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The Baker-Polito administration has announced this year's affordable rental housing awards.
$57 million in direct subsidies will go towards developing or renovating 19 projects throughout Massachusetts. It will also be allocating $33 million in tax credits to support creation and preservation of nearly 1,500 housing units.
"These rental housing awards are part of the Baker-Polito administration's commitment to strengthening communities by creating opportunities for more housing that meets the needs of households and neighborhoods across Massachusetts," the Governor said, in a statement. "We look forward to continuing to work closely with our municipal and state partners to increase affordable housing production to maintain the vibrancy of communities, attract and retain a talented workforce, and lift up our most vulnerable populations."
The awards come from both state bond funds and federal HOME funds and will go towards supporting affordable, multifamily rental projects, Baker said.
"The diverse array of awards represents the varied needs of our Commonwealth, and we are thrilled to support 19 high-impact projects that will provide much-need new housing, and maintain our current stock of affordable housing," said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito in a statement.
Read about which communities received awards below. Information comes from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development.
Boston will see four different projects funded as a result of the awards.
25 Amory Street will be a 44-unit project that will be located in Jamaica Plain neighborhood, not far from the Jackson Square MBTA station. All units will be affordable to households earning less than 60% of AMI. 14 of those units will be held for households earning less than 30% of AMI and who are transitioning from homelessness. The project is sponsored by Jamaica Plain NCD.
Four Corners will be a 31-unit project for low income seniors located in the city's Dorchester neighborhood. 19 of its units will be held for extremely low-income seniors with incomes below 30% of AMI. The project is sponsored by the Codman Square Development Corporation.
Hearth at Four Corners will be a 54-unit project designed for low income seniors also located in the city's Dorchester neighborhood. 19 of the project's units will be held for extremely low-income seniors with incomes below 30% of AMI. The project is sponsored by the non-profit Hearth.
Old Colony Phase 3A - Award 1 + 2. Two different awards will go to redeveloping this public housing project located in South Boston. The project is sponsored by Beacon Communities.
The city of Cambridge will see two different housing projects receive funding.
Frost Terrace will be a 40-unit transit-oriented housing project designed for families. The project will be constructed within one block of the Porter Square MBTA/commuter rail station for easy access to transportation. Retail and service opportunities will be available in the immediate neighborhood, according to the Baker administration. All of the project's units will be held for families earning less than 60 percent of AMI. Four units will be held for households earning less than 30 percent of AMI. The project is sponsored by Capstone Communities.
Squirrelwood is an already existing 88-unit housing project. Renovations will see the project provide 78 affordable units, eight of which will be held for households earning less than 30 percent of AMI. The project is sponsored by the non-profit Just-A-Start, though it was originally financed by MassHousing through the Chapter 13A program.
Shirley Commons is a 58-unit new construction project for seniors to be built on the Fort Devens site. The sponsor is the non-profit Women's Institute for Housing and Economic Development. All 58 units will be restricted for seniors earning less than 60 percent of AMI, with 15 units restricted for seniors earning less than 30 percent of AMI. DHCD will support Shirley Commons with Low Income Housing Tax Credits and subsidy funds. The sponsor will offer support services for the tenants.
Bentley Apartments is a 45-unit new construction project for families in Great Barrington. The sponsor is the non-profit Community Development Corporation of South Berkshire. All 45 units in the completed project will be reserved for households earning less than 60% of AMI, with 21 units reserved for households earning less than 30% of AMI. DHCD will support Bentley Apartments with Low Income Housing Tax Credits and subsidy funds. The Town of Great Barrington will provide additional Community Preservation Act funds to the project.
Lyman Terrace Phase II is the second phase of the comprehensive redevelopment of the Lyman Terrace public housing development in Holyoke. The sponsor is the non-profit The Community Builders (TCB). The completed project will offer 79 units of family housing reserved for households earning less than 60% of AMI, with 16 units reserved for households earning less than 30% of AMI. DHCD will support this phase of Lyman Terrace with Low Income Housing Tax Credits and subsidy funds. The Baker-Polito Administration has previously supporting the redevelopment through affordable housing awards and the MassWorks Infrastructure Program. The City of Holyoke will provide additional subsidy to the project.
