Somerville Housing Authority to transform unused land into affordable senior housing
The Somerville Journal
8/2/10
Somerville -- The House of Representatives and Senate recently passed a bill filed by Sen. Pat Jehlen and Rep. Carl Sciortino allowing the Somerville Housing Authority to turn an unused area of land into affordable senior housing center. The historic Mystic Water Works building dates back to 1864 and can be converted into as many as 26 one-bedroom apartments.
The bill provides land at 485 Mystic Valley Parkway to the Somerville Housing Authority from the commonwealth for $1. There has been a development plan in the pipeline for the conversion of the old water plant; passing the legislation is the final step in getting the project underway. The property is adjacent to the new VNA senior assisted living facility and the Somerville Housing Authority's Capen Court senior housing, which is currently undergoing reconstruction. These new units will have easy access to services and amenities and contribute to the burgeoning senior community in West Somerville.
Access to affordable housing is an ongoing issue in the commonwealth; seniors may remain on housing waitlists for years. Sciortino has worked to address this problem since he first assumed office. In 2006, he passed his first piece legislation, which allowed for the construction of the VNA.
"This is another tremendous step in our efforts to support seniors in our community," said Sciortino. "This project provides low-cost, attractive housing options with support services and amenities within reach. Repurposing the old water station and the construction jobs the project provides will contribute to the effort to boost the economy of Somerville and strengthen our community."
"This new development, along with continued interest in our housing system for senior residents, will let us continue to ensure that Somerville remains a welcoming and livable city," said Jehlen, who filed the home rule petition in the Senate and ushered through an emergency preamble to expedite the transfer. "The new, modern units will be places where seniors can be proud to live. I'm pleased that the Legislature voted to give this land to the housing authority so they could commence work as quickly as possible."
The Somerville Housing Authority has been effective at providing and managing affordable housing for residents across the city.
"We continue to be committed to providing the senior residents of Somerville the option of low-cost housing to meet their needs," said Joseph R. Macaluso, executive director of the Somerville Housing Authority.
"We try to allow seniors to achieve a maximum amount of independence and will be working with them once the new housing is built to achieve that goal. Receiving the land from the state essentially for free will allow us to being construction sooner rather than later."
The Somerville Housing Authority provides housing to low- and moderate-income families and individuals in the city. The housing units were designed by Design Consultants Inc., a company known in the Boston area for working on many multi-unit dwellings, including the Weston Avenue Townhouse Complex in Somerville and the Rindge Avenue Condos in Cambridge.