BOSTON – December 18, 2024 – A mix of public, private and grant financing is in place for the Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Development Corporation (JPNDC) to redevelop an underutilized Dorchester parcel into 48 new, deeply affordable and service rich apartment homes for senior citizens.

The Cheney Homes will involve the demolition of an existing dilapidated structure and the new construction of 48 service-enriched apartments for seniors aged 55 and older. JPNDC designed the new housing to meet the needs of seniors as they age in place and will offer robust supportive services through the Uphams Corner Health Committee (UCHC), including a full-time resident services coordinator and a part-time nurse.

"The lack of affordable housing endangers the health of elderly people every single day, especially among BIPOC seniors," said JPNDC CEO Teronda Ellis. "We are thrilled that with the partnership of MassHousing, the City of Boston and others, we will create 48 new homes where our seniors can grow older with the dignity they deserve."

"The Cheney Homes project represents a vital step in our efforts to create deeply affordable, service-enriched housing for older Bostonians," said Sheila A. Dillon, Boston's Chief of Housing. "By transforming an underutilized parcel in Grove Hall into a vibrant community where older residents can age with dignity and access comprehensive care, JPNDC is addressing critical housing needs while strengthening the fabric of our neighborhoods. This project underscores Boston's commitment to providing every resident, regardless of age or income, with a place to call home."

"MassHousing is excited for the future residents of Cheney Homes who will have deeply affordable apartment homes with many supportive services through UCHC program," said MassHousing CEO Chrystal Kornegay. "The collaboration between the many mission-driven partners involved in this project will help to turn a blighted parcel in the heart of Grove Hall into a new, vibrant housing community for seniors."

JPNDC is developing Cheney Homes with financing from the City of Boston, MassHousing, the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC), Eastern Bank, the Massachusetts Housing Investment Corporation (MHIC), and the allocation of federal and state Low Income Housing Tax Credits.

"Our fourth collaboration with JPNDC, Cheney Homes, will be a significant enhancement to the Grove Hall neighborhood, offering essential affordable housing options for seniors, along with a community space dedicated to connection and care services," said Moddie Turay, President and CEO of MHIC. "We extend our gratitude to the City of Boston, EOHLC, and Eastern Bank for their invaluable partnership with MHIC in supporting this project, which is committed to prioritizing racial equity and inclusion throughout the development process."

The project site, in the Grove Hall neighborhood, is less than a block from Blue Hill Avenue, which offers a range of retail options and several MBTA bus routes. Commuter rail service is available at the Four Corner/Geneva station half a mile away.

JPNDC will develop a four-story, wood-framed building with Passive House standards and common areas including a kitchen, dining room and outdoor courtyard to promote social interaction in an independent living environment. The common spaces will occupy the ground floor with an amenity space on the fourth floor and the apartments will be on the upper floors. All 48 apartments will be restricted to households with incomes ranging from 30 percent to 60 percent of the Area Median Income with 36 of the units receiving support from federal (eight units) and state (28 units) project-based housing subsidies. There will be 46 one-bedroom apartments and two two-bedroom apartments.

The general contractor is NEI General Contracting, the architect is ICON Architecture, and the management agent is UHM Properties. 

About JPNDC

Founded in 1977, JPNDC pursues the mission of transforming the lives and amplifies the voices of Boston residents who have been excluded from prosperity by racial and economic inequities. JPNDC's work over 47 years has brought more than $730 million to Jamaica Plain, Roxbury, and Dorchester. Our affordable housing has replaced underutilized land, distressed buildings, and properties at risk of losing affordability with 979 high-quality, stable homes for low-income families, seniors, and formerly homeless people. JPNDC has also developed 250,000 square feet of vibrant commercial space and provides childcare, small business, employment, and financial capability services to 850 households a year.

About the Mayor's Office of Housing

The Mayor's Office of Housing (MOH) works with partners to create and preserve affordable housing and prevent displacement, while supporting at-risk residents with housing stabilization services. MOH leads Continuum of Care services for Boston, connecting unsheltered individuals and those struggling with substance abuse disorder to housing and care. Through the Boston Home Center, MOH provides funding and technical assistance to boost homeownership opportunities for BIPOC and lower-income residents and supports critical repairs to make Boston’s housing stock climate-ready and fossil fuel free. As stewards of tax-foreclosed land and buildings, MOH works with Boston’s residents to create and preserve urban agriculture and open space. For more information, please visit the MOH website. 

About MassHousing

MassHousing (The Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency) is an independent, quasi-public agency created in 1966 and charged with providing financing for affordable housing in Massachusetts. The Agency raises capital by selling bonds and lends the proceeds to low- and moderate-income homebuyers and homeowners, and to developers who build or preserve affordable and/or mixed-income rental housing. MassHousing does not use taxpayer dollars to sustain its operations, although it administers some publicly funded programs on behalf of the Commonwealth. Since its inception, MassHousing has provided approximately $29 billion for affordable housing. For more information, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

About Massachusetts Housing Investment Corporation

Founded in 1990, MHIC is an innovative private, non-profit financier of affordable housing and community development, providing financing that would not otherwise be available, and extending the impact of that financing to ensure the broadest possible benefit, especially to low-income neighborhoods and communities of color. MHIC has evolved from a Massachusetts-based loan pool to a full-service capital markets platform of debt and equity products serving New England. Supported by an experienced and dedicated staff, MHIC has invested more than $3.2 billion in 658 developments, representing more than 25,500 homes and 6.9 million square feet of commercial space. For more information, email edf@mhic.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

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