Five Hundred Thousand Dollar Amendment sponsored by Senator Marc Pacheco for the Rehoboth Housing Authority

Rehoboth – Late Thursday evening the Massachusetts Senate voted unanimously to pass the bipartisan “Affordable Homes Act,” which authorizes $5.4 billion in borrowing and makes crucial policy changes with the goal of building new housing, accelerating the rehabilitation of existing housing, reducing barriers to development, and promoting affordable housing.

The Rehoboth Housing Authority (RHA) is pleased to announce that because of Senator Marc Pacheco’s efforts, an amendment was adopted providing $500,000 to the Rehoboth Housing Authority towards the design and construction of new Senior Housing Units.

“I am pleased to see this funding authorization made available for the Rehoboth Housing Authority to continue its efforts to provide our Seniors with safe and affordable housing options,” said Senator Pacheco.

“We are extremely thankful to Senator Pacheco for his continued advocacy on behalf of our seniors and our proposed Senior Housing initiative. These funds will go a long way in helping with pre-development and design services,” said Paul Jacques, Chair of the Rehoboth Housing Authority. “We look forward to working together with the Senator and the Legislature to access these much-needed monies once available.”

The bond bill will now move to the Conference Committee to work out the differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill. While the Senate's adopted amendment authorizes the $500,000 to be expended for the Senior Housing project, the Conference Committee must agree to the Senate's language. Once the Conference Committee has released their report, and the authorization remains intact, it will be up to Governor Healey's Administration to release the funds.

During a previous Rehoboth Town Meeting voters approved a land swap between the Town and the Housing Authority giving the RHA control over 5.41 acres of land on Bay State Road which contains the Anawan School and the adjacent site where the former Council on Aging was located. The RHA has proposed constructing approximately 35 units of Senior Housing on this property in the years to come.

For more information regarding the Rehoboth Housing Authority please email RehobothHA@gmail.com.