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Affordable Housing Gets Boost
As Leahy Secures $500,000 For McAuley Square
WASHINGTON (Wed., Nov. 28) -- Burlington’s McAuley
Square intergenerational housing will receive $500,000 to complete
development of three affordable housing buildings in Burlington that
will help alleviate the housing crunch and increase the supply of
affordable housing in Chittenden County.
Sen. Patrick Leahy secured the funds for the project
in the annual budget bill for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development (HUD). Leahy is a senior member of the Appropriations
Committee and of its Subcommittee on VA/HUD and Independent Agencies,
which handled the writing of the bill. President Bush signed the bill
on Monday.
More than a decade ago the Sisters of Mercy convened
a land-use committee to decide how best to use their property on
Mansfield Avenue to benefit the Burlington community. Development of
affordable housing emerged as the clear answer, and, in cooperation
with Cathedral Square Corporation and Housing Vermont, the vision for
McAuley Square took shape. Once completed, the development will
provide 74 units in three buildings for low to moderate-income
seniors, single parents participating in The Land Family Center
Program, and postsecondary education students who are the heads of
their households.
"The housing crunch is hurting many Vermonters,
and it hurts lower-income Vermonters most of all," said Leahy.
"Affordable housing has become difficult, if not impossible, for
many families to find. The completion of McAuley Square will open the
door to affordable housing for many of them. Housing Vermont,
Cathedral Square Corp. and the Sisters of Mercy are working hard to
relieve the shortage, and these funds will help carry this project
across the finish line."
Two of the three buildings were finished and the
third underway when mounting costs threatened final completion. This
funding will help ensure the project’s success and that the senior
building of McAuley Square can open for new tenants in January 2002.
"Cathedral Square Corporation is extremely
appreciative of Senator Leahy’s leadership in securing these funds
that guarantee the success of this community for families and
seniors," said Nancy Eldridge, Executive Director of Cathedral
Square Corp.
Local Contacts: Nancy Eldridge,
Executive Director, Cathedral Square Corp., 863-2224
Andy Broderick, President, Housing Vermont, 863-8424
Sister Lucille Bonvouloir, Vice President, Sisters of
Mercy, 863-6835 |
