Friday, April 5, 2013

HOME Consortium Cuts Ribbon on New Handicap Accessible Group Home

The federally funded and staffed facility has five units.

By Adam Roberts

Federal, state and local officials gathered in Milton on Thursday morning to celebrate the opening of a new five-unit group home for adults with disabilities at 47 Wolcott Road.

U.S. Congressman Michael Capuano, State Senator Brian A. Joyce, State Representatives Walter F. Timilty and Tackey Chan, Braintree Mayor Joseph Sullivan and all three Milton Selectmen were among the legislators on hand for the ribbon cutting ceremony.

The funding for the new facility off Brush Hill Road was provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the South Shore HOME Consortium and the Massachusetts' Department of Housing and Community Development. The project was also sponsored by Work Inc., a Dorchester-based organization that has provided housing and services to individuals with disabilities for over 45 years.

South Shore HOME Consortium consists of the City of Quincy and the Towns of Milton, Braintree, Holbrook and Weymouth. Since 1992, the municipalities have received over $13.5 million for the communities' specific affordable housing needs.

The home was filled with officials and supporters on Thursday morning. Those in attendance toured the facility, heard remarks for several people involved in the project and then watched the ribbon cutting.

"We see how this is really going to improve folks' lives," said Robert Shumeyko, Director, Boston Regional Office of Community Planning and Development, for HUD.

The grant-funded facility was constructed in four months by contractor Page Building Construction Co. and Architect Michael A. Interbartolo Jr. The home is completely handicap accessible and will be staffed to help the residents thrive.

"The five individuals we have moving in here deserve it like any other American," said James Cassetta, CEO, Work Inc.
The remarks featured lots of congratulations to the organizations and individuals that made the home possible. Rev. Hall Kirkham from St. Michael's Episcopal in Milton, also commended the community.

"In a town that's so wonderful to live in, you don't need to do this kind of work," said the representative of the Milton Interfaith Clergy Association. "But you do."

For more information, visit www.workinc.org.