Hamilton at Mount Everett, where nonprofit Viet-AID and Hebrew SeniorLife will construct 36 low-income senior housing units on Hamilton Street in Dorchester. Image courtesy of Davis Square Architects

Gov. Maura Healey spotlighted the effects of Massachusetts’ housing affordability crisis on vulnerable populations in announcing $62 million that will support construction of 450 supportive housing units.

A mix of state and federal subsidies and tax credits will be used for new construction and renovation projects at 12 properties from western Massachusetts to Cape Cod, with many of the units reserved for low-income seniors or former homeless individuals. The funding includes the first federal American Rescue Plan funds allocated to fight homelessness.

Appearing with Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu at the Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Development Corp. Thursday, Healey reiterated her proposal to create a cabinet-level housing secretary to tackle the state’s affordability crisis.

The awards include three projects in Boston. Wu acknowledged the central role of nonprofit community development corporations in affordable housing creation and retention, particularly in locations that have access to health care, transportation and support services.

“Nothing happens in isolation,” Wu said.

Projects that will move forward under this year’s permanent supportive housing grants include:

• Hamilton at Mount Everett, where nonprofit Viet-AID and Hebrew SeniorLife will construct 36 low-income senior housing units on Hamilton Street in Dorchester;
• Cheney Homes in Grove Hall, where Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Development Corp. is partnership with service provider Uphams Corner Health Committee on 48 senior units and a senior care office;
• 3371 Washington St. in Jamaica Plain, where Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Development Corp. will develop 39 affordable senior units; 
• 170 Cottage St. in Chelsea, where The Neighborhood Developers will build 66 senior units and provide services for formerly homeless families;
• The second phase of Forward at the Rock in Dennis, including eight housing units for adults with autism by nonprofit Forward Inc.;
• 60 Wells St. in Greenfield, where Clinical Support Operations will renovate and expand a homeless shelter from 30 to 40 beds and construct an addition containing 36 studio apartments for the formerly homeless;
• Hennessey House in Lynn, a boardinghouse that will be converted into 51 studio apartments by Affordable Housing Assoc. of Lynn;
• Bracewell House in North Adams, where nonprofit Louison House will convert a two-family home into seven units of housing for homeless and at-risk individuals ages 18 to 24;
• First Street Apartments in Pittsfield, where Berkshire Housing Development Corp. will convert part of a church into nine housing units;
• West Housatonic Apartments, where Berkshire Housing Development Corp. will construct 28 studio apartments for former homeless individuals;
• 775 Worthington St. in Springfield, where Clinical Support Options and Friends of the Homeless will construct 36 studio apartments and a 40-bed shelter;
• And 237 Chandler St. in Worcester, the conversion of a historic building to create 20 studio apartments.

The $62 million in subsidies and tax credits will generate $74 million in equity for the projects, Healey’s office said.