Construction upgrades through Swampscott Housing Authority are underway, funded by the Affordable Homes Act, according to the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities.

Gov. Maura Healey’s administration approved statewide public housing investments this past summer, including construction upgrades at multiple housing authorities in the North Shore. The Swampscott Housing Authority received $133,214.65 to renovate kitchens and bathrooms.

“These upgrades will make life safer for Swampscott residents,” said State Rep. Jennifer Armini (D–Essex). “They are not niceties. Outdated and broken appliances and utility connections and dilapidated cabinets are accidents waiting to happen in kitchens and baths. Prioritizing these vital living spaces is prioritizing community safety.”

The Swampscott Housing Authority has a total of 120 units of elderly, handicap and family housing at Duncan Terrace, Doherty Circle and Margaret Kelly. However, the Housing Authority must continually patch and paint these properties just to keep them marginally maintained, according to Swampscott Housing Authority Vice Chair Charlie Patsios.

Currently, the town doesn’t qualify for Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) reimbursements because of “our buildings are so deficient,” Patsios previously told the Swampscott Tides.

Although newer developments like the Westcott have added affordable housing to the town, Patsios called it a game of cat and mouse.” Market-rate units continue to outnumber affordable ones, increasing the pressure to create more affordable housing.

If Swampscott qualified HUD housing status, reimbursements for affordable housing units would increase by roughly three and a half times, according to Patsios.

In August, however, Swampscott was one of the 43 communities named a 2025 Housing Choice Community by Healey’s administration. The designation opens access to state funding, technical support for housing growth and local planning. Swampscott becomes eligible for partner programs to support future housing developments as well.

To earn the designation, Swampscott met benchmark criteria for housing production over the past five years. From 2020 to 2024, Swampscott added 305 affordable housing units, a 4.87% increase.

“Investing in our public housing authorities is important to make sure their buildings are safe, comfortable, and meet the energy efficiency needs of current times,” State Sen. Brendan Crighton (3rd Essex District). “We’re proud to allocate funding to support these projects and appreciate the partnership of the Healey-Driscoll Administration to advocate for our public housing authorities.”