POUA & Health Imperatives Receive $1.2 Million Affordable Housing Award

Representatives from the Planning Office for Urban Affairs (“POUA”) and Health Imperatives joined Governor Charlie Baker, Lt. Governor Karyn Polito, Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy and Community Development Undersecretary Jennifer Maddox on July 15 for the announcement of a $1.2 million affordable housing award from the Department of Housing and Community Development (“DHCD”). The DHCD award will support the acquisition and redevelopment of a vacant 8-room residential home into innovative housing with supportive educational programming for survivors of human trafficking and sexual exploitation. This important re-use property will be known as Sanctuary Place.

 

“The Department of Housing and Community Development’s support is critical in developing a safe, stable and supportive environment for women coming out of the trafficking system,” says Bill Grogan, President of Planning Office for Urban Affairs. “Sanctuary Place will provide housing and holistic services for these women to not just survive, but to thrive in a community environment, with the help of our partners at Health Imperatives, who are experienced in working with this vulnerable population. We appreciate the Commonwealth’s and DHCD’s commitment to provide service-supported resources for targeted housing and services for survivors of trafficking and sexual exploitation.”

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The Ledges Virtual Ribbon Cutting, Ashland

The Planning Office for Urban Affairs (POUA) and EA Fish Development recently completed a 64-unit affordable housing development in Ashland, MA called The Ledges. The Ledges provides seniors with much needed housing, just in time for the beginning of a new year and a cold winter, with its opening in January 2021. With a timeline starting in 2005, the team has been resilient and dedicated to increasing affordable housing options for residents in the Ashland area and nearby communities; this development is the culmination of a 15-year public-private partnership between the Town of Ashland, EA Fish Development, and POUA. At least 15 of the 64 units provide homes for local Ashland community members. Watch the virtual ribbon cutting video for more!

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