BOSTON – Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray last week joined U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development New England Regional Administrator Barbara Fields and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Regional Director Christie Hager to announce a $5.3 million award to the Mass. Department of Housing and Community Development.

The funds will aid the state’s effort to increase supportive housing units and help hundreds of residents with disabilities avoid “homelessness or unnecessary institutionalization,” according to a news release.

The department will use the federal funding to offer rental assistance to 100 “extremely low-income” persons with disabilities, many of whom are transitioning out of institutional settings or are at extreme risk of homelessness. In addition to the 100 units funded by HUD’s Section 811 Project Rental Assistance Demonstration Program, DHCD has committed 50 vouchers that will provide a rent subsidy to the same population.

The HUD funding announced is part of $98 million awarded nationwide to 13 state housing agencies. •