Braintree Housing Complex Set For Modernization With $13 Million Grant

MASSACHUSETTS — The Healey-Driscoll Administration recently announced $18.7 million in grants to rehabilitate 310 state-aided public housing apartments for older adults and people with disabilities in Andover, Braintree and Salem.

The investments are funded through the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities’ Comprehensive Modernization program, "which supports significant renovation projects that extend the useful life of public housing properties by at least 20 years," officials said.

The program is capitalized through the Affordable Homes Act, which authorized $2 billion in new funding to modernize and improve public housing across Massachusetts.

“This is the Affordable Homes Act at work,” said Governor Maura Healey. “We are proud to deliver this funding for badly needed repairs to public housing so that seniors and people with disabilities in Andover, Braintree and Salem can live in safe, modernized and affordable homes for decades to come.”

“Our local housing authorities are on the front lines of keeping older residents safely housed in the communities they love,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “These grants will help fix chronic water damage in Salem, overhaul aging systems and infrastructure in Andover, and make senior housing in Braintree more accessible and energy efficient. We’re proud to partner with local leaders to deliver the improvements residents need and deserve.”

The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (HLC) received 15 applications from local housing authorities for the 2025 round and is awarding funding to three projects:

• Andover Housing Authority: Frye Circle Elderly Housing — $3 million (96 units)
• Braintree Housing Authority: McCrae Complex — $13 million (104 units)
• Salem Housing Authority: Charter Street Elderly Housing — $2.7 million (110 units)

The McCrae Complex includes 13 two-story buildings with 104 one-bedroom apartments for older adults. Many kitchen and bathroom finishes are original to the early 1970s, common areas need upgrades, and site conditions such as walkways and water mains require major work.

The Comprehensive Modification grant will support a full renovation of all units and the community building, including new kitchens and baths, replacement of aging flooring and finishes, accessibility upgrades like walk-in showers and additional ramps so all first-floor units are visitable, installation of high-efficiency air source heat pumps, and repairs to walkways and underground utilities.

"Ensuring the sustainability and quality of housing managed by the Braintree Housing Authority is critical. This grant allows for crucial upgrades to the McCrae Complex, ensuring that important infrastructure like walkways, water mains, heating, and utilities are upgraded. It will also be used to make individual units safer by installing such items as walk-in showers. I am gratified to see the financial incentives my colleagues and I advocate for and support in the budget make it back into the district, particularly in instances where vulnerable populations are supported," said Senator John Keenan.