State Housing Agency Awards $1 million to Concord Housing Authority for Peter Bulkeley Terrace Renovations

For Immediate Release: June 22, 2010

Contact: 617-722-2692

STATE HOUSING AGENCY AWARDS $1 MILLION TO CONCORD HOUSING AUTHORITY FOR PETER BULKELEY TERRACE RENOVATIONS

Representative Cory Atkins (D-Concord) and Senator Susan Fargo (D-Lincoln) are pleased to announce that Governor Patrick has awarded $1 million to the Concord Housing Authority (CHA) for renovations to the Peter Bulkeley Terrace building. This funding will allow the CHA to improve conditions for residents by preserving 24 affordable rental units for low- and moderate-income households. This award is part of $189.9 million that the Patrick administration is spending to support the construction of rental developments in 19 communities across the state. This spending will yield an estimated 2,400 jobs.

“This is such an exciting feat,” said Representative Atkins. “These new improvements are absolutely essential. I’m extremely happy for the residents who will enjoy a more private and independent living style in a modern environment.”

“With only 19 communities in the state receiving this kind of funding we are truly fortunate to have a boost like this to support affordable housing,” said Senator Fargo. “The $1 million will help preserve these homes and help keep people at work.”

“The Concord Housing Authority is thrilled and grateful for this award which will allow us to move forward with our plans to renovate the Peter Bulkeley Terrace building,” said Judi Lincicum, Executive Director of the CHA. “This project has been a combined effort of private donations, public housing funding, the Town of Concord, and State affordable housing programs who have diligently worked together to preserve 24 units of affordable housing. This long-awaited renovation will transform an obsolete congregate facility into 24 one bedroom fully independent units for the elderly and disabled.”

Peter Bulkeley Terrace is a former school. In 1980 it was transformed into elderly housing and offices for the housing authority, but it has suffered ongoing vacancy problems because residents did not want to live in congregate apartments with common space. The conditions of many elderly and disabled people prevent them from being able to share bathrooms and kitchens. The proposed renovations would reconfigure the building in order to create private baths and kitchens in each unit. Peter Bulkeley Terrace is conveniently located in Concord center near the train station and stores, and it helps to address a desperate need for affordable housing for elderly and disabled residents in Concord.

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