Patrick Administration Announces $25.8 Million to Build or Preserve 694 Housing Units- June 14, 2013

Boston – June 14, 2013 – Culminating Commonwealth Housing Week and continuing the Patrick Administration’s commitment to improving housing infrastructure to support growth and opportunity throughout the state, the Department of Housing and Community Development today announced $25.8 million in affordable housing resources and tax credits for nine developments in seven communities. In all, the nine projects across Massachusetts will create 694 units of housing and an estimated 600 construction jobs.

“Creating affordable housing helps to generate jobs, grow local businesses and strengthen our communities” said Governor Deval Patrick. “Government’s role is to help people help themselves, and sustainable affordable housing will build a better Commonwealth for generations to come.”

The $25.8 million includes more than $3.8 million in federal low-income housing tax credits, $4.6 million in state low-income housing tax credits and $17.2 million in state and federal housing program subsidies.

Of the 694 units, 644 will be affordable to low- and moderate-income individuals and households, with 125 units reserved for homeless families or individuals.

“The Patrick Administration has taken a comprehensive approach to housing in the Commonwealth that prioritizes permanent solutions that lead to stable, appropriate housing,” said Aaron Gornstein, Undersecretary for the Department of Housing and Community Development and Chair of the Interagency Council on Housing and Homelessness. “By committing to expanding and improving affordable housing stock in Massachusetts, we are reducing homelessness and creating new opportunities for families.”

Improving the housing stock at all levels is a priority for the Patrick Administration. In November, Governor Patrick announced a goal of creating 10,000 multi-family units of housing per year through 2020, the first production goal of this kind set by any state in the country. Along with creating new housing, the Administration has made significant investments in the Commonwealth’s public housing stock, by preserving and improving the 46,000 housing units in the system through increased capital funding, increased operating subsidies, and changes in management of those resources.

Since 2009, the Patrick Administration worked with the Legislature and Congress to direct over $700 million in federal and state tax credits and state housing program subsidies to projects that improve the state's affordable housing, create jobs and build stronger communities. These investments have generated more than 14,000 jobs and 10,000 homes.

Funding, which is administered by the Department of Housing and Community Development, will support the following projects:

Roxbury Multi-Service Family House, Boston: The non-profit Roxbury Multi-Service Center will rehabilitate a property located on Columbus Avenue into eight units of housing for families currently living in shelters or overflow facilities. The non-profit developer also will provide extensive services to the families as they make the transition from homelessness to housing. In addition to DHCD’s subsidy, the City of Boston also is providing funds to this project.

Upham’s Corner Residential: The non-profit sponsor Planning Office for Urban Affairs (POUA) will demolish a former school building and construct 47 units of affordable rental housing, of which 25 percent or 12 units will be set aside as permanent housing for formerly homeless families. This development also will include a community room and space for supportive service and management offices. St. Mary’s Center for Women and Children, a co-sponsor, will provide and/or arrange for services to the families. The City of Boston also is providing funds to this project.

Walnut Avenue Apartments, Boston: The non-profit sponsor Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Development Corporation (JPNDC) will rehabilitate an underused property near Mission Hill into 30 studio units for homeless individuals. It is expected that all units will be reserved for individuals earning less than 30 percent of the area median income. A health care center will be located on the ground floor of the property and will available to the tenants who move into the rehabilitated upper floors. Other services also will be available to the tenants. The City of Boston also is funding this project.

Duley House, Cambridge: The non-profit sponsor Heading Home Inc. will rehabilitate an existing property into 14 single-room occupancy units for chronically homeless women. The sponsor has extensive experience working with this population and will provide supportive services to the women who occupy the property. The City of Cambridge is helping fund this project.

Bellingham Hill Family Homes, Chelsea: The Neighborhood Developers (TND) is sponsoring this seven-unit project in downtown Chelsea. Four units will be new construction on Shawmut Street, with three additional units preserved in an existing building on Liberty Street. Six of the seven units will serve families earning less than 30 percent of area median income. DHCD anticipates that homeless families will occupy the four new construction units as well as one or two of the preservation units. The City of Chelsea also is providing funds to this important project.

Notantico Woods, Falmouth: The non-profit sponsor Falmouth Housing Corporation will redevelop a foreclosed property located between Falmouth and Woods Hole into 11 units of affordable housing. As part of the project, the sponsor will provide at least three homeless units for families, either at the Notantico property or in a nearby property. The sponsor will provide services, as needed, to all families associated with the project. The Cape Cod Commission is supporting this project.

Veterans Retreat, Shrewsbury: The non-profit Worcester Veterans Inc. will rehabilitate an underutilized facility in Shrewsbury into 35 units for homeless veterans. The sponsor is highly experienced in working with this population and will provide extensive on-site and off-site services to the new tenants.

Center and Main Street Phase 1B, Brockton: Trinity Financial is the developer of the second phase of this important family housing project located near the commuter rail station in downtown Brockton. DHCD already has awarded funding to the first phase of the project. With additional state housing tax credits and DHCD subsidy funds, the second phase can proceed simultaneously with the first phase (thus generating overall cost efficiencies for the project). This second phase of Center Main features 42 affordable rental units for families.

Colonial Estates, Springfield: Beacon Communities is the developer of this large-scale preservation project. With DHCD’s award of $2.5 million in state housing tax credits and $2 million in Trust funds, Beacon will rehabilitate 500 units of family housing in this project and maintain the affordability of the units for many more years. Beacon has been working with the Department for several years to place homeless families in this project.