Treehouse at Easthampton Meadow is a unique supportive multigenerational community where families who are fostering or recently adopted children through the Department of Children and Families live alongside older adults who volunteer with the youth 6-10 hours each week.
The 60-unit rental community in Easthampton, part of the larger Easthampton Meadow developed by Beacon Communities, was permitted in part under Chapter 40B, the Commonwealth’s regional planning law. MassHousing provided $5.2 million in financing for Treehouse at Easthampton Meadow and the adjacent Homes at Easthampton Meadow.
In addition to its unique supportive model, Treehouse at Easthampton Meadow features sustainable development principles such as deeded open space, higher density development, a walking/pedestrian system and energy efficient homes.
Treehouse at Easthampton Meadow offers 60 apartment homes, comprised of 48 one-bedroom cottages for people ages 55 and older, and 12 multi-bedroom townhouses for families. Of the 12 family townhomes, six are affordable and six are rented at market rates. All of the one-bedroom apartments are affordable.
A vibrant Community Center serves as the heart of the community, providing space for neighborhood gatherings, social, educational and community building activities and support services. It includes a Library/Computer Center, commercial kitchen, a multipurpose activity room, and office space for Beacon Residential Management, Treehouse Foundation and the Berkshire Center for Families and Children, a licensed child welfare agency that provides daily on-site support to children and families as well as the elders who support them. There are also two playgrounds and a community garden.
The Treehouse community received broad support from the City of Easthampton, the Department of Children and Families, and the Commonwealth's affordable housing agencies. The state agencies recognized the innovative and cost-effective approach to providing housing as well as programs and services for seniors, families, and children in the public foster care system.
