Page 14 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, AUGUST 6, 2021 GOVERNOR | FROM PAGE 1 repurpose this site as a place that will continue to serve the community.” The East Boston Neighborhood Health Center will provide on-site services to senior residents living at St Therese and throughout the city. "The pandemic has further proven that overall health and well-being is inextricably tied to housing and other nonmedical factors,” said Manny Lopes, CEO of the East Boston Neighborhood Health Center. “We’re thrilled to be one step impact as we seek to connect more families with homeownership opportunities,” he said. “By making these investments, we can accelerate an equitable recovery, support those who were hardest hit by the pandemic and create real and lasting change in communities across Massachusetts.” Within the $1 billion figure, Baker said, half of that money would be used to bolster the state’s housing stock and CommonWealth Builder. The other $500 million would be used to build more affordable rental units. State Representative Joseph McGonagle (Photos Courtesy of the City of Everett) MassDevelopment President and CEO Daniel Rivera Shown from left to right are State Representative Joseph McGonagle, MassHousing Executive Director Chrystal Kornegay, Governor Charlie Baker, Mayor Carlo DeMaria, Housing and Economic Development Secretary Michael Kennealy, East Boston Neighborhood Health Center CEO Manny Lopes, State Senator Sal DiDomenico, MassDevelopment President and CEO Daniel Rivera and The Neighborhood Developers’ Real Estate Development Director, Steve Laferriere. closer to bringing a comprehensive set of services to this new, innovative complex in Everett. With affordable housing and high-quality healthcare under the same roof, East Boston Neighborhood Health Center looks forward to maximizing impact on older adults in the community for decades to come.” The project is being funded by a $250,000 Housing Choice grant, a $410,000 contribution from the City of Everett through the North Suburban Consortium and a $900,000 contribution from the state’s CommonWealth Builder Program. Launched two years ago by the Baker-Polito Administration and MassHousing, the CommonWealth Builder Program is a $60 million effort designed to “create homeownership opportunities and build generational wealth in communities of color.” Baker also spoke about his plan to take $1 billion from the American Rescue Plan Act and invest it in CommonWealth Builder and other housing opportunities. “Our proposal to invest $1 billion in housing priorities would enable the CommonWealth Builder Program to have an even greater Michael Kennealy, secretary of Housing and Economic Development, said Baker’s investment proposal is a “once in a generation opportunity.” “Our housing crisis demands a strategy that will result in more housing of all types across the Commonwealth,” he said. “Thanks to MassHousing for implementing the CommonWealth Builder program, we can target homeownership opportunities to families that have historically faced barriers to purchasing homes and the chance to build the wealth that comes along with it.” Daniel Rivera, president and CEO of MassDevelopment, said he has watched a number of friends move to New Hampshire to escape the housing crisis in Massachusetts. “The state’s shortage of housing supply was a growing concern before COVID-19, but we saw the impacts of this issue exacerbated by the pandemic – particularly for our most vulnerable residents,” he said. “That’s why projects like this one will provide homes for more than 80 families and seniors. MassDevelopment was proud to deliver a $9.1 million tax-exempt bond to help The Neighborhood Developers East Boston Neighborhood Health Center CEO Manny Lopes create affordable rental units here at St. Therese and we will continue to be a resource for building and preserving housing in the communities that need it most.” State Senator Sal DiDomenico agreed that residents are routinely priced out of the housing market. “We’re one of the richest states in the entire country and we need more housing,” he said. “This is a lifeline for so many people in this community.” State Representative Joseph McGonagle said he has already been fielding calls from seniors expressing their excitement for the project. “This residential facility is going to be fantastic for Everett,” he said. “I am grateful that we can redevelop the St. Therese site as a community residence to keep the people of Everett in Everett.” Massachusetts Housing and Economic Development Secretary Michael Kennealy State Senator Sal DiDomenico On August 2, Governor Charlie Baker toured the site of the future St. Therese Senior Building and Townhouses, saying the project is a step in the right direction to end the state’s housing crisis. (Advocate photo by Christopher Roberson) On August 2, Mayor Carlo DeMaria (left) and Governor Charlie Baker toured the site of the future St. Therese Senior Building and Townhouses.
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