MassHousing Awards $385,000 for Affordable Sober Housing and Support Services for Those in Recovery or Formerly Homeless

Funding will help create or renovate sober housing in six communities as well as support organizations working with people in recovery to avoid homelessness

BOSTON – January 30, 2017 – (RealEstateRama) — MassHousing has awarded $385,000 to help create or renovate affordable sober housing in six communities, assist efforts to create sober housing in Franklin County, and provide recovery training to direct care and housing organizations in Greater Boston.

The MassHousing grants will come from the Center for Community Recovery Innovations, Inc. (CCRI), a nonprofit subsidiary corporation of MassHousing that supports non-profits that create or preserve affordable sober housing in Massachusetts for recovering substance abusers. CCRI to date has awarded more than $9 million in grants for approximately 1,900 units of substance-free housing in more than 40 communities for men, women, families, veterans, the homeless and ex-offenders.

“A key factor in helping people overcome the grip of addiction is having an affordable, sober home where they can receive the support they need,’’ said MassHousing Executive Director Tim Sullivan.

“These CCRI grants are helping dedicated nonprofit organizations across Massachusetts provide the housing and services these individuals and families require to become successful in beating addiction and leading stable, productive lives.’’

Receiving grants in the latest round of CCRI funding were:
Lowell House, Inc., Lowell, $75,000 for down payment financing to acquire and create seven units of affordable sober housing for men age 18-26 in recovery, which will be called Zack’s House.

Providence Ministries for the Needy, Holyoke, $75,000 to make structural improvements – including roof and driveway repairs – and security enhancements to preserve 35 affordable sober units for men at Loreto House in Holyoke.

Community Healthlink, Inc., Worcester, $14,470 to help finance critical renovations, including replacement windows and building siding, to preserve four affordable sober apartments for families.

South Middlesex Nonprofit Housing Corporation, Warren, $75,000 to help finance the renovation of a bank-donated, vacant home into six affordable sober housing units for men and women in recovery.

MassHousing Awards $385,000 for Affordable Sober Housing and Support Services for Those in Recovery or Formerly Homeless

Improvements will include electrical and plumbing upgrades, a new roof, heating system, windows and flooring.

Father Bills and Mainspring, Wareham, $75,000 to help acquire and rehabilitate a vacant building to create six units of affordable sober housing for homeless men and women. The project is also receiving support from the Town of Wareham through Community Preservation Coalition and Affordable Housing Trust financing.

Casa Esperanza, Boston, $25,000 to help improve safety and empowerment of 37 affordable sober housing unit households through its Supportive Housing Overdose Prevention Project. This will include overdose prevention and intervention training for both tenants and staff, increased security and community engagement.

Rural Development Inc., Franklin County, $25,000 to help hire an experienced project manager to develop new affordable sober housing for families in Franklin County in collaboration with the local opioid task force, the Probate and Family Court, and local community organizations.

Self Esteem Boston Educational Institute, $20,800 to provide recovery training and support to more than 50 direct care services and housing staffs in Greater Boston, resulting in the ongoing stabilization of 1,800 households – many of which were formerly homeless – into long-term transitional or permanent housing.

About CCRI
The Center For Community Recovery Innovations, Inc., issues an annual Request for Proposals (RFP) to solicit projects for funding. The proposals that are selected need to meet CCRI’s current priorities and eligibility categories. The grants are typically used as one-time gap funding for capital projects that increase or improve the stock of affordable sober housing in Massachusetts. Other proposals that provide services for residents in MassHousing-financed rental housing, specifically those that address alcohol and/or drug abuse or addiction, are also considered for funding. CCRI grant recipients must be 501c3 non-profit organizations and matching funds must be provided. All proposals and applicant qualifications are stringently reviewed and vetted by MassHousing.

About MassHousing
MassHousing (The Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency) is an independent, quasi-public agency created in 1966 and charged with providing financing for affordable housing in Massachusetts. The Agency raises capital by selling bonds and lends the proceeds to low- and moderate-income homebuyers and homeowners, and to developers who build or preserve affordable and/or mixedincome rental housing. MassHousing does not use taxpayer dollars to sustain its operations, although it administers some publicly funded programs on behalf of the Commonwealth. Since its inception, MassHousing has provided more than $20 billion for affordable housing. For more information, visit the MassHousing website at www.masshousing.com, follow us on Twitter @MassHousing, subscribe to our blog, watch us on YouTube and Like us on Facebook.

###

Media Contacts
Eric Gedstad: 617.854.1079 | egedstad (at) masshousing (dot) com
Tom Farmer: 617.854.1843 | tfarmer (at) masshousing (dot) com