Massachusetts has awarded $64.5 million for affordable housing and tax credits to support construction of developments across the state, Gov. Deval Patrick announced on Monday.
“We want Massachusetts to be a place where people put down roots, raise their families and do business, and that’s why expanding affordable housing opportunities remains a top priority,” Patrick said of the initiative in a statement.
The development projects will create an estimated 1,500 construction jobs, according to a government press release. Over a thousand rental units will be built or preserved, with about 977 of them geared toward low and moderate income working families and about 190 for families transitioning from homelessness.
“Funding for over 1,000 affordable housing options and the resulting 1,500 construction jobs is great news for the Commonwealth,” said Sen. Scott Brown in a statement. “Infrastructure projects like this are deserving of high praise, as many families will have a roof over their heads, and many more will earn a paycheck.”
Funding will support construction operations in Arlington, Boston, Cambridge and Somerville, among others.
Condor Havre Apartments in East Boston, Quincy Heights in Boston and Temple Place in Cambridge are three of the 25 housing complexes that are receiving funds.
The East Boston Community Development Corporation will use $945,000 in housing subsidies to create seven units of affordable housing for formerly homeless families as part of the Condor Havre Apartments. The units will be reserved for extremely low-income households and will accept Section 8 vouchers.
The Dorchester Bay Economic Development Corporation and the Quincy Geneva Housing Corporation will use $1,985,000 in federal low-income housing tax credits and $1,500,000 in housing subsidies to revamp and construct 129 affordable units, 13 of which will be reserved for extremely low-income households at Quincy Heights.
Temple Palace will receive $752,300 in federal low-income housing tax credits and $2,450,000 in housing subsidies to build 42 affordable units for families. At least four units will be built for extremely low-income families participating in a “Moving to Work” program with the Cambridge Housing Authority.
“Creating safe and affordable housing opportunities for all of our residents is something we must always be looking to do, but this effort takes on additional urgency during difficult economic periods where increasing numbers of people are at risk,” said Rep. Niki Tsongas, of Acton, in a statement.
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