MassDevelopment provides funding for independent livingDate: 9/1/2021 AGAWAM/WEST SPRINGFIELD- Corporation for Independent Living (CIL) Realty of Massachusetts is in the process of constructing and renovating 28 community residences across Massachusetts, including homes in Agawam and West Springfield. With help from the Massachusetts Development Finance Agency (MassDevelopment), they have tax-exempt bond financing of $34 million.
Samantha VanShoick, director of strategic partnerships at CIL, said their nonprofit organization was created by six human service providers in 1979. “We support people with disabilities, or IDD (an intellectual or developmental disability),” said VanShoick. The creation of CIL was a response to the deinstitutionalization movement.
VanShoick said, “People sued the state saying we can’t keep them hidden away – it doesn’t provide dignity.” As a result, group homes or “common residences” were established. Regardless of a disability, VanShoick said this proved that they could live in communities with others.
In each home, the average is about four to five people, all with their own bedroom and 24 hour access to care. Based on one’s specific needs, VanShoick said the individual will receive proper attention.
In Agawam, there has been a rehabilitation of a home that has four residents. The Total Development Cost (TDC) was $904,614. In West Springfield there was new construction of a home that has four residents, with a TDC of $1,000,957. There was also rehabilitation of a residency in West Side with five residents; $997,656 TDC. All three of these residences have been completed.
“From the outside, you wouldn’t be able to tell; it looks like any other single family home,” claimed VanShoick.
She explained that MassDevelopment became involved with this project through their previous uses of bonding. “We have an awesome relationship with them,” said VanShoick. “They’re a terrific partner.”
While the process to construct or renovate these homes typically takes about six to 12 months, VanShoick said by the time they get through the lengthy bonding process, the projects are already completed.
MassDevelopment President/CEO Dan Rivera said, “Through its work building and renovating community residences, CIL Realty of Massachusetts sets the stage for the commonwealth and human-service providers to administer community-centered housing and support for individuals with developmental disabilities.”
He added, “We’re proud to be a longstanding partner to this organization and provide low-cost financing for its latest project that will deliver quality housing and care for up to 140 people across Massachusetts.”
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