Baker-Polito Administration Awards $17.8 Million for Elderly Public Housing Rehabilitation

Grant funding will create modern, service-rich environments for senior citizens and individuals with disabilities

Malden – January 9, 2017 – (RealEstateRama) — The Baker-Polito Administration announced $17.8 million in grant funding to four local housing authorities, to preserve and modernize affordable public housing units for elderly and disabled residents. The funding is being awarded from the Department of Housing and Community Development’s Modernizing Public Housing and Supporting Elders (ModPHASE) Program, in collaboration with the Executive Office of Elder Affairs.

Grant funding will provide for the substantial rehabilitation of a total of 276 public housing units, in Chelsea, Gloucester, Ipswich, and Malden, and provide service-rich environments that allow public housing residents to age in their communities.

“This new grant program will help cities and towns meet their local housing needs, by providing elder residents with safe, modern public housing units,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “ModPHASE funding allows communities to make holistic investments in elder care, by providing needed capital upgrades, and helping to deliver increased services to public housing residents.”

“Across the Commonwealth, our elderly residents are hoping to age in their communities, but are too often unable to access the services they need,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “This new program increases partnerships between public housing and elder services agencies, benefiting our elders and residents with disabilities in the pursuit of healthy aging.”

“This partnership with the Executive Office of Elder Affairs allows us to complement the skills of housing authorities and service agencies, helping our local partners to implement upgrades that enhance the ability to provide services on site,” said Undersecretary of Housing and Community Development Chrystal Kornegay. “These funds will ensure local housing authorities successfully prepare for the needs of current and future public housing residents as they age in their community.”

“EOEA is honored to continue our partnership with DHCD to pair quality affordable housing with services that elders and people with disabilities need and want in order to age in community,” said Elder Affairs Secretary Alice Bonner. “This combination of housing and services will provide residents with access to wellness education to support healthy aging, group activities and meals to combat social isolation, linkages to mainstream benefits to improve economic stability, and individual assistance with day-to-day living to prevent unnecessary nursing facility placement. We hope that the relationships created through the ModPHASE opportunity are just the first step to creating long-lasting partnerships to create supportive senior living communities.”

ModPHASE is a collaboration between the Department of Housing and Community Development and the Executive Office of Elder Affairs. The program seeks to preserve and modernize public housing communities with high capital needs, and facilitate stronger relationships between local housing authorities and local elder service agencies. ModPHASE grants will fund physical improvements at public housing communities that modernize and preserve public housing for senior citizens and disabled residents. Local housing authorities will leverage these capital improvements, by advancing human service partnerships that deepening the capacity of local housing authorities to deliver elder services to residents. Through modernization improvements, and improved service delivery, ModPHASE supports the capacity for current and future public housing residents to age in their communities.

2017 ModPHASE Award Winners

Chelsea Housing Authority – $3,573,391

The Chelsea Housing Authority will make major renovations at the 56-unit Union Park development, constructing new accessible units, renovating kitchens and bathrooms, replacing windows, doors, and heating systems, and upgrading plumbing. ModPHASE funds will leverage resources for seniors, including services from Mystic Valley Elder Services, Massachusetts General Hospital, MetroCare LLC, the Cambridge Health Alliance’s Elder Service Plan, and the Chelsea Council on Aging.

Gloucester Housing Authority – $6,298,162

The Gloucester Housing Authority will undertake a phased rehabilitation its McPherson Park development, upgrading community spaces, renovating kitchens and bathrooms, repairing roofing, and upgrading mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems.

Ipswich Housing Authority – $1,221,220

The Ipswich Housing Authority will completely renovate 20 units at its Southern Manor development, rehabilitating units, replacing roofs, windows, and doors, and upgrading mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems. ModPHASE funds will enhance the existing partnerships between the Housing Authority and local resources for seniors, including Senior Care, The Open Door, and the Ipswich Council on Aging.

Malden Housing Authority – $6,695,000

The Malden Housing Authority will rehabilitate 103 units at its Forestdale development, upgrading building envelopes, creating new accessible units and accessibility site improvements, and renovating kitchens and bathrooms. Mystic Valley Elder Services and the Cambridge Health Alliance’s Elder Service Plan will provide services to the community’s residents.

Media Contact

Samantha Kaufman (HED) – samantha.kaufman (at) state.ma (dot) us
Michelle Hillman (EHS) – michelle.hillman (at) state.ma (dot) us