Shrewsbury receives housing grant
By Melissa Muntz Contributing Writer

Shrewsbury - The Shrewsbury Housing Authority has received a $1 million state grant to help develop aff ordable family housing in town.

The Department of Housing and Community Development grant will be used to create five aff ordable housing units.

Two one-bedroom units will be set aside for mentally disabled people in need of housing, and three two-bedroom units will be set aside for families in need.

In a statement issued following the receipt of the grant, State Sen. Edward M. Augustus, D-Worcester, called the grant a great opportunity for Shrewsbury to expand its aff ordable housing resume.

"Virtually every community with a housing authority has a sizable waiting list for families in need of a home, so this grant is good news for those in Shrewsbury with the most immediate demand or who have been waiting the longest," he said.

Less than 10 percent of Shrewsbury housing is deemed aff ordable. Because of that, Shrewsbury is required by the state to increase the amount of mixedincome housing developments in town in order to off er people more aff ordable housing.

Shrewsbury Housing Authority Executive Director Dennis Osborne said the funds would assist the town in meeting its goal of creating 17 new aff ordable units in town.

"We're desperately in need of aff ordable family housing and this grant helps us satisfy people who really are in need," Osborne said in a statement issued following the receipt of the grant.