Program Description
The CBH Program provides funding for the development of integrated housing for people with disabilities, including elders, with priority for individuals who are in institutions or nursing facilities or at risk of institutionalization.
Program Guuidelines; Appendix A, Tenant Selection and Occupancy
Eligible Borrowers
Nonprofit entities or entities controlled by non-profits
Eligible Activities
Reasonable acquisition, rehabilitation, new construction, predevelopment and other "soft" costs.
Eligible Populations
CBH Program excludes clients of the DMH and DMR but includes many other people with disabilities who are institutionalized or at risk of institutionalization. For CBH, a disabled person must have a physical or mental impairment of a permanent or long and continuous duration that substantially limits one or more major life activities. The physical or mental impairment must be medically demonstrable by acceptable clinical and laboratory diagnostic techniques.
Eligible populations include adults with a broad range of disabilities including mobility impairments, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, epilepsy, HIV/AIDS, brain or spinal cord injuries, sensory disabilities, emotional disabilities and cognitive disabilities.
Eligible Housing Types
Priority will be given to projects that provide integrated housing such as several CBH units within a larger rental building or development. Ideally, no more than 15% of the units should be for people with disabilities. Rental projects are more likely to be more appropriate for CBH-eligible populations but ownership units are allowed.
Accessibility
The CBH Program does not require all units to be fully accessible. However, accessibility through visitability is strongly encouraged. Visitability includes accessible front doors to units, accessible circulation to public spaces and amenities within a building, and an accessible bathroom on the first floor of a building.
Maximum Loan Amount
CBH loans may be up to 50% of total development costs for the CBH units in a development, up to a maximum of $750,000.
Rate and Term of Loan
Loans will be structured as 0%, deferred payment loans for a term of 30 years.
Security
At a minimum, CBH loans will be secured by a recorded development loan agreement, mortgage, promissory note, and land use restriction. Loan closing documents will be modeled on those used for HIF and FCF, including right of first refusal and right to purchase upon sale or transfer.
Additional Program Information
Achieving Access and Function in Affordable Housing in Massachusetts; Part One: A Developer's Overview
Achieving Access and Function in Affordable Housing in Massachusetts; Part Two: State & Federal Code Comparison
Contact
For more information please contact:
Bradley Day at CEDAC: bday@cedac.org; 617-727-5944 or
Andrew Nelson at DHCD: andrew.nelson@state.ma.us; (617) 573-1305.
