Overview

In 2021, the Massachusetts State Legislature appropriated $150 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for a reserve to support the production of permanent supportive housing. Of that $150 million, $15 million is being administered by the Massachusetts Alliance for Supportive Housing (MASH) to advance the creation of permanent supportive housing for unaccompanied adults experiencing homelessness who have disabling conditions.

MASH is a collaboration between Massachusetts Housing and Shelter Alliance (MHSA), United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley (United Way), and Corporation of Supportive Housing (CSH). 

CSH Logo
MHSA logo
United Way of Mass Bay and Merrimack Valley logo

Grant Opportunities

Development Grants

MASH will award up to $13.5 million for flexible capital grants to close critical gaps in the creation of permanent supportive housing for adults experiencing homelessness. Gaps may include, but are not limited to predevelopment, acquisition, renovation, or new construction costs.

Projects may include the following:

  • Filling in budget gaps for a project in development
  • Assisting with predevelopment costs for securing debt financing
  • Converting or renovating a building into permanent supportive housing
  • Paying for an acquisition of a property

Capacity Building Grants

MASH will award up to $2 million in grants to build the capacity of organizations to develop and/or operate supportive housing. Organizations must have specific supportive housing development projects in mind to be eligible for these grants.

Projects may include the following:

  • Building organizational capacity to initiate a housing project (e.g., hiring project manager)
  • Meeting critical training needs (e.g., construction and project management)
  • Reducing barriers to help Minority-Owned Business Enterprises become equitable partners in the development and/or operation of supportive housing
  • Establishing a partnership with a housing developer

How to Apply

  • Eligibility: The lead applicant or partnering organization must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
  • Application Process: MASH will use a competitive two-step application process.
  • Application Instructions: Please note – given the number of applications already received, this grant opportunity is paused until further notice. 
  • Timeline: These are one-time funds that must be obligated no later than December 31, 2024 and expended no later than December 31, 2026. 
  • Questions: General questions may be submitted to Calpurnyia Roberts, at MHSA, croberts@mhsa.net.
  • Q&A Session: A question and answer session was held via Zoom on June 9, 2022 from 3-4pm. Please see below for a full list of Frequently Asked Questions and the session’s recording.

Grant Support Materials and Session Recording