Valley CDC gets $2.1 million for housing

By OWEN BOSS
Staff Writer

NORTHAMPTON — Gov. Deval Patrick announced Friday that the state will invest $153.9 million toward the completion of 26 affordable-housing projects in 17 communities across Massachusetts — $2.1 million of which will support Valley Community Development Corp. projects in Northampton.

The first project, paid for by $650,000 in state and $500,000 in federal HOME funding, will create 10 new affordable-housing units, five specifically for homeless individuals, as single room occupancy units on lower King Street.

The second, which utilizes $950,000 in state finds, will rehabilitate 11 affordable units at The Maples Apartments on Maple street, with four targeted to house currently homeless local people.

According to Patrick, when completed, the 26 projects will create or preserve 1,305 rental homes, 1,147 of which will be affordable to low-and moderate-income working families and individuals, including 144 units set aside for families making the transition to permanent housing from homelessness.

“This is a great example of government and the private sector coming together to help get people back to work — here in New Bedford and around the commonwealth,” Gov. Patrick said at a press conference in New Bedford. “With the indispensable help of the entire congressional delegation, we are creating jobs today and building affordable communities for working people tomorrow.”

Also endorsing the funding for affordable housing was Sen. John Kerry, who said recent economic woes in the Bay State have translated to tough times for state residents.

“Working families across Massachusetts have taken a severe beating from the lousy economy and below-freezing temperatures. This investment will help deliver affordable housing to those struggling most to keep a roof over their heads in the dead of winter. I’m grateful the Patrick administration is committed to working with Congress to address this urgent housing problem,” Kerry said in a statement.

In addition to the two projects in Northampton, funding will support developments in Acton, Auburn, Beverly, Boston (seven projects), Fall River, Falmouth, Gloucester, Ipswich, Harvard, Lawrence, Lowell (two projects), Marion, New Bedford (two projects), Quincy, Spencer and Worcester, according to release.

Owen Boss can be reached at oboss@gazettenet.com.