Baker-Polito Administration Awards $21 Million for Affordable Housing Construction

Awards will support the creation of 312 units for at-risk populations

Framingham – March 14, 2016 – (RealEstateRama) — Today the Baker-Polito Administration announced more than $21 million in affordable housing awards, including $10.6 million from the Housing Preservation and Stabilization Trust Fund (HPSTF), to create 312 new units of supportive housing for homeless individuals and families, veterans, the elderly, and people with disabilities.

“Providing stable housing and supportive services to homeless and at-risk families helps to break the cycle of poverty and homelessness,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Today’s awards will help ensure that the complex needs of homeless individuals and families are adequately met, putting recipients on the path to self-sufficiency and independence.”

The grant recipients were announced by Lt. Governor Karyn Polito and Undersecretary Chrystal Kornegay at Tribune Apartments, an existing, historic, 53-unit building for the elderly in downtown Framingham in need of significant rehabilitation, including roof replacement and accessibility upgrades, to allow residents to age in place while providing access to comprehensive supportive services, including social programs, meal delivery, transportation assistance and health aides sponsored by Preservation of Affordable Housing.

“Addressing the tragedy of homelessness requires understanding and addressing the underlying needs of vulnerable populations,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “Connecting individuals and families to the education, skills training, and childcare they need will support their long-term stability, improve their economic prospects, and will make the Commonwealth stronger.”

“Supportive housing, including the wraparound services provided, can be the difference between long-term stability and homelessness for at-risk individuals and families,” said Undersecretary of Housing and Community Development Chrystal Kornegay. “The detrimental effects of homelessness and instability on children and families is well documented. Mitigating or solving these effects will help to build strong residents, families, and communities across the Commonwealth.”

The Baker-Polito Administration has implemented a holistic approach to reducing homelessness through early intervention and wraparound services for homeless and at-risk populations, as well as through the creation of affordable rental housing for homeless and at-risk families and individuals. Housing Preservation and Stabilization Trust Fund awards support these efforts by financing the construction of affordable housing with integrated support services.

HPSTF awards provide flexible funding for supportive housing low-income families and individuals in the Commonwealth, particularly those who are homeless and most at risk of becoming homeless. The comprehensive support services, including education, skills training, childcare, substance abuse treatment, mental health services, and comprehensive case management, aim to ensure that individuals and families do not fall back into homelessness.

The Administration augmented HPSTF awards by awarding supportive housing projects with 91 project-based vouchers from the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program. The rental vouchers will allow homeless and very low-income households to move into long-term housing.

Awardees:

Brookview House III, Boston

Brookview House, Inc. will construct 12 new supportive housing units for homeless families on a vacant parcel located two blocks from transit and local amenities. Integrated supportive services will include an on-site, licensed, and subsidized youth center for children aged 6 to 19, and classrooms for continued education and training.

111 Springfield Street, Chicopee

Funding will support the significant rehabilitation of 111 Springfield Street to 16 affordable units for extremely low-income formerly homeless residents, many of whom have disabilities. The project is sponsored by the Southern Middlesex Opportunity Council, which will provide supportive services to the residents.

Tribune Apartments, Framingham

Tribune Apartments is an existing, historic, 53-unit building for the elderly in downtown Framingham. The building is in need of significant rehabilitation, including roof replacement and accessibility upgrades, to allow residents to age in place. Residents will have access to comprehensive supportive services, including social programs, meal delivery, transportation assistance and health aides sponsored by Preservation of Affordable Housing.

Princeton House, Lowell

Community Teamwork Inc. (CTI) worked with YouthBuild to rehabilitate a garden-style apartment building in the Lowell Highlands for 20 homeless families. Families in the program will receive intensive supportive services provided by 24-hour on-site clinical staff, in order to help them gain the skills to live in more independent housing.

520-535 Fletcher Street, Lowell

House of Hope will renovate 520-535 Fletcher Street, formerly a retirement home for women, and operate a supported housing program for homeless families. The program will provide meals, child care, education, comprehensive employment training, and case management to approximately 30 homeless families.

Live 155, Northampton

The Live 155 Project, sponsored by HAP, Inc., will replace an existing property in downtown Northampton with a five-story, mixed-income, mixed-use development. The new building will provide 72 studio and one-bedroom apartments, along with 2,750 square feet of retail space.

100 Homes, Somerville

Somerville Community Corporation will renovate two recently acquired two-family homes to provide permanent supportive housing for formerly homeless households. The Somerville Homeless Coalition will provide residents with supportive services. The acquisition of these two properties is part of the larger 100 Homes Initiative, a joint program of the SCC and the City of Somerville that seeks to preserve affordability in Somerville housing.

Weymouth Veterans House, Weymouth

Neighborhood Housing Services of the South Shore, Inc. will build a six-unit shared-living residence for homeless veterans in Weymouth. Tenants will benefit from supportive services and case management provided by Father Bill’s & MainSpring, including referrals to VA outpatient health care, counseling, rehabilitation and employment services.

1 Kilby Street, Worcester

Main South Community Development Corporation will redevelop a family residential property that was damaged by fire. The completed project will serve nine families, including formerly homeless veterans, who will receive supportive living services from Veterans Inc.

Forbes Street, Worcester

The Worcester East Side Community Development Corporation will build an eight-unit, fully accessible supportive housing residence for formerly homeless persons with disabilities. All residents will receive an individualized package of wraparound support services provided by the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health.

Media Contact

Paul McMorrow (HED) – paul.mcmorrow (at) state.ma (dot) us

Samantha Kaufman (HED) – samantha.kaufman (at) state.ma (dot) us