WRENTHAM — Town Administrator Kevin Sweet is pleased to announce that the town of Wrentham was awarded a Housing Choice Community designation from the state yesterday.

The Baker-Polito Administration recognizes municipalities that have prioritized affordable housing and sustainable housing development through the Housing Choice Designation. The designation allows municipalities to apply to exclusive Housing Choice Capital Grants, and bolsters their applications to other state funding programs, such as MassWorks and MassDOT capital projects.

Director of Planning and Economic Development Rachel Benson attended a ceremony at the Ellis Factory in Haverhill Thursday where she accepted the award. Gov. Charlie Baker, Acting Undersecretary of Housing and Community Development Jennifer Maddox and Housing Choice Program Director Chris Kluchman attended the ceremony.

“This is going to open up grant opportunities for the town, and will help fund projects to further housing initiatives for new families, middle income citizens and seniors,” Benson said. “It will fund projects that specifically target those demographics.”

Wrentham earned the designation because of it’s 12.6 percent affordable housing rate and five percent housing growth over the last five years. The state encourages cities and towns to have at least 10 percent of their housing stock qualify as affordable housing.

“This designation is a great honor, and a step forward for the town of Wrentham,” Town Administrator Sweet said. “We look forward to pursuing our affordable housing goals, and working to support our seniors, young families and middle income residents.”

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