TND and EBNHC provide affordable housing and healthcare with new development

Everett, MA In a partnership, The Neighborhood Developers (TND), a leading affordable housing and community development organization, and East Boston Neighborhood Health Center (EBNHC), Massachusetts’ largest community-based primary care health system, unveiled the new St. Therese development on Broadway. Pairing quality, affordable home ownership and rental opportunities with easy on-site access to healthcare and wellness services for older adults, St. Therese brings a combination of affordable housing and healthcare resources to Everett seniors and their families.

“St. Therese is a triple impact project,” said Rafael Mares, executive director of The Neighborhood Developers. “By providing senior housing, affordable homeownership, and healthcare to the Everett community, our trailblazing partnership with East Boston Neighborhood Health Center has the unique opportunity to increase the health, wealth and wellbeing of the neighborhood and its residents.”

TND’s first development in Everett, St. Therese includes 77 affordable rental apartments all occupied by seniors aged 62 and older, and six three-bedroom townhomes for sale at below market prices. Fully occupied, the rental apartments include 30 units, available at up to 30% area median income (AMI), and 47 units for individuals with up to 60% AMI. Three of the town homes are available to households with up to 80% AMI and three for households with up to 120% AMI.

“The creation of affordable housing units and increasing accessibility to quality health care are critical for us to ensure that Everett families can remain here in our community in the future,” said Everett mayor Carlo DeMaria. “I would like to thank everyone involved in the St. Therese project who shared in our commitment to helping our residents who are in need of affordable housing by making this project a reality.”

“We believe that communities are stronger and healthier when older adults are able to age in place and live safely at home,” said Greg Wilmot, president and CEO of East Boston Neighborhood Health Center. “The Neighborhood Developers, and the many other partners who supported this project, shared a vision of integrating high-quality healthcare services with affordable senior housing to keep Everett’s aging population healthy and thriving. We are proud of this beautiful space that will allow grandparents, aunts, uncles, and other relatives to continue to be our neighbors in the Everett community.”

Unveiled to the public on June 22, Massachusetts civic leaders in housing and healthcare convened alongside St. Therese residents and local community members to celebrate the new development.

“This development will drastically improve lives and serve as a blueprint for expanding access to affordable housing and healthcare throughout our state,” said state senator Sal DiDomenico. “These two community organizations are solving intersecting crises with this innovative project and now older adults across Everett will get the healthcare, housing, and services they deserve to live a life with dignity and joy. I am proud to support the work of The Neighborhood Developers and I am thrilled they are creating housing opportunities in our city.”

“This innovative project addresses the multi-pronged nature of community wellbeing,” said Massachusetts state representative Judith Garcia, 11^th Suffolk District. “Our neighbors at St. Therese will be able to stay in the city that they know and love, and they’ll have access to the services that they deserve. People need a safe place to live and good healthcare, and The Neighborhood Developers and East Boston Neighborhood Health Center are making sure they have them both.”

“I am quite thrilled with this project, as it provides a critical housing need for one of our most vulnerable populations using existing infrastructure and maintaining Everett integrity,” said Massachusetts state representative Joseph McGonagle, Jr., 28^th Middlesex District. “I’m excited for the seniors who get to live here but also recognize there is still much work to be done for those still waiting. I’m grateful to the groups who helped this project be turned into a reality, especially the Neighborhood Developers, Mystic Valley Elder Services and the City of Everett.”

“The Neighborhood Developers have created truly affordable housing opportunities for Everett senior residents. Through the partnership with East Boston Neighborhood Health Center, they’ve created a community for our most vulnerable residents that reaches beyond the physical building,” said City Councilor Ward 3 Darren Costa. “I am hopeful that this is just the beginning of a collaborative relationship that will help Everett residents continue to call our city home. Rafael and the team at TND have proven thoughtful and transparent partners in offering affordable housing solutions for Everett.”