The state Department of Housing and Community Development awarded grants worth $44.7 million and $16 million in state and federal low-income housing tax credits Tuesday to a group of 11 housing developments in Eastern Massachusetts.
In total, the awards will advance the development of 587 new rental units, including 443 affordable rental units.
“Our administration continues to make substantial commitments to increase the development of new affordable housing in an effort to meet the need we see in every region,” Gov. Charlie Baker said in a statement. “We have invested more than $1 billion in the affordable housing ecosystem, created new programs to encourage development, and filed legislation to update zoning laws to promote equity and opportunity for all residents. Today’s awards will advance the production of hundreds of new rental units for families, seniors, and households transitioning out of homelessness.”
Baker, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito and Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy joined state and local officials to announce the awards at the East Boston Neighborhood Health Center, close to the site of the East Boston Community Development Corp.’s future Grace Apartments, which will offer 42 new units and supportive services for seniors.
“We at East Boston CDC are very grateful to the efforts by both Governor Baker and Mayor Walsh for providing us with the resources and tools to begin to address the dire affordable housing crisis,” East Boston CDC Executive Director Al Caldarelli said in a statement. “We look forward to providing more affordable housing for those in need.”
In 2018, Baker signed the largest housing bond bill in Massachusetts history, committing more than $1.8 billion to the future of affordable housing production and preservation, which included more than $600 million to address capital needs in our state-aided public housing portfolio.
Mary D. Stone, Auburn: 55 senior-only units,including 45 affordable units, being developed by Penrose
Bartlett Station Building A, Roxbury: 60 multi-bedroom units, including 51 affordable units, being developed by Nuestra Comunidad
Bowdoin Street, Dorchester: 41 affordable units being developed by Viet-Aid Inc.
Grace Apartments, East Boston: 42 affordable senior-only units being developed by East Boston Community Development Corp.
Creative Class Lofts, Fall River: 55 units, including 11 affordable units, being developed by Alan Macomber
Essex Street, Lawrence: 39 affordable units being developed by Greater Lawrence Community Action Council Inc.
Glen Brook Way Apartments, Medway: 48 affordable units being developed by Metro West Collaborative Inc.
Cliftex Phase II, New Bedford: 71 senior-only units, including 56 affordable units, being developed by WinnDevelopment
Golda Meir Expansion, Newton: 68 senior-only units, including 50 affordable units, being developed by 2Life Communities
Haywood House, Newton: 55 senior-only units, including 32 affordable units, being developed by the Newton Housing Authority
Source: Bakerandtradesman
