Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe will produce 42 units of affordable housing
BAKER-POLITO ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES AWARD TO SUPPORT $11 MILLION MASHPEE WAMPANOAG VILLAGE COLLABORATION WITH THE MASHPEE WAMPANOAG TRIBE WILL PRODUCE 42 UNITS OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND PROVIDE SUPPORTIVE SERVICES TO FAMILIES AND RESIDENTS
BOSTON, MA – December 27, 2017 – Today, the Baker-Polito Administration announced a $1 million award and state and federal tax credits to support the construction of Mashpee Wampanoag Village in Mashpee on land owned by the Wampanoag Tribe. The funding will catalyze a new affordable housing development, featuring 42 rental units, including 13 units reserved for very low-income families and individuals.
“We recently introduced the Housing Choice Initiative to help more communities committed to increasing affordable, quality housing options, like the Mashpee Wampanoag,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “We look forward to the 42 new housing units this project will produce and continuing our work to support impactful housing projects that benefit families, seniors, individuals with disabilities and our growing workforce.”
The Department of Housing and Community Development has awarded state and federal Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) that will create nearly $11 million in equity in support of the project. This support follows the completion of necessary infrastructure projects by the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, including a new wastewater treatment plant and access roads. The Mashpee Wampanoag Village will create housing for families, seniors and individuals with disabilities, and will also provide supportive and social services to special needs households.
“This is the first time we have partnered with the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, and we are pleased to be supporting this important project,” said Housing and Community Development Undersecretary Chrystal Kornegay. “I want to congratulate the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe on their efforts to bring this development to fruition, including completing the construction of infrastructure critical to the project’s viability. We look forward to celebrating the future milestones of the Mashpee Wampanoag Village.”
“This a welcomed and happy opportunity to build much needed housing for our people in the heart of our ancestral homelands. I could not have asked for a more joyous Christmas gift,” said Chairman Cedric Cromwell, Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe. “I want to personally thank our Mashpee Wampanoag Housing Department Director Michelle Tobey and the Mashpee Wampanoag Housing Commission for the vision and determination to see this through. Now we can deliver on one of our primary goals: providing affordable housing for our Tribal Citizens.”
“A lack of diverse price point housing is among the greatest challenges facing the Cape & Islands. As the first Cape Codders, the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe are vital members of our community,” said Senator Julian Cyr. “This project is a meaningful step in helping tribal members to make a life on Cape Cod.”
The Baker-Polito Administration is committed to increasing housing production across Massachusetts. Earlier this month, Governor Baker announced a new, ambitious Housing Choice Initiative to create 135,000 new housing units by 2025. In April, Governor Baker filed a housing bond bill seeking $1.287 billion in additional capital authorization to advance the administration’s commitment to affordable housing, has increased funding for affordable housing by 19 percent and is on course to invest $1.1 billion over five years in affordable housing.
The highly effective MassWorks Infrastructure Program continues to be a key catalyst for housing production, supporting the creation of more than 3,000 housing units. The Open for Business Initiative will drive the production of more than 2,200 units of housing on state land. MassHousing’s $100 million Workforce Housing Initiative has advanced the development of 1,809 housing units across a range of incomes, including 510 workforce housing units. And, through An Act Relative to Job Creation and Workforce Development, the administration reformed the Housing Development Incentive Program, which is on track to facilitate 630 new units in Gateway Cities, and renewed its commitment to the 40R Smart Growth Zoning Program.
Since 2015 the Baker-Polito Administration has provided direct funding to create and preserve more than 5,700 units of affordable housing across Massachusetts.
