May 21, 2020

Massachusetts Public Housing Authorities Awarded Nearly $5 Million in Funding to Provide Rental Assistance for People with Disabilities

Washington, D.C. -  United States Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Edward J. Markey (D-MA), along with Representatives Richard E. Neal (D-MA-01), James P. McGovern (D-MA-02), Stephen F. Lynch (D-MA-08), William Keating (D-MA-09), Joseph P. Kennedy III (D-MA-04), Katherine Clark (D-MA-05), Seth Moulton (D-MA-06), Ayanna Pressley (D-MA-07) and Lori Trahan (D-MA-04), announced that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has awarded Massachusetts public housing authorities a total of $4,895,206 in new vouchers through the Mainstream Housing Choice Voucher Program that was authorized by Congress in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. 

This federal funding will provide rental assistance for non-elderly people with disabilities and was awarded to the following public housing authorities and organizations

  • Lowell Housing Authority - $193,027 
  • Boston Housing Authority - $1,013,445 
  • Cambridge Housing Authority - $414,213 
  • Chicopee Housing Authority - $23,987 
  • Taunton Housing Authority - $199,066 
  • Quincy Housing Authority - $756,640 
  • Brockton Housing Authority - $82,655 
  • Northampton Housing Authority - $37,604 
  • Somerville Housing Authority - $153,398 
  • Springfield Housing Authority - $194,250 
  • Falmouth Housing Authority - $134,897 
  • Plymouth Housing Authority - $115,570 
  • Amherst Housing Authority - $25,745 
  • Franklin County Regional Housing Authority - $20,510 
  • Yarmouth Housing Authority - $106,304 
  • Greenfield Housing Authority - $19,710 
  • Chelmsford Housing Authority - $168,025 
  • Mansfield Housing Authority - $40,271 
  • Milton Housing Authority - $139,835 
  • Sandwich Housing Authority - $277,855 
  • The Bridge of Central Massachusetts - $237,409 
  • Bridgewell - $165,787 
  • Community Teamwork, Inc. - $88,442 
  • Department of Housing & Community Development - $286,561

"Safe, stable, and affordable housing is a basic need for Americans - especially under the weight of this public health emergency," Senator Elizabeth Warren said. "These vouchers will go a long way towards helping Massachusetts residents with disabilities live safely and independently during this devastating pandemic." 

"No one should have to worry about having a roof over their head during this public health crisis. A home in which to feel safe and secure for persons with disabilities is a priority as we work to provide funding to our struggling Massachusetts cities and towns," said Senator Ed Markey. " It is critical that we ensure the most vulnerable in our society have access to affordable housing, and I will continue to fight for the resources they need."

"This fourth wave of funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will provide additional relief to those who rely on HUD's support for housing," said Chairman Richard E. Neal. "Non-senior individuals with disabilities will be the recipients of these important funds across the country and here in Chicopee, Springfield and across Franklin County. During this time of uncertainty, we must remain vigilant in ensuring those who are the most vulnerable in our society are cared for and that is exactly what this funding will do."

"As the coronavirus continues to magnify the social and economic injustices in our country, I'm glad that this funding will go towards helping people living with disabilities in Central and Western Massachusetts," said Congressman McGovern. "This relief money is good news, but too many people are still struggling and they rightfully expect and demand that Congress will be there for them. Last week, the House passed the Heroes Act, our next major coronavirus package, which would provide hundreds of billions of dollars' worth of relief money for housing and homelessness. I hope we can move this bill to the president's desk as quickly as possible so we can continue providing these essential grants to our communities during this crisis. In the meantime, I'm grateful for the teamwork of our delegation, and I'll keep fighting for much more help, emergency rental and mortgage assistance, and a nationwide stop on foreclosures for all Americans until this crisis is over."

"As someone who grew up in public housing, I'm very pleased to see this much-needed funding," said Rep. Lynch. "This additional aid is critical to our commitment to providing people with disabilities the resources they need to thrive in community-based settings.  The coronavirus pandemic has had the gravest impact on the most vulnerable in our society and hopefully this will help us address that inequity."

"Expanding access to affordable housing for adults with disabilities is critical in Southeastern Massachusetts, particularly on the Cape and Islands," said Congressman Bill Keating. "Recipients of these vouchers are able to live near their families when they otherwise may be unable to live independently due to the high cost of rent in our region. Our local housing authorities work every day to lift our neighbors up, and these funds will allow them to continue to make a positive impact in our communities."

"People living with disabilities deserve safe, affordable housing that empowers them within their own communities," said Congressman Joe Kennedy III. "As we confront the ever-widening ramifications of COVID-19, this funding will help individuals live independently and contribute to their neighborhoods as we rebuild." 

"No one should be without a safe place to call home, especially during a public health emergency. This funding will help our neighbors in the disability community keep and maintain affordable, accessible housing and in turn, help ensure their safety during this difficult time," said Congresswoman Katherine Clark. "The CARES Act was a vital piece of our federal response to the coronavirus and I'm grateful that the residents of Cambridge and people of across Massachusetts continue to be supported by this law."

"Housing is a critical determinant of public health, and that has never been more true than during the COVID-19 pandemic," said Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley. "This funding will provide our housing authorities in the Massachusetts 7th and across the Commonwealth with critical resources to provide safe housing for people with disabilities during and long after this crisis."

"During this unprecedented public health crisis, no one, especially those living with disabilities, should have anxiety over the possibility that they will be evicted or foreclosed upon simply for staying home to do their part to slow the spread of this virus. I'm proud to announce this funding that will help individuals and families across Massachusetts keep a roof over their heads or put food on the table," said Congresswoman Lori Trahan.

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Senator Warren has worked to ensure individuals and families can obtain and keep the housing they need to stay healthy. She introduced the Public Health Emergency Shelter Act to provide $11.5 billion for the Emergency Solutions Grant program to help provide emergency shelter and services for families experiencing homelessness during the pandemic, and co-sponsored the Emergency Rental Assistance and Rental Market Stabilization Act to provide relief to renters. She has also joined her colleagues in calling for Congress to prioritize the needs of people with disabilities in the next COVID-19 legislative package. Senator Warren recently convened conversations with advocates for people with disabilities, affordable housing and homelessness prevention to discuss the federal government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on vulnerable communities in Massachusetts.

More information on HUD's response to the coronavirus pandemic is available at HUD.gov/coronavirus.

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