Mayor Sullivan Attends South Shore HOME Consortium Ribbon Cutting

Federal, state and local officials, including Braintree Mayor Joseph Sullivan, 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 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 Braintree, Milton, Holbrook and Weymouth. Since 1992, the municipalities have received over $13.5 million for the communities' specific affordable housing needs.

This year, U.S. HUD HOME funds were applied toward the First Time Homebuyer Program in Braintree.

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.

For more information, visit www.workinc.org.