Funds will be used to help heat housing units
READING – Representative Richard Haggerty (D-30th Middlesex), Senator Jason Lewis (D-5th Middlesex) and Representative Bradley H. Jones Jr. (R-20th Middlesex) are pleased to announce over $443,000 in funding recently approved for the Reading Housing Authority.
Reading Housing Authority’s $443,111 contract was approved by the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities recently, as the funding will install a new air source hear pumps for the 8-unit, special needs Bancroft Development, a vital resource for vulnerable residents’ homes during the winter months.
“It’s great to hear Reading Housing Authority’s funding has been approved by EOHLC, as the installation of new heat pump will keep our most vulnerable residents warm and comfortable as the winter months come,” said Representative Haggerty, House Chair of the Joint Committee. “I want to thank Reading Housing Authority Executive Director Kathryn Gallant and her staff for all their hard work keeping our residents in Reading safe and in stable housing. I also want to thank EOHLC Secretary Augustus, Leader Jones and Senator Lewis for their work on making sure our public housing stock is properly funded, and our residents have good, affordable housing.”
Reading Housing Authority Executive Director Kathryn Gallant said the investment supports the town’s ongoing commitment to maintain safe, sustainable and accessible housing for all members of the community.
“The Reading Housing Authority is incredibly grateful for this funding, which will make a meaningful difference for our residents at the Bancroft Development,” said Gallant. “As a Chapter 689 home, Bancroft provides housing for individuals with disabilities who require supportive living arrangements, helping them live independently in a community-based setting. The new air source heat pumps will provide cleaner, more efficient heating and cooling, improving comfort and air quality for our tenants.”
“The Massachusetts legislature passed the Affordable Homes Act last year to ensure that projects like this one, that support critical new heating infrastructure to keep residents in public housing safe and warm, receive proper funding,” said Senator Lewis. “Thank you to the Healey administration and the Reading Housing Authority for prioritizing this project and supporting strong, affordable housing in the community.”
“Congratulations to the Reading Housing Authority for securing this grant, which will allow for the replacement of the existing oil-based heating system at the Bancroft Development with more efficient air source heat pumps,” said Representative Jones. “Thanks to this state-municipal partnership, the RHA will be able to deliver important improvements to its tenants to help ensure their apartments are properly heated during the upcoming winter months.”
Reading is one of 58 projects that has moved into the contracting phase, with the projects prioritizing weatherization and heating improvements — including window and door replacements, new heating systems, and heat pumps — to improve comfort and lower energy costs for residents as the Commonwealth entering winter months.
In the summer of 2024, the Massachusetts Legislature passed, and Governor Healey signed, the $5 billion Affordable Homes Act, which includes $2 billion in authorizations for capital improvements to state-aided public housing — with $150 million dedicated to decarbonization and $15 million for accessibility upgrades. The administration budgeted $157 million in fiscal 2025 for capital improvements to public housing — a 29 percent increase from the previous year.
