Salem Affordable Housing Trust Fund Board Offers Additional Funding to Support Broad Array of Affordable Housing Causes

Salem Mayor Dominick Pangallo today announced that the City has launched a new Request for Grant Applications, administered through the City’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund Board (Trust), to support housing projects and services that address the City’s housing needs. This initiative utilizes $400,000 of the City’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) allocation. Successful proposals will advance the City’s housing priorities as outlined in the Housing Roadmap (https://www.salemma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif12836/f/uploads/approved_housing_roadmap.pdf), align with the goals of the Trust, and priority will be given to proposals that serve very low-income individuals and households.

“One of the leading challenges facing Salem and our entire Commonwealth right now is the need for affordable housing,” said Mayor Pangallo, “This new grant program is one more important step toward addressing this complex need. I am grateful to the dedicated volunteers on the Affordable Housing Trust Fund Board and the City staff who have developed this new initiative and to our federal partners whose support for ARPA funding has made it possible.”

Housing costs in Salem are significantly outpacing incomes. For example, the median family income rose by 8 percent between 2010 to 2019 – in that same period, the median sales price for a home in the City increased by 49 percent. Around 48 percent of Salem residents are low to moderate income, and 42 percent of those residents spend more than half of their take-home income on housing costs, leaving little income for other necessities, such as food, clothing, transportation, childcare, and medical costs.

This funding source can be utilized to assist in the creation and preservation of affordable housing units in the City, as well to offer critical housing services, including housing stability for current tenants and homeowners and assistance to unhoused individuals. This application is for “programmatic” support services (e.g. Rental Downpayment Assistance Programs, Housing Rehabilitation Programs, Homeless assistance), and the development and rehabilitation of affordable housing units. Eligible projects a) must serve qualifying households and populations, as described by U.S. Treasury’s Final Rule, b) advance the goals of the Housing Roadmap c) align with the goals of the Trust, and d) be able to commit the funds no later than June 30, 2024.  

The City of Salem is now accepting applications from eligible applicants. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. More information about eligibility and how to apply can be found within the Request for Grant Applications, available here. 

Please contact Elena Eimert at eeimert@salem.com with any questions.