“Housing First for Families”Audrey Nelson – Best Practices Session 1/20/2012

Quincy, Massachusetts

Overview

• Quincy: 92,000; $1.9M CDBG; $863K HOME (5 communities)

• Developer: Quincy Community Action Programs, Inc. (1 of 2 CHDOs)

• City’s designated anti-poverty agency; partner on fair housing (CDBG); HPRP

• Project has created 5 new units of housing for VLI and “at-risk” families.

Background

• The building was used as a Swedish Baptist Church from 1896-1922, and then used by other church groups for many years after the Baptists outgrew this space and moved to another location.

Background

• Over the years, renovations were made to the building and the steeple was removed.

• QCAP purchased in 1986 – used as com. center, food center, and office space.

Project

• All project funds were used for substantial rehabilitation and site improvements.

• Energy efficient features were incorporated into the design (appliances, HVAC, plumbing fixtures, lighting, recycling bin, bike rack, rain water collection/re-charge system)

Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation

“After”

“After”

Funding

$ 468,000 HOME

$ 150,000 Quincy Aff. Housing Trust

$ 393,517 Hsg. Innovations (State)

$ 393,518 Hsg. Stabilization (State)

$ 398,000 Developer’s Equity

$1,803,035

($1.3 Million Leveraged)

Addressing Needs

• Tenants receive case management to help them achieve self-sufficiency.

• All families are below 30% AMI, but pay their own utility bills.

• Residents pay 30% of income towards rent (adjusted for utilities).

• Utilizes the “Housing First” model – stabilize with housing first, THEN work on short-term and long-term goals.

Site Benefits

• Safe, comfortable, affordable housing

• Each unit pre-wired for phone; cable

• Every unit has a modern kitchen; individual HVAC unit; stacking washer/dryer

• Bus stop within 50’; walk to MBTA

• Close to emergency food center, parks, indoor community pool (at elem. school)

Neighborhood Revitalization

• This project is part of an overall neighborhood revitalization effort:- Sidewalk/curb reconstruction- Water main reconstruction- Handicapped accessibility- Pedestrian amenities- Roadway resurfacing/repaving- New signalization

Before / After

Before / After

Grand Opening

• Ribbon-cutting event was held in April 2009, as part of CD Week

• Over 100 people in attendance• HUD Deputy Regional Director was in

attendance and said, “We at ‘HUD’ think Quincy leads the way and is a model in developing creative ways to make their housing programs work, and we're very proud to be a partner in that.”

Grand Opening Ceremony

Ribbon-Cutting

“Epilogue”

• Building was fully leased up by July 2009

• All families have made progress in achieving short-term goals, including budget counseling, maximizing resources, and furthering education (1 CNA)