to Westmass and will help the developer find additional funding streams.

“This redevelopment is a prime example of how we are leveraging underutilized state assets to address housing issues and drive economic growth in communities across Massachusetts,” Interim Economic Development Secretary Ashley Stolba said in a statement.

Part of the land being transferred to Westmass is expected to be transformed into industrial and commercial uses. Meanwhile, another 458 acres of the property is poised to be transferred to the Department of Fish and Game for conservation and recreation uses, and 42 acres will stay in the Department of Agriculture’s portfolio for farming.

“Through strategic planning, strong public-private partnerships, and phased redevelopment, Westmass will remediate, repurpose, and revitalize the long-dormant site in a way that complements and maintains the Town of Monson’s character,” Westmass CEO Jeff Daley said. “We are excited to begin this long-overdue project.”