BOSTON – March 10, 2020 – MassHousing has awarded a total of $249,450 in grant funding to help create or modernize 49 affordable sober housing units in Boston, Newburyport and Quincy, while also providing job training and services to homeless men and women in Boston.
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 $11 million in grants for the creation or preservation of nearly 2,400 units of substance-free housing, in 53 communities, serving recovery populations that include men, women, families, veterans, the homeless and ex-offenders.
"These CCRI grants help some of the Commonwealth’s most vulnerable citizens overcome the devastating effects of addiction," said MassHousing Executive Director Chrystal Kornegay. "Having a safe, sober home is one of the most important factors in achieving successful outcomes for people struggling with substance misuse."
CCRI grant awards:
Link House, Newburyport, $75,000
MassHousing grant funds will help acquire and renovate a property in Newburyport to create 16 new units of affordable sober housing for women. Newburyport Bank is a primary project financer.
NeighborWorks Housing Solutions, Quincy, $75,000
Grant funds will help created 18 new sober housing units in Quincy for extremely low-income men and women. Eastern Bank is a primary project financer.
St. Francis House, Boston, $25,000
Grant funds will provide start-up financing for training and support to homeless men and women for careers in pet care, while assisting these individuals to maintain their sobriety and recovery.
St. Mary’s Center for Women and Children, Boston, $74,450
Grant funds will help renovate and preserve 15 units of sober housing in Boston for pregnant and parenting teenagers. The scope of work includes flooring, ceilings, lighting, heating, bathrooms, door and window replacement and painting.
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 $24.3 billion for affordable housing. For more information, follow us on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.
