LYNN — This year, Lynn Housing Authority & Neighborhood Development began an unprecedented investment in its elderly public housing infrastructure by renovating the M. Henry Wall Plaza.
With the infusion of $900,000 received from the American Rescue Plan Act, LHAND is able to provide improvements for its elderly federal property, Wall Plaza, and multiple state properties.
The project is also funded by The Department of Housing and Urban Development.
“The city is proud to have provided LHAND ARPA funds that transform housing in the city, such as Wall Plaza and other state properties, by ensuring vital upgrades and enhanced living conditions for our elderly residents,” Nicholson said. “This investment reflects our commitment to improving quality of life and creating safer, more comfortable homes for those who have given so much to our community.”
Renovations will include the modernization of kitchens, bathrooms, and floors of 128 units in the development.
The plaza has been home to seniors since 1967. With this renovation, LHAND will ensure that it continues to be a safe and clean residence for seniors in the years to come.
“We are fortunate to have a Mayor and City Council who believe that improving and modernizing our senior properties is worth the investment,” LHAND’s Director of Procurement Charles Mihos. “Wall Plaza and LHAND’s state properties have served as an elderly and non-elderly/disabled residence for nearly sixty years with a vibrant community who takes pride in the development.”
Mihos added the capital funding received from the Department of Housing and Urban Development.paired with the ARPA funds received from the state “can ensure that Wall Plaza and its state properties remain safe and attractive destinations for its senior population.”
Along with the federal elderly site, LHAND continues to invest in and improve its state public housing developments.
This past year LHAND was able to replace the roofs at its three buildings located at its Essex & Tilton site. In addition to the roofs, twelve cantilevered entrance canopies were replaced as part of the project.
LHAND will also soon begin new siding and window replacement projects at two of its 705 state family properties located at 72 Neptune Street and 19 President Street.
LHAND secured ARPA funding through the city in the amount of $500,000 for these capital improvements.
“The additional ARPA funds for improvements to these important elderly properties will have a huge impact to the quality of life for hundreds of our elderly and disabled residents, and it was made possible by Mayor Nicholson and the City Council,” said LHAND Executive Director Charles Gaeta. “We are constantly exploring new funding opportunities in order to improve the infrastructure at all our properties and this investment will be critical as we continue to house some of our most vulnerable population.”
Additionally, with the help of the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) LHAND was able to secure state ARPA funding to replace fire alarm systems and smoke detectors at the majority of its state properties in the amount of $736,544.
In addition to the ARPA funds, LHAND will also continue seeking funding through the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s The Affordable Homes Act. The act is a $4 billion dollar investment plan aimed to jumpstart housing production, foster housing stability, and invest in a more livable future for communities across the Commonwealth.
