Baker-Polito Administration Awards $31 Million for Permanent Supportive Housing
On July 20, the Baker-Polito Administration awarded $31 million in direct subsidies, tax credits, and rental vouchers for permanent supportive housing. According to the Governor's press release, the awards will support 11 projects, including 237 affordable homes with supportive services and 200 shelter beds for individuals and families.
Awarded Projects:
Award Recipients:
150 Pleasant Street (Attleboro): Nonprofit sponsor NeighborWorks Housing Solutions, working with Father Bills & Mainspring, Inc. (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. New Hope will offer residents of the new shelter 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 as 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 area median income (AMI). Thirteen SROs will be further restricted for homeless individuals earning less than 30% of 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, Inc. (FBMS) 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, Inc., 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 AMI, with 10 SROs further restricted for individuals earning less than 30% of 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 re-use project that will serve homeless and/or extremely low‑income individuals, sponsored by the nonprofit Harborlight Community Partners, Inc., working with The Haven Project, Inc. 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 low-income housing tax credits 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 Corporation. When rehabilitation work is completed, the project will offer 18 total units. Seventeen units will be restricted for households earning less than 50% of AMI, with 10 units further restricted for households earning less than 30% of AMI. When units become vacant, the sponsor and management company will give preference on the project waitlist to homeless families. The sponsor also will provide support services to tenants living at New Point Apartments. DHCD will support the project with low-income housing tax credits 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, Inc. 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 low-income housing tax credits 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, Inc. that, when completed, will offer 21 studio and one-bedroom units. All units will be restricted for veterans earning less than 80% of AMI, with 12 units further restricted for veterans earning less than 50% of AMI. Six units will be reserved for veterans earning less than 30% of 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.
Aurora Apartments Redevelopment (Worcester): Nonprofit sponsor The Community Builders (TCB) will rehabilitate the Aurora Apartments, which, when complete, will feature 85 studios for individuals earning less than 60% of AMI. Thirty studios will be reserved for individuals earning less than 30% of AMI and, in some cases, transitioning from homelessness. In addition to services available in the surrounding downtown neighborhood, the sponsor will offer on-site services to the residents of Aurora Apartments. DHCD will support the project – currently occupied – with low-income housing tax credits and subsidy funds. The City of Worcester also will provide funds of its own to support Aurora Apartments.