Massachusetts Smart Growth Alliance

The Gateway Action Plus Initiative was a program that granted funding to 18 cities in Massachusetts to assist in urban revitalization efforts. The communities chosen were "gateway cities", municipalities with greater than 35,000 people and below average incomes and educational attainment

DHCD awarded $1.35 million on November 25, 2008 to 18 cities to assist urban revitalization efforts through a new state initiative designed to support affordable housing and economic development opportunities for mixed-income communities across Massachusetts.  Gateway Plus Action Grants provided assistance to cities for neighborhood or downtown planning activities that expand housing opportunities and that support the revitalization of neighborhoods to enhance economic vitality and the quality of life for all residents, including efforts to:

• Identify appropriate sites and strategies for a broad range of housing opportunities, either rental or ownership, including affordable, market-rate, workforce, employer-assisted, elderly or special needs.

• Expedite housing construction or rehabilitation through regulatory mechanisms such as changes to zoning, streamlined permitting and use of comprehensive permits.

• Revitalize neighborhoods that support affordable and workforce housing.

• Minimize the impacts of foreclosures.

• Expand housing opportunities in downtowns or neighborhood commercial areas.

The program encourages collaboration among state government and municipal officials, civic leaders, community-based organizations, institutions operating in the community/neighborhood and/or region, and particularly the neighborhood residents of Massachusetts' regional cities.