$46M in funding will produce or preserve supportive housing for vulnerable Massachusetts residents

GLOUCESTER - On May 20, 2024, Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll and Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Ed Augustus announced seven supportive housing projects will receive?$7.4 million in low-income housing tax credits and $38.5 million in subsidy funds for a total commitment of $46 million. The seven projects will produce or preserve 280 units of supportive housing for families, seniors, chronically homeless individuals, and other vulnerable residents. The awardees are located in Boston, Gloucester, Lowell, Quincy, Revere, Rowley and Somerville. 

Supportive housing is housing that has easy access to services, such as health care, mental health or addiction treatment to help support older adults, those transitioning out of chronic homelessness or other vulnerable people.  

“These seven housing projects will help hundreds of Massachusetts seniors and families access affordable housing that supports their full range of needs, such as health care, community resources, prepared meals, social activities and overall, a sense of stability and community,” said Governor Healey. “Our administration is proud to support projects like these through our Affordable Homes Act and last year’s tax cuts package.” 

Today’s announcement took place in Gloucester at City Hall, right around the corner from the historic Pattillo Building project, an award recipient. Last fall, as part of a $1 billion tax relief signed by the governor, the Administration raised the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit to $60 million annually – a $20 million increase over the previous year. The increase has created the opportunity to build more housing and a more affordable and equitable Massachusetts.  

“We are expanding housing opportunities so more people can be housed, and get the services they need to stay housed,” said Lieutenant Governor Driscoll. “The Healey-Driscoll Administration is committed to creating housing opportunities for people at all income levels.”   

Coupled with Administration’s historic $4.1 billion Affordable Homes Act housing bond bill which will establish the first-ever Supportive Housing Pool Fund to fund the wrap-around services associated with supportive housing, the Healey-Driscoll administration is committed to providing support services to our residents who need it most. 

“Supportive housing is a powerful force to lift up our most vulnerable residents and give them the tools they need to not just survive but to thrive,” said Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Ed Augustus. “We look forward to seeing the Affordable Homes Act across the finish line this year and create even more much-needed supportive housing opportunities.” 

Of the 280 units, 256 will be affordable to residents earning less than 60% of AMI.? One hundred forty-nine units will be further restricted for residents earning less than 30%?of AMI and, in some cases, transitioning from homelessness.?  

Today’s announcement was part of the administration’s statewide Housing Campaign to call attention to the urgent need to lower housing costs throughout Massachusetts. Events last week included highlighting the MBTA’s efforts to support transit-oriented development and celebrating our community developers. Prior events focused on identifying housing solutions with the business industry, ending veteran homelessness, the impact of housing on health care, the importance of investing in the state’s public housing and the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s partnership with cities and towns to find housing solutions. 

The awardees include:  

Pattillo Building in Gloucester is a historic adaptive re-use project located near the main business district. When rehabilitation work is completed, the project will offer 29?total units for individuals. Twenty-eight of the units will be restricted for individuals earning less than 30% of AMI and, in some cases, transitioning from homelessness.? 

New Hope?4 in Lowell is a new construction addition to an existing family homeless shelter.? When completed, New Hope?4 will offer eight?two-bedroom and three-bedroom units for homeless families.?  

Midwinter Apartments in Quincy is a demolition/new construction project.? When completed, the project will feature 34?new studios for homeless individuals. 

110 Ocean in Revere is a new construction project. When completed, the project will offer affordable units for families as well as group-home units for clients of the state Department of Mental Health.? In total, the project will include 56 units.?  

Windward Senior Supportive in Rowley is a new construction project. When completed, the project will offer 20?affordable one-bedroom units, as well as supportive services for seniors.? All 20?units will be income-restricted for seniors. 

259 Lowell Street in Somerville is a preservation/rehabilitation project for seniors. The project includes 97?units of senior housing, of which 73?units will be income-restricted for seniors. 

McDevitt Senior Homes in South Boston is an adaptive re-use/new construction project. The project will feature 36?affordable one-bedroom units, with supportive services, for seniors.