BOSTON – December 2, 2020 – MassHousing has awarded a total of $391,164 in grant funding to help create or modernize 119 affordable sober housing units in Boston, Framingham, Westfield, Springfield, Gardner and Worcester, while providing support services to women in recovery in Boston, Lynn, Leeds and Brockton.
The grants come from the Center for Community Recovery Innovations, Inc. (CCRI), a nonprofit subsidiary corporation of MassHousing that helps nonprofits create or preserve affordable sober housing in Massachusetts for individuals in recovery.
To date, CCRI has awarded more than $12 million in grants for the creation or preservation of nearly 2,600 units of substance-free housing, in 54 communities, serving recovery populations that include men, women, families, veterans, the homeless and ex-offenders.
"The COVID-19 pandemic has created more challenges for residents around the Commonwealth who are working to overcome the grip of addiction," said MassHousing Executive Director Chrystal Kornegay. "These CCRI grants will provide critical funding to help some of the Commonwealth's most vulnerable citizens have a safe, sober home, which is one of the most important factors in achieving successful outcomes for people struggling with substance misuse."
CCRI grant awards:
South Middlesex Non-Profit Housing Corporation, Framingham, $51,675
MassHousing grant funds will help rehabilitate and preserve 11 single-room occupancy (SRO) units for young men in recovery.
Victory Programs, Boston, $14,569
Grant funds will help renovate and preserve 25 units of sober housing for men in recovery in Dorchester.
EMH Recovery, Brockton, $20,000
Grant funds will help convert an unused utility garage into a fitness facility for 60 women in recovery at three sober homes in Brockton.
Mental Health Association, Westfield and Springfield, $57,420
Grant funds will help renovate and preserve 15 units of SRO housing for men and women in Westfield and Springfield.
Self Esteem Boston Educational Institute, Boston, Lynn and Leeds, $22,500
Grant funds will help deliver support services and skills to manage life obstacles for women veterans in Leeds and to women and children in Boston and Lynn, to foster successful tenancies.
GAAMHA, Inc., Gardner, $75,000
Grant funds will help acquire and renovate a large house and farm property to create 16 units of sober housing for men in Gardner.
Elizabeth Stone House, Boston, $75,000
Grant funds will help cover costs from COVID-19 construction delays for 32 new sober apartments at the Elizabeth Stone House in Roxbury.
Jeremiah's Inn, Worcester, $75,000
Grants funds will help acquire and rehabilitate a multi-family house to create 20 new units of sober housing for men in Worcester.
About CCRI
The Center for Community Recovery Innovations, Inc., issues an annual Request for Proposals (RFP) to solicit projects for funding. The proposals that are selected need to meet CCRI's current priorities and eligibility categories. The grants are typically used as one-time gap funding for capital projects that increase or improve the stock of affordable sober housing in Massachusetts. Other proposals that provide services for residents in MassHousing-financed rental housing, specifically those that address alcohol and/or drug abuse or addiction, are also considered for funding. CCRI grant recipients must be 501c3 non-profit organizations and matching funds must be provided. All proposals and applicant qualifications are stringently reviewed and vetted by MassHousing.
About MassHousing
MassHousing (The Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency) is an independent, quasi-public agency created in 1966 and charged with providing financing for affordable housing in Massachusetts. The Agency raises capital by selling bonds and lends the proceeds to low- and moderate-income homebuyers and homeowners, and to developers who build or preserve affordable and/or mixed-income rental housing. MassHousing does not use taxpayer dollars to sustain its operations, although it administers some publicly funded programs on behalf of the Commonwealth. Since its inception, MassHousing has provided more than $25 billion for affordable housing. For more information, follow us on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.
###
