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COMMUNITY PRESERVATION FUNDING APPLICATION
<br /> Town of Mashpee
<br /> Project Descr' tion.
<br /> FORWARD is currently building FORWARD at the Rook, a new regional affordable supportive
<br /> housing communityproviding purpose-built homes for 3 adults (22 years and up)with Severe
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<br /> Autism. FORWARD and our project partners have had a unique opportunity to design housing that
<br /> sets a higher standard of living for individuals with Autism and related disabilities:All design
<br /> elements and plans address the.unique needs of.these individuals and create healthy and safe
<br /> community integration. The housing will also be"extremely" affordable, with residents having
<br /> incomes,below 30% of Area Median Income.
<br /> The project will consist of two single-story four-bedroom homes attached with a vestibule that
<br /> provides access to a rear courtyard. Each home will have four single bedrooms (S in total)with
<br /> semiprivate resident bathrooms (one full bathroom per two residents), common kitchen, living, and
<br /> recreational areas, a small workspace for 24/7 staff,'and a common mud room and powder room
<br /> for residents, staff and visitors. Key to the project are the special accommodations to meet a
<br /> spectrum of resident needs. Limitations in movement, vision, hearing, cognitive ability, constrained
<br /> space, behavioral difficulties, perception issues, pain, and other limitations can create obstacles to
<br /> their enjoyment and ease of life and often create a constant baseline for anxiety. Ideal housing
<br /> for people with Autism and related disorders includes ADA accessible accommodations and design
<br /> considerations for special building materials and furnishings, light, space, and multi-sensory
<br /> therapeutic needs.
<br /> The Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services (DDS) has certified the project for low-
<br /> income rent and service assistance, and will assess, process and place qualifying applicants from
<br /> the Department's pool of Priority One clients. No preference will be given to residents from any
<br /> particular town, this is truly regional affordable housing for all of Cape Cod. The Housing
<br /> Assistance Corporation (HAC) has provided consulting and fundraising assistance and will
<br /> continue to,assist us during the final development and construction portion of the project. Once
<br /> construction is complete, Cape Abilities will operate the facility and provide 24-hour onsite services
<br /> for the residents, while FORWARD will continue to own and maintain the buildings.
<br /> The total project cost when finished is estimated at$2,575,400.00, This specialized housing, which
<br /> addresses the lifetime needs of the most vulherable among us, is expensive to build due to the
<br /> unique requirements of the residents,The buildings must be one story, 00%ADA accessible,
<br /> have heavy duty interior construction, staff facilities, fire sprinklers, and a host of other special
<br /> accommodations. Because the costs are high, the development timeline is long, and the need is
<br /> regional, no single town has the capacity to build this housing on its own.
<br /> The Town of Dennis initiated the project b providing a 99-year lease at$1.00 rent per year for use
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<br /> of 4.6 acres of Town owned land, and through its Community Preservation Committee also
<br /> committed $500,000 to the project, Since that early funding, we have now also been awarded
<br /> $1,000,QOO.00 in state funding through a$500,000 National Housing Trust Fund grant and
<br /> FORWARD APPLICATION.November 1, 2019. Page 2 of-10
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