Baker-Polito Administration Awards $40,000 in Housing Grants to Lynn and Rockland
PATH grants will fund efforts to increase housing production
Boston – December 15, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — Today the Baker-Polito Administration awarded a total of $40,000 in Planning Assistance Toward Housing (PATH) grants to Lynn and Rockland, to help these communities meet their housing production needs.
The city of Lynn received a $25,000 PATH award for the creation of three Chapter 40R Smart Growth Districts. These districts facilitate the construction of dense residential or mixed-use development near existing infrastructure.
Rockland received a $15,000 award to create a Housing Production Plan. Housing Production Plans allow communities to proactively meet their affordable housing needs, while retaining local control over housing development.
“PATH grants help municipalities shape their own futures by planning for growth,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Mixed-income housing production is a key statewide economic development priority, and these grants help unlock locally-directed housing growth that supports local goals.”
“Facilitating smart, sustainable, and effective local development is a critical part of our support for municipalities across the Commonwealth,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “We will continue to work with communities throughout Massachusetts to ensure that residents have access to housing they can afford, and to help our cities and towns meet their unique needs.”
“Preparing communities for success is a crucial part of our economic development plan, and ensuring municipalities address local housing needs is a vital part of the process,” said Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Jay Ash. “Effective local development requires supporting and empowering communities working to find innovative solutions building on community strengths, previous investments, and regional specialties.”
“Smart growth housing development promotes economic development while increasing access to jobs and services for a range of families,” said Undersecretary of Housing and Community Development Chrystal Kornegay. “This administration is advancing housing production by engaging with communities, building local capacity, and creating incentives for communities to help move statewide housing production forward, and PATH grants are a critical component of that effort.”
The Planning Assistance Toward Housing (PATH) program manages $600,000 to help communities expand housing development opportunities. PATH is administered by DHCD and the Path Review Committee (PRC), which consists of Mass Housing, Massachusetts Housing Partnership, and MassDevelopment. Competitive grant applications are scored by DHCD staff and sent to the PRC for final approval. DHCD accepts grant applications on a rolling basis.
Media Contact
Kristen Sabella (HED) – kristen.j.sabella (at) state.ma (dot) us
