The Mel King Institute for Community Building has been awarded a $75,000 grant from MassHousing which will help community development corporations (CDCs) build and preserve affordable housing, create jobs and foster opportunities for residents of the commonwealth.

The Mel King Institute sponsors trainings for community development professionals, serves as a clearinghouse for CDCs to pursue programs, projects and form strategic partnerships, provides technical assistance and leverages the resources of institutions, according to a statement.

"Mel King was a visionary in founding the community development movement in Massachusetts and the enormous benefits created by the Mel King Institute are felt every day in neighborhoods across the commonwealth," said MassHousing Executive Director Thomas R. Gleason. "Community development corporations play a vital role in providing affordable housing and opportunities for low and moderate income residents and MassHousing is pleased to provide funding for this very important mission."

"MassHousing’s support of the Mel King Institute is helping to build a strong community development field, which in turn will build stronger communities and a stronger commonwealth," said Joe Kriesberg, president of the Massachusetts Association of Community Development Corporations. "MassHousing and its board of directors are showing true leadership and vision by investing in a long term and comprehensive approach to building and sustaining high quality homes and communities for the people of the commonwealth."