By Joan F. Simoneau, Community Reporter
Marlborough – The city of Marlborough is applying for funding to modernize housing and to modify construction upgrades to enable seniors to age in place. The 397 Bolton St. complex has met the criteria established by the new Modernizing Public Housing and Supporting Elders (ModPHASE) initiative, provided by the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD).
If the city is awarded the grant funding, Douglas Bushman, executive director of the Housing Authority, said it will be used at the 60-unit senior housing to replace all of the cabinets, upgrade the electrical systems, renovate bathrooms and replace water tanks with a tank-less system.
“This will save water and reduce electricity,” he said. “We have conducted meetings with area service providers, including the Council on Aging and Bay Path Elder services to determine the current range of services and how we can expand them and/or bring in additional services.”
The city is also re-applying for a federal Housing and Development grant jointly with the town of Hudson. They had applied for one earlier this year but their request for funding was denied. The two communities requested $992,000 for housing rehabilitation, street improvements, day care vouchers and administrative help. If approved, the funding will be used to help income-eligible families living in blight-target areas fix health and safety code violations on their properties. The grant would also include $3,000 to $5,000 in day care vouchers for low- and moderate-income families.
A $3 million project is planned at 29 Pleasant St., funded by another DHCD grant awarded earlier this year. Planned projects include replacing electrical units, bathroom and kitchen flooring, windows, balconies and appliances.
The Marlborough Housing Division maintains a total of 230 units throughout the city. Bushman and his staff moved from the Walker Building to 240 Main St. last December after the senior center moved to a new building on New Street.