Boston-based Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency (MassHousing) has awarded a $44,300 grant to MHA to help renovate and preserve eight units of sober, single room occupancy (SRO) housing at Avon House, an MHA program for men and women with co-occurring illness. The scope of work includes a new roof, windows and an accessible ramp.
“There is a tremendous need for sober housing that is affordable and accessible to residents across the Commonwealth who are working to overcome addiction,” said Cheryl Fasano, President & CEO of MHA. “This $44,300 grant, which recognizes MHA’s long-standing commitment to community-based recovery programs, helps ensure the continued local availability of safe sober housing and critical services that residents need to be successful in their recovery from substance use.”
MHA’s grant is part of nearly $700,000 awarded in 11 communities across Massachusetts to help create or modernize 98 affordable sober housing units that serve veterans, men and women in recovery, including women with children. The grants come from the Center for Community Recovery Innovations, Inc. (CCRI), a nonprofit subsidiary corporation of MassHousing that helps nonprofits create or preserve affordable sober housing in Massachusetts for individuals in recovery. To date, CCRI has awarded more than $10 million in grants for the creation or preservation of nearly 2,200 units of substance-free housing, in 50 communities, serving recovery populations that include men, women, families, veterans, the homeless and ex-offenders.
About MHA: MHA is a nonprofit provider of residential and support services based in Springfield, MA, providing services throughout the Greater Springfield area to people impacted by mental illness, developmental disabilities, substance use and homelessness. Our core values are Respect, Integrity and Compassion.
MHA has 400 full- and part-time employees and serves more than 600 participants annually. We operate 25 residential sites, as well as extensive outreach and supported living programs. MHA receives state and federal funding from multiple sources including the MA Department of Mental Health (DMH), MA Department of Developmental Services (DDS), MA Department of Children and Families (DCF), MA Rehabilitation Commission (MRC), the MA Department of Housing and Community Development (DHDC) and the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
MHA was founded in 1960 by concerned citizens to provide advocacy for people with mental illness living at Northampton State Hospital. Throughout the deinstitutionalization movement MHA developed a continuum of housing and support options to participants with a wide variety of needs. Our services reflect the belief that everyone deserves quality affordable housing, the opportunity to develop to their fullest potential and the support to pursue their personal vision and meaningfully participate in the life of their community.
