More than $31 million in direct subsidies, low-income housing tax credits (LIHTCs), and housing vouchers were recently awarded to support the development and preservation of 11 housing facilities in Massachusetts, including 237 permanent housing units and 200 shelter beds for families and individuals, announced officials.
The awards were part of the state’s permanent supportive housing program that has produced or preserved more than 3,500 units for families, individuals, veterans, seniors, and individuals with disabilities since 2015.
“Building and preserving supportive housing is a critical part of ensuring a healthy housing market that meets the diverse needs of our commonwealth,” said Gov. Charlie Baker. “We are pleased to direct state and federal funds to bolster the pipeline of housing projects and provide stable housing options for all households.”
Each year, the state Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) works with the Community Economic Development Assistance Corp. to distribute capital funds as well as project-based housing vouchers to pay for supportive services through a competitive process administered by the agency’s Supportive Housing for Vulnerable Populations program.
These supportive services benefit veterans, older adults, persons with disabilities, individuals and families who have experienced homelessness, as well as unaccompanied youth. Specialized services may include child care, mental health services, job training, case management, and other services for vulnerable populations.
Government officials and housing leaders celebrated the latest awards round at the Aurora Apartments in Worcester, where The Community Builders (TCB) will undertake substantial renovations to all 85 micro-units, including restoration of historic elements, new heating, cooling, and ventilation systems, a new suite for on-site staff, security improvements, and a new community room. All units will be reserved for individuals making less than 60% of the area median income (AMI), and 30 will be reserved for extremely low-income individuals and those transitioning from homelessness. Open Sky Community Services will provide supportive services for residents.
“This critical funding from DHCD will support our most vulnerable residents, some as they transition from foster care, access mental and behavioral health care, and pursue their own dreams,” said Andy Waxman, regional vice president at TCB. “TCB is committed to providing stable housing and supportive services that make neighborhoods stronger.”
DHCD is supporting the project with housing tax credits and subsidy funds. The city of Worcester also will provide funds to support Aurora Apartments.
The other award recipients are:
150 Pleasant Street (Attleboro): Nonprofit sponsor NeighborWorks Housing Solutions, working with Father Bill’s & MainSpring (FBMS), will create 22 new supportive housing units for extremely low-income adults, as well as 18 new emergency shelter beds for homeless individuals. The completed project will include extensive services for residents. DHCD will support this project with subsidy funds. The city of Attleboro will also support the project with funds of its own, and the sponsor is involved in an ongoing fundraising campaign in support of 150 Pleasant Street.
House of Hope Shelter (Attleboro): Nonprofit sponsor New Hope will offer shelter and services to individuals and families who have experienced domestic violence at a new shelter featuring 14 rooms, including accessible rooms, that will replace two existing, smaller shelters. Shelter residents will be offered multiple support services, including therapeutic counseling and case management, as well as access to services available in the broader community. DHCD will support the House of Hope Shelter with subsidy funds. The city of Attleboro also will support the shelter with funds of its own. In addition, New Hope has secured almost $1.4 million in support for the project through extensive fundraising.
Warren Street Housing (Boston): Nonprofit sponsor Commonwealth Land Trust will rehabilitate two buildings in Boston’s Roxbury neighborhood that, when complete, will offer 26 single-room occupancy (SRO) units for homeless individuals earning less than 50% of the AMI. Thirteen SROs will be further restricted for homeless individuals earning less than 30% of the AMI. The sponsor will offer extensive support services to the residents of Warren Street Housing. DHCD will support the project with subsidy funds. The city of Boston also will support Warren Street Housing with funds of its own.
Manley Street Housing Resource Center (Brockton): Nonprofit sponsor Father Bill’s & Mainspring is building the Manley Street Housing Resource Center that will offer 128 new shelter beds as well as an on-site health clinic and an expanded homeless service center. The organization also hopes to construct an addition to the resource center to create 32 SRO units for homeless individuals. Both the resource center and the proposed 32-unit project are located less than one quarter-mile from The Roadway, a hotel that FBMS recently converted, with state assistance, to SROs with services for homeless individuals. DHCD is supporting the project with subsidy funds. The city of Brockton also is supporting the project with substantial funds of its own.
35 Harvey Street (Cambridge): This is an occupied rehabilitation project sponsored by the nonprofit Homeowner’s Rehab, working with CASCAP, Inc. When rehabilitation work is completed, the project will consist of 12 SRO units with individual bathrooms and kitchenettes. All 12 SROs will be restricted for individuals earning less than 50% of the AMI, with 10 SROs further restricted for individuals earning less than 30% of the AMI. The sponsor also will offer extensive services to the residents of 35 Harvey Street. DHCD will support the project with subsidy funds. The city of Cambridge also will support 35 Harvey Street with funds of its own.
Catalyst Housing (Lynn): This is a historic reuse project that will serve homeless and/or extremely low-income individuals, sponsored by the nonprofit Harborlight Community Partners, working with The Haven Project. When construction is complete, the project will offer 24 studio units, with 23 units reserved for homeless individuals, including youth and young adults. The sponsor also will offer extensive support services to the new residents of Catalyst Housing. DHCD will support this project with LIHTCs and subsidy funds. The city of Lynn also will support Catalyst Housing with funds of its own.
Lynn Emergency Shelter (Lynn): Nonprofit sponsor Lynn Shelter Association will rehab the Lynn Emergency Shelter that will offer 40 beds for homeless adults with extensive support services for residents. DHCD will support the project with subsidy funds. The city of Lynn will support the project with funds of its own, and the sponsor is engaged in an ongoing fundraising campaign in support of this important project.
New Point Apartments (Salem): This is a historic preservation project consisting of three properties located in Salem’s Point neighborhood, sponsored by the nonprofit North Shore Community Development Corp. When rehabilitation work is completed, the project will offer 18 units. Seventeen units will be restricted for households earning less than 50% of the AMI, with 10 units further restricted for households earning less than 30% of the AMI. When units become vacant, the sponsor and management company will give preference on the project waitlist to families experiencing homelessness. The sponsor also will provide support services to tenants living at New Point Apartments. DHCD will support the project with LIHTCs and subsidy funds. The city of Salem also will support the project with funds of its own.
275 Chestnut Supportive Housing (Springfield): This is a new construction project located at the former YMCA building in downtown Springfield sponsored by the nonprofit Home City Development. When work is completed, the project will offer 29 SRO units for chronically homeless and extremely low-income individuals. The project sponsor will offer extensive support services to the new residents of 275 Chestnut, and residents will also have access to certain facilities available in the community. DHCD will support the project with LIHTCs and subsidy funds. The city of Springfield also will support the project with funds of its own.
Gordon H. Mansfield Veterans Community (Tewksbury): This is a new construction project sponsored by the nonprofit sponsor Soldier On that, when completed, will offer 21 studio and one-bedroom units. All units will be restricted for veterans earning less than 80% of the AMI, with 12 units further restricted for veterans earning less than 50% of the AMI. Six units will be reserved for veterans earning less than 30% of the AMI. When completed, the project will offer extensive support services for new residents. DHCD will support the project with subsidy funds. The town of Tewksbury also will support the project with funds of its own.
