PEABODY — The Housing Authority is getting federal help to ensure tenants and employees living in and maintaining its nearly-400 units have childcare, transportation and medical assistance as the coronavirus continues.
Federal housing officials gave the authority $97,000 this month to ensure landlords continue to participate in the authority’s housing voucher program even as the pandemic’s economic impact continues to leave tenants and property owners unemployed or facing difficulties paying rent.
The money will also help the authority pay for cleaning services required to limit the pandemic’s spreading in housing voucher units and authority property common areas.
Federal money to help the authority comes from a $17.8 million allocation to authorities across Massachusetts.
“Our Massachusetts public housing agencies have been on the front lines in helping those most in need during this pandemic. We appreciate and applaud their work,” said David Tille, federal Housing and Urban Development New England regional administrator.
The authority oversees housing units at a dozen locations across Peabody, including Veterans Memorial Drive, Tanners Court, Jacobs Street, Wilson Terrace, Eastman Park and Central Street.
Properties range in size from four one-bedroom and 22 two-bedroom residences on Andover Drive to 59 units, including 12 congregate housing units, at 75 Central St.
The most recent federal aid to the Authority follows $6.9 million in grant funding from HUD awarded in early August to help local authorities support affordable housing for extremely low-income persons with disabilities.
Nationally, the award supports up to five years of rental assistance for 2,400 housing units currently participating in project rental assistance through HUD’s Section 811 Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities program.
The award dovetails with services provided by Peabody Housing Authority and other authorities because it includes money for low-income people who suffer from a disability so they can have access to safe, sanitary, accessible, and affordable rental homes, as well as the supportive services they need to live independently.
The funds were awarded to state housing agencies that are working closely with state Medicaid and Health and Human Services counterparts to identify, refer, and conduct outreach to persons with disabilities who also require long-term services to live independently.
“These awards showcase the critical partnership between HUD and state agencies to reach and support this vulnerable population,” said Assistant Secretary for Housing and Federal Housing Commissioner Dana Wade. “This funding is going directly to those who have the experience and knowledge at the local level to effectively reach those most in need.”
Thor Jourgensen can be reached at [email protected]
