In a major push to alleviate the housing crisis in Massachusetts, Governor Maura Healey and Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll have unveiled a substantial $182 million investment to generate 1,245 new rental homes for low-income residents. As detailed by Mass.gov, these funds are expected to not only create but also preserve affordable living spaces across the state, aiding vulnerable communities including seniors and those transitioning out of homelessness.
The Healey-Driscoll administration, since its inception in January 2023, has been continually pumping resources into housing, having fostered a total of 6,071 affordable rental units to date. In a statement obtained by Mass.gov, Governor Healey highlighted the range of apartments being developed, “helping seniors age independently and close to their families and helping workers afford to live in the communities where their jobs are.” A good portion of the funding, earmarked specifically for the development projects, was sourced from the Affordable Homes Act and Healey’s tax cuts package, which increased the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit to $60 million annually.
Massachusetts has seen a concerted collaborative effort from government bodies, private developers, and community organizations to bring these housing projects to life, offering creative and varied solutions to the diverse housing needs across the state. These developments range from rehabilitated public housing to new, inclusive communities designed with environmental resilience in mind, like the transit-oriented Waterfield Commons planned next to the Winchester MBTA station…