Plans for the construction of much-needed affordable housing in Beverly and Ipswich have received a boost from the state, which is investing $153.9 million statewide in the construction of new rental units.
The program, announced by Gov. Deval Patrick and Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray in New Bedford last Friday, leverages some of the state's share of federal stimulus money to create or preserve 1,147 affordable dwellings, including 144 that will be set aside for families like those living in Danvers' highway motels who are attempting to transition from homelessness to permanent housing.
Patrick noted that in addition to the new housing units, the program will create hundreds of construction jobs.
A major beneficiary of the programs is the Holcroft Park Homes project in Beverly. The North Shore YMCA and Beverly Affordable Housing Coalition are partnering to turn the recently-demolished Mayflower Motel at the intersection of Cabot and Elliott streets into 43 affordable units.
Business and civic leaders have expressed much enthusiasm for this project, which will provide homes for needy individuals, some of them recently homeless and some with mental illness. The new building will also beautify this key corner within the corridor that links the Cummings Center with downtown Beverly.
"The coalition formed to get the project ready included neighbors, housing groups, the YMCA, United Way, human service organizations the Police Department, the city and the state," state Rep. Mary Grant, D-Beverly, observed. "It has been several long years holding it together during a disastrous economy. Congratulations to all ... who had the vision and stuck it out."
It's been an even longer and more difficult journey for the proponents of the Powder House Village affordable housing project near the intersection of Routes 1A and 133 in Ipswich. But the more than $8 million the North Shore YMCA is receiving from the state in tax credit exchange funds finally puts it over the "last hurdle," according to the Y's CEO, Jack Meany. He hopes to break ground on the 48 units of affordable housing this summer.
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