LYNN — The Baker-Polito Administration this week awarded more than $31 million in direct subsidies, tax credits, and housing vouchers to support the development and preservation of 11 housing facilities in Massachusetts.
The funding will benefit Lynn’s Catalyst Housing project, which will serve homeless and/or extremely low‑income individuals in the city, and the Lynn Emergency shelter.
“Building and preserving supportive housing is a critical part of ensuring a healthy housing market that meets the diverse needs of our Commonwealth,” said Gov. Charlie Baker in a statement Wednesday. “We are pleased to direct state and federal funds to bolster the pipeline of housing projects and provide stable housing options for all households.”
Each year, the Department of Housing and Community Development works with the Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation to distribute capital funds and project-based housing vouchers to pay for supportive services through a process administered by the agency’s Supportive Housing for Vulnerable Populations program. These supportive services support veterans, older adults, persons with disabilities, individuals and families who have experienced homelessness, as well as unaccompanied youth.
With this newly announced funding, DHCD will support the Catalyst Housing project with low-income housing tax credits and subsidy funds.
Sponsored by the nonprofit Harborlight Community Partners, Inc. and working with The Haven Project, Inc., the Catalyst Housing Project will offer 24 studio units, with 23 units reserved for homeless individuals, including youth and young adults, once construction is complete. Harborlight Community Partners, Inc. will also offer extensive support services to the new residents of Catalyst Housing.
DHCD will support the Lynn Emergency Shelter by providing its nonprofit sponsor, the Lynn Shelter Association, with subsidy funds as it rehabs the Lynn Emergency Shelter to offer 40 beds for homeless adults with extensive support services for residents.
The City of Lynn will also support both projects with funds of its own.
In the midst of Massachusetts’ ongoing housing crisis, Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy said it is critical to build and preserve permanent supportive housing that meets the needs of the most vulnerable residents.
“Housing has been a key area of focus for the Baker-Polito Administration since day one, and we are continuing that commitment now by directing $31 million to support 11 housing projects from Springfield to Boston,” Kennealy said.
Since 2015, the Baker-Polito Administration has invested more than $1.4 billion in the affordable housing ecosystem, resulting in the production and preservation of more than 22,000 housing units, including more than 19,000 affordable units across the Commonwealth.
In 2018, Baker signed the largest housing bond bill in Massachusetts history, committing more than $1.8 billion to the future of affordable housing production and preservation.
In 2021, Baker signed an economic development Legislation that includes substantial new funding for affordable and climate-resilient housing, as well as targeted zoning reforms to advance new housing production.
In April, the Baker-Polito Administration filed a $3.5 million economic development bill, including nearly $300 million in additional bond authorization for public housing and affordable rental housing development.
“These awards will provide vital housing resources in cities and towns across our state, and we are proud to support the creation of new shelter and permanent housing units this year,” said Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito. “We are grateful to our partners across the Commonwealth for dedicating their expertise to our most vulnerable populations.”
Allysha Dunnigan can be reached at [email protected].
