The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has granted $19.7 million to Massachusetts nonprofit organizations to help produce accessible housing, offer rental assistance and support the elderly and persons with disabilities.

The grant funding, awarded under HUD’s Sections 202 and 811 Supportive Housing programs, is aimed at kick starting construction or major rehabilitation for more than 170 housing developments in 42 different states and Puerto Rico, according to a statement.  In Massachusetts, more than 115 elderly households and persons with disabilities will be affordably housed with access to needed services as a result of the grants.

"The Obama administration is committed to helping our senior citizens and persons with disabilities find a decent, affordable place to live that is close to needed healthcare services and transportation," HUD New England Regional Administrator Barbara Fields said in a statement. "Recent bipartisan changes to these two supportive housing programs will allow us to better serve some of our more vulnerable populations who would otherwise be struggling to find a safe and decent home of their own."