Award Announced For Affordable Senior Housing in Paxton

Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray today joined Congressman James McGovern at the John Bauer Senior Center to outline recent funding for a Paxton Senior Housing project that will create affordable homes for 50 seniors and create an estimated 69 local construction jobs.

The award was made as part of a $105 million investment in affordable housing for families, seniors and veterans statewide, including more than $23 million in federal low-income housing tax credits; $20 million in state low-income housing tax credits and $61 million in state and federal housing program subsidies.

“Creating affordable housing helps to generate jobs, grow local businesses and strengthen our communities,” said Governor Patrick. “Government’s role is to help people help themselves, and investing in affordable housing will build a better Commonwealth for generations to come.”

“Investing in affordable housing for our veterans, elderly residents and low-income families is critical to strengthening communities like Paxton and ending homelessness in the Commonwealth,” said Lieutenant Governor Murray, Chair of the Interagency Council on Housing and Homelessness. “By partnering with the state’s congressional delegation, we are delivering greater resources and creating significant construction jobs right here in Paxton as we increase our stock of affordable housing for families and individuals in Massachusetts.”

The Paxton Senior Housing development will provide residents with the support services, exercise facilities, outdoor green space and community gardens. JK Scanlan, the project developer, received $810,903 in federal low-income housing tax credits, $210,000 in state low-income housing tax credits and more than $1.7 million in state housing subsidies.

“The process for limited-income seniors to find available apartments is long and stressful. This new development will alleviate some of that shortage, while providing construction jobs and an impact far beyond its 50 residences,” said Congressman McGovern. “Paxton is a special community. I’m pleased that seniors who have spent their lives here will now have an affordable option to stay in the community they know and love.”

“Our team is very excited about the opportunity through the award of the tax credits,” said John Scanlan of JK Scanlan. “This will enable us to move ahead with increasing the senior housing available for Paxton and other local residents.”

“This housing development started with a community recognizing a need for its seniors,” said Martha Akstin, chair of the Paxton Housing Partnership. “Volunteers then worked with tenacity and hope to achieve the vision of beautiful rental apartments. The Paxton Housing Partnership is thrilled with the commitment shown by John Scanlan and the financial support from the Department of Housing and Community Development which will help the town’s vision become reality.”

Since the beginning of their first term, Governor Patrick and Lieutenant Governor Murray have worked with the state legislature and Congress to direct over $700 million in federal and state tax credits and state housing program subsidies to projects that improve the state’s affordable housing, create jobs and build stronger communities. These investments have generated more than 14,000 jobs and 10,000 housing units; 9,000 of which are affordable.

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