Mass. awards $158 million to 14 affordable-housing projects; Cranberry Commons will add 62 senior units in Plymouth

Gov. Maura Healey announced state awards totaling $158 million to 14 affordable-housing projects, including Cranberry Commons, a planned 62-unit senior housing development in Plymouth, at an afternoon event in Plymouth.

The funding, distributed through the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities and augmented by federal and local partners, is part of the administration’s initial round of awards under a statewide housing initiative intended to expand affordable supply. Secretary Ed Augustus said the 14 awards “represent the creation, preservation, or preservation of an additional 1,138 affordable units located in 12 cities and towns.”

Why it matters: Massachusetts officials say increasing the supply of affordable housing is central to lowering housing costs and maintaining local communities. Gov. Healey framed the awards as part of a broader plan she has promoted to add 225,000 homes statewide and to use tax credits, state subsidies and local partnerships to accelerate production.

The Plymouth project: Cranberry Commons, led by the Grantham Group and supported by AD Makepeace, will be a 62-unit development reserved for residents age 62 and older. Walter Ohanian, managing director of the Grantham Group, said, “Cranberry Commons will be 100% affordable senior housing development that is income restricted to people at or below 30%, 60 %, or 80% of the area median income.” The development will offer one-bedroom apartments of roughly 690 square feet, accessible design features (step-in showers, wider doorways), in-unit laundry, a common room with a fireplace and other shared spaces, and elevators to serve multiple floors.

Local contributions: Town officials and project partners described several local commitments that made the application competitive: Plymouth Town Meeting approved $4,000,000 in Community Preservation Act funds for the project; the town’s affordable housing trust contributed $100,000; and AD Makepeace provided an in‑kind land contribution and site preparation to allow connection to existing utilities. Town Manager Derek Brandisi said the project “really focused on individuals that are 62 and older” and on keeping “Plymouthians” in town as housing costs rise.

Statewide picture and policy tools: Secretary Ed Augustus credited a recent increase in the low-income housing tax credit and other tools for making the awards possible. Augustus noted the state raised the annual low-income housing tax credit from $40 million to $60 million, and he called for “fact driven conversation” about housing policy. Gov. Healey said the administration has established a Secretariat of Housing and Livable Communities, advanced the Affordable Homes Act and issued a statewide housing plan, and that these steps, combined with local planning and developer effort, are intended to bring more affordable units online.

Senior needs and local context: Michelle Bridal, commissioner of Health and Human Services for the Town of Plymouth, said Plymouth’s population is aging and that local planning and a needs assessment by the UMass Boston Gerontology Institute found a significant shortage of affordable senior housing. Bridal said many local respondents told town officials they want to remain in Plymouth as they age but face long wait times; one resident noted wait times of “4 to 7 years.” Cranberry Commons is designed, officials said, to respond to that need and to provide social spaces and services that support aging in place.

Project timeline and next steps: Developers and town leaders said Cranberry Commons advanced through public meetings including community forums, the planning board, the community preservation committee and Town Meeting. Officials said they expect to return for additional permitting milestones and anticipate a ribbon-cutting once construction and leasing are complete; a specific occupancy date was not given at the event. Governor Healey and state officials invited award recipients to join for a group photo at the event.

Funding and scope details: Officials said the Round 1 awards total $158,000,000 for 14 projects statewide and are expected to produce or preserve about 1,138 affordable units. The state highlighted projects ranging from senior housing to adaptive reuse and new construction in communities including Worcester, Springfield, Lawrence, New Bedford, Brockton, Salem and others. The event did not list a line-item amount attributed solely to Cranberry Commons; local contributions described above and the state award together supported the project’s competitiveness.

What officials emphasized: State leaders framed the awards as one piece of a broader push to increase housing supply, reduce costs and support workers and seniors. Gov. Healey said, “So it's just to say we are laser focused on housing.” Secretary Augustus added that financing tools plus local planning and developer action are both required to move projects forward.

Photos and follow-up: After remarks, officials invited recipients forward for a photograph. No formal vote or legislative action occurred at the event; the announcements were funding awards and programmatic commitments from the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities and related state programs.