Brewer and Andrews Announce Funding for Affordable Housing and Job Creation in MA

(Boston) – Senator Stephen M. Brewer (D-Barre) and Representative Denise Andrews (D-Orange) announced today that Dial Self Orange Teen Housing has been awarded $1.3 million in housing subsidies from the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development to preserve nine units of affordable housing for the Youth Aging Out of the Foster Care program. The project is expected to create 11 jobs.

The funding is part of a $105 million statewide investment that will build or preserve 2,196 housing units and create an estimated 3,000 construction jobs across Massachusetts.

“Affordable housing, especially for our residents most in need, is essential to strengthening our communities and helping people to become established and rebuild our economy,” said Brewer.  “DIAL/SELF is critical to serving the youth that will go on to shape the future of the Commonwealth.  As we continue to make a modest recovery from the national recession, it is critical to continue to make investments in projects like this one that put people to work.”

“I am thrilled that the DIAL/SELF project was selected and this significant investment is being made in downtown Orange to provide quality affordable housing to area youth in need,” shared Representative Andrews. “This investment will help restore lives and living conditions of our youth in need as well as restore an historical building in our downtown. It also brings support to local construction jobs, existing businesses and service providers that are keeping our downtown alive and growing. DIAL/SELF has a track record of success, providing stable, supported housing for young people as they transition to adulthood. Downtown Orange will certainly benefit from this fully renovated property, providing affordable housing units and contributing to property tax revenue for the town.”

“DIAL/SELF is very excited to be awarded $1.3 Million. This will result in nine units of very affordable housing for homeless young adults and increase the program space in the building,” shared Starr Pinkos, DIAL/SELF Board President.

“Hundreds of North Quabbin at-risk youth will be better served each year by DIAL/SELF because of this renovated facility, and over the next decade 60-90 homeless youth will benefit from the nine supported housing units in the building,” explained David Voegele, DIAL/SELF Executive Director.

The $105 million statewide investment includes more than $23 million in federal low-income housing tax credits; $20 million in state low-income housing tax credits and $61 million in state and federal housing program subsidies.

Of the 2,196 units, 2,062 of which will be affordable to low and moderate income working families and individuals -- including 279 for extremely low-income families and individuals.

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Posted: Thu, May 10, 2012
Updated Thu, May 10, 2012