BOSTON – December 17, 2021 – MassHousing has awarded a total of $627,350 in grant funding to create 46 new affordable sober housing units and preserve and additional 35 sober homes for men, women, families and senior citizens in eight communities.
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 $13 million in grants for the creation or preservation of more than 2,700 units of substance-free housing, in 54 communities, serving recovery populations that include men, women, families, veterans, the homeless and ex-offenders.
"People in recovery from substance use have been particularly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and these CCRI grants will positively impact those working to overcome addiction," said MassHousing Executive Director Chrystal Kornegay. "MassHousing is pleased to provide this resource for sober housing for men, women, families and senior citizens in communities across the Commonwealth."
The CCRI grants include:
South Middlesex Non-Profit Housing Corporation, Worcester, $14,750
MassHousing grant funds will help rehabilitate 19 single-room occupancy units of affordable sober housing for women at Pax House in Worcester.
Victory Programs, Inc., Boston, $25,000
Grant funds will be used for startup costs for the Victory Connector, a new program to provide services for individuals at Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard in Boston.
Dismas House, Oakham, $125,000
Grant funding will help construct six new affordable housing units for families and individuals.
Mental Health Association, Springfield, $75,000
Grant funds will help acquire and rehabilitate the eight-unit Able House for men in Springfield.
Self Esteem Boston Educational Institute, $23,600
Grant funds will help support new resiliency and recovery support services, and job-readiness skills for women in recovery in Boston, Lynn and Springfield.
Allston-Brighton Community Development Corporation, Boston, $75,000
Grant funds will help create 14 new affordable sober housing units for individuals in advanced recovery in Allston.
Lowell House, Lowell, $75,000
Grant funds will help renovate a carriage house, creating two affordable sober housing units for women at Saving Grace in Lowell.
Partners in Housing, Dartmouth, $75,000
Grant funds will help create 10 new sober housing units for senior citizens with mental health needs at Mendes Monteiro House in Dartmouth.
North Star Family Services, Leominster, $125,000
Grant funds will help create 14 units of affordable supportive housing for families in Leominster.
Gandara Center, Springfield, $14,000
Grant funds will help renovate eight units of affordable sober housing for men at Miracle House in Springfield.
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 $27.5 billion for affordable housing. For more information, follow us on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.
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