Baker-Polito Administration Visits Homeownership Project in Everett, Highlights $1 Billion Housing Plan Using Federal Funds

EVERETT – The Baker Polito Administration today teamed up with community officials and community leaders in Everett to celebrate the progress of the renovation of St. Therese parish property into new homes for families and seniors. The project is backed by the government’s CommonWealth Builder Initiative, which aims to connect families with home ownership opportunities so that they can build wealth, especially in communities of color. The government highlighted its proposal to invest $ 1 billion in housing initiatives like CommonWealth Builder $ 2.9 billion plans to invest a portion of Massachusetts federal funds from the American Rescue Plan Act on urgent priorities to support colored communities and low-income workers.

“Our administration is proud to support the work on the former St. Therese property in Everett because we know the difference these new homes will make in people’s lives.” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Our proposal to invest $ 1 billion in residential real estate priorities and use a portion of Massachusetts federal funds would allow the CommonWealth Builder program to make an even bigger impact as we seek to bring more families with home ownership and opportunity to combine for long-term wealth accumulation. Through these investments, we can accelerate an equitable recovery, support those hardest hit by the pandemic, and create real and lasting change in communities across Massachusetts. ”

“New homes create stronger communities, and the St. Therese redevelopment is a prime example of the types of housing we are looking to open up across Massachusetts.” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “Our administration has helped create and maintain 19,000 affordable homes and we now have a lot more to do. Thousands of new homes across the state are waiting to break the ground, and with $ 1 billion in federal reconstruction funding, we can create opportunities for the communities and residents hardest hit by the pandemic. “

The Neighborhood Developers is in the process of converting former church grounds into 77 new affordable rental homes with support services for the elderly and 6 townhouses to be sold to working families at affordable prices. It expects to accept applications for living in the apartments and terraced houses by the beginning of 2022.

The Neighborhood Developers builds affordable senior housing with affordable housing resources from the Commonwealth and with MassDevelopment funding. The East Boston Neighborhood Health Center will provide senior citizen services. The townhouses for sale are being developed as part of MassHousing’s CommonWealth Builder program, which is promoting new home ownership and wealth creation opportunities for first-time buyers in colorful communities.

The Baker-Polito administration is proposing to invest $ 1 billion in direct federal aid from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) in housing to help those hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and colored communities to help build wealth. Of that total, $ 500 million in federal funding would be used to expand home ownership opportunities in communities hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic by supporting first-time home buyers and expanding the CommonWealth Builder program. The government has also proposed investing $ 500 million in federal funds to create more affordable rental housing, including high-service rental units for seniors and veterans.

“Our housing crisis requires a strategy that will lead to more housing of all kinds across the Commonwealth.” said the Secretary of State for Housing and Economic Development Mike Kennealy. “MassHousing for the implementation of the CommonWealth Builder program enables us to target home ownership opportunities with families who have historically faced obstacles to home buying and the ability to build the wealth that comes with it.”

“The City of Everett is proud to have partnered with The Neighborhood Developers to build a development that features our affordable senior housing and first-time townhouses.” said Everett’s Mayor Carlo DeMaria. “The St. Therese site occupies a special place in the heart of our community, and we are proud to convert this site into a place that will continue to serve the community. I am grateful for the combined efforts of the Baker Polito Administration, Neighborhood Developers, MassHousing, Mass Development, and the East Boston Neighborhood Health Center to help the City of Everett continue our efforts to provide a home for all of our residents. “

“TND is grateful to be one of the earliest participants in the Commonwealth Builder program, which aims to overcome a history of exclusion and divestment by expanding home ownership opportunities in gateway communities like Everett.” said Steve Laferriere, Director of Real Estate Development for The Neighborhood Developers “With the six townhomes in St. Therese, we are taking a small step towards reducing the racial wealth gap by offering families the opportunity to become homeowners. At the same time, we also ensure that senior citizens can afford to age locally. We are grateful to the Baker Polito Administration, because none of this would be possible without their support and guidance. “

“MassHousing is excited to partner with The Neighborhood Developers and the City of Everett to bring new home ownership opportunities to first-time home buyers.” said MassHousing Executive Director Chrystal Kornegay. “We have the opportunity to make big, real change in communities across Massachusetts by addressing housing disparities in communities disproportionately affected by the pandemic.”

“The state’s housing shortage was a growing problem prior to COVID-19, but we saw the pandemic exacerbate the impact of that problem – especially for our most vulnerable residents.” said Dan Rivera., President and CEO of MassDevelopment. “So projects like this that will house more than 80 families and seniors are timely and important, and the Commonwealth needs to live up to this moment by creating more rental and home ownership across Massachusetts. MassDevelopment was proud to raise a $ 9.1 million tax-exempt bond to help The Neighborhood Developers create 33 affordable rental units here in St. Therese and we will continue to be a resource for construction and maintenance of housing in the communities that need them most. “

“I’m very excited to be here today and watch the progress of a highly anticipated project,” State Representative Joseph McGonagle said. “I think this condominium will be fantastic for Everett and I have had so many residents who have come forward and expressed their enthusiasm. I am grateful that we can convert the St. Therese grounds into a community residence to keep the Everett residents in Everett. Many thanks to Mayor DeMaria, The Neighborhood Developers, and Governor Charlie Baker for their work here today. “

“The pandemic has further demonstrated that general health and well-being are inextricably linked to housing and other non-medical factors.” said Manny Lopes, CEO of the East Boston Neighborhood Health Center. “With the support of Governor Baker, The City of Everett, The Neighborhood Developers and OppCo, we are excited to take this new, innovative complex in Everett one step closer to providing comprehensive services. With affordable housing and quality healthcare under one roof, the East Boston Neighborhood Health Center and our partners look forward to maximizing the impact on older adults in the community for decades to come. ”

The Baker-Polito administration originally proposed its plan to unite part of Massachusetts federal funds in June Haverhill event highlighting a CommonWealth Builder project. The administration initially started the CommonWealth Builder program with a $ 60 million investment in 2019. Learn more about the program.

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