Baker-Polito Administration Awards $31,300 in Housing Grants to Beverly and Sunderland
PATH grants will fund efforts to increase local housing production
Boston – April 11, 2016 – (RealEstateRama) — The Baker-Polito Administration announced a total of $31,300 in Planning Assistance Toward Housing (PATH) grant awards to Beverly and Sunderland, to help these communities meet their housing needs. Beverly and Sunderland join 17 communities across the Commonwealth that have received a PATH grant award since the program’s authorization in 2014.
Beverly received a $24,760 PATH award to support the creation of a Chapter 40R Smart Growth District. The Smart Growth District will facilitate the construction of dense, mixed-use, mixed-income development near existing infrastructure.
Sunderland received a $6,540 PATH award to support the creation of affordable senior housing in Sunderland’s town center. Sunderland’s PATH grant will enable the Town, in partnership with the Franklin Regional Council of Governments, to advance an affordable housing development project at 120 Main Street, by procuring design and development services.
“These awards empower municipalities to advance local planning efforts, and embrace new housing development,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “By supporting locally-driven efforts to expand the Commonwealth’s housing stock, we are unlocking economic growth in a way that supports the goals, and needs, of individual communities.”
“PATH grants are a key tool for advancing smart, sustainable and effective community development projects across the Commonwealth,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “These partnerships are a key component of our administration’s efforts to help municipalities grow and succeed.”
“Smart housing options put communities on a path to long-term, sustainable economic growth,” said Housing and Economic Development Secretary Jay Ash. “These PATH grants will help Beverly and Sunderland meet local housing needs with local solutions.”
“PATH grants allow municipalities to plan for development in the areas of their community they think is most suitable,” said Undersecretary of Housing and Community Development Chrystal Kornegay. “Planning for development is an important way communities can partner with the state in growing the economy.”
The Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) oversees the PATH program, a $600,000 fund that helps communities expand housing opportunities through community-based activities on municipally-owned sites; changes to land use and zoning; planning for housing and mixed-use development in specific geographic areas; and the implementation of strategies identified in DHCD-approved Housing Production Plans.
The fund, which was authorized in 2014, has awarded $336,300 to-date, supporting multi-family housing development efforts in 19 communities. Over $260,000 remains in the fund for future projects.
Grants are reviewed by a committee that includes MassHousing, the Massachusetts Housing Partnership, and MassDevelopment. DHCD accepts grant applications on a rolling basis.
Media Contact
Samantha Kaufman (HED) – samantha.kaufman (at) state.ma (dot) us
Adrian Servetnick (HED) – adrian.servetnick (at) state.ma (dot) us
