Massachusetts investing $62 million from state, federal money in new affordable housing projects

Construction work on more than 460 new affordable housing units across Massachusetts will be supported through $62 million in state and federal funding awards announced on Wednesday.

The money, which is part of the annual Permanent Supportive Housing Grant Awards program, will support 12 projects stretching from the Berkshires to Cape Cod.

“We’re proud to support projects in every region of our state that are providing permanent supportive housing for families, seniors, veterans, young people and people experiencing homelessness. This is the type of housing production that we want to drive in communities across the state to lower costs and address our housing crisis,” Gov. Maura Healey said in a statement about the announcement.

State officials said that nearly all of the 460 housing units that will be created through this year’s grants will be reserved for low-income residents, including 317 units that will be reserved for very-low-income individuals. The governor’s office said it includes awards for projects that will house chronically homeless individuals, adults with disabilities, families transitioning from homelessness, vulnerable youth, and low-income seniors.

Some of the grant money comes from American Rescue Plan Act funding, officials said.

Additionally, Healey’s office said grant recipients will benefit from state and federal housing credits.

“I’m thrilled for this partnership of State and City funding to add more than 100 affordable housing units designed to meet the needs of Boston’s older residents,” Mayor Michelle Wu said.

Descriptions of each project were provided by the governor’s office:

1. Hamilton at Mount Everett is a new construction project for seniors in Boston’s Dorchester neighborhood. The nonprofit sponsor is Viet-AID, working with Hebrew SeniorLife as the service provider. The sponsor will build 36 units for low-income seniors, including 16 units for very low-income seniors. In addition to DHCD tax credits and subsidies, the city of Boston will support this project with local funding. The completed project will include comprehensive services from Hebrew SeniorLife and will replace an existing abandoned house with new housing. The project is also designed to Passive House standards.
2. Cheney Homes Apartments is a new construction project for seniors in Boston’s Grove Hall neighborhood. The non-profit sponsor is Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Development Corporation, working with the Uphams Corner Health Committee (UCHC) as the service provider. The project will feature 48 units for low-income seniors, including 20 units for very low-income seniors. In addition to DHCD tax credits and subsidies, the city of Boston will support this project with local funds. UCHC will operate a satellite PACE (Alternative Program for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) on the first floor of the new building. Many residents, as well as nonresidents, will receive PACE services on-site.
3. 3371 Washington Street is a new construction project for seniors to be built in Boston (Jamaica Plain). The Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Development Corporation is the nonprofit sponsor and has hired Peabody Properties to coordinate service staff, including a resident service coordinator and a part-time wellness nurse. The project will feature 39 affordable one-bedroom units, with 12 further restricted for very low-income seniors. In addition to DHCD subsidies, the city of Boston will support this project with local funds. The Washington Street project is transit-oriented, it is two blocks from the MBTA’s Green Street Orange Line Station and is served by many retail amenities. The project is an excellent location for age-restricted housing. The JPNDC team designed the project to Passive House standards.
4. 170 Cottage Street is a new construction family project in Chelsea. The nonprofit sponsor, The Neighborhood Developers, will construct 66 units, primarily two- and three-bedroom apartments, and will work with Housing Families to deliver services to 15 units set aside for homeless families. In addition to DHCD tax credits and subsidies, the city of Chelsea will support this project with local funds. The location is within walking distance of Bellingham Square and is one block from the MBTA Eastern Avenue Silver Line stop. The project is designed to Passive House standards.
5. Forward at the Rock Phase 2 is the new construction and expansion of a project located in Dennis designed to serve adults with autism. The nonprofit sponsor is FORWARD, Inc. When completed, the second phase will offer eight additional units for the target population. The town of Dennis is supporting the project with its own funds and DHCD is supporting phase two with state project-based housing vouchers.
6. 60 Wells Street is a combined renovation and new construction project in Greenfield. The nonprofit Clinical Support Options (CSO) will renovate and expand an existing state-funded homeless shelter for individuals from 30 beds to 40 beds and will construct a new three-story addition to creating 36 new studios for homeless individuals. Shelter guests and permanent residents will have access to a variety of 24/7 services, designed to meet the needs of formerly homeless – including chronically homeless – individuals. CSO, with its affiliate, Friends of the Homeless, will provide the services and operate the expanded shelter, which currently is managed by ServiceNet. In addition to DHCD tax credits and subsidies, the city of Greenfield is expected to commit local funds to the project.
7. Hennessey House is an existing historic single-room occupancy (SRO) property in downtown Lynn. Affordable Housing Associates of Lynn, the nonprofit affiliate of the Lynn Housing Authority, will convert this traditional SRO to 51 studios with private kitchens and bathrooms and will improve the overall accessibility of the building by adding an elevator. A total of 23 studios will be restricted for very low-income individuals, many of whom will be transitioning from homelessness. A local service provider will continue to use first-floor commercial space to serve homeless and at-risk youth and young adults. The city of Lynn has committed local HOME funds to the project, which also will receive DHCD subsidies.
8. Bracewell House is the renovation of a two-family house in North Adams. The nonprofit sponsor, Louison House, will convert the existing building into seven units for homeless and at-risk youth and young adults ages 18-24. The sponsor will provide comprehensive services funded through EOHHS and HUD’s Continuum of Care grants. The building is located within a few blocks of downtown. The city of North Adams has donated the property to the sponsor, and DHCD will support the project with subsidy funds.
9. First Street Apartments is a project located in Pittsfield and intended to serve homeless adults. The nonprofit sponsor is Berkshire Housing Development Corporation. The project consists of the conversion of part of an existing church into nine units of housing and a resource center. The city of Pittsfield is providing the project with $1.4 million in local funds, and DHCD will support the project with state project-based vouchers.
10. West Housatonic Apartments is a new construction project to be built in Pittsfield. The nonprofit Berkshire Housing Development Corporation will build 28 studios for very low-income individuals, the majority of whom have experienced chronic homelessness. Supportive services will be provided by Berkshire Housing in collaboration with ServiceNet and the Brien Center, with service funding provided by Home and Healthy for Good and other sources. The city of Pittsfield has committed ARPA funds to the project, which DHCD will support with tax credits and subsidy funds.
11. 775 Worthington Street is a new construction project to be built in Springfield. Clinical Support Options (CSO) and the Friends of the Homeless (FOH) will demolish an existing one-story building and construct a four-story building to create 36 studios and a 40-bed congregate shelter. The new structure will be built adjacent to Friends of the Homeless’ existing shelter/permanent housing project called Worthington Street. The city of Springfield has committed local funds to the project, which DHCD will support with tax credits and subsidy funds.
12. 237 Chandler Street consists of the conversion of the second story of a historic building in Worcester. The nonprofit South Middlesex Opportunity Council (SMOC) will convert a portion of the second floor of their current administrative building into 20 studio units for chronically homeless individuals. SMOC will provide supportive services supported by the CSPECH program funded through MassHealth/Medicaid. The city of Worcester has committed local ARPA and HOME funds, and DHCD will support the project with subsidy funds.

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Courtesy: Hearst Television