2Life Communities’ Solimine House in Lynn receives state funding, tax credits, and vouchers
Brighton, MA – January 30, 2024 – 2Life Communities has been awarded a combination of State Funding, State Low Income Housing Tax Credits, and Massachusetts Rental Vouchers to support the development of its Solimine House community, 150 affordable supportive senior housing apartments, located in Lynn. Governor Maura Healey announced the funding this week as part of an initiative to build and preserve 1,900 housing units across the state in 19 different municipalities.
Located at 500 Lynnfield Street in Lynn, Solimine House will offer service-enriched affordable housing and a unique integration of housing, community, and healthcare services. The community abuts a new Program for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) Center operated by Element Care and the North Shore’s Mass General Brigham Medical Center. PACE is a unique program that provides community-based health and homecare services to help low-income, frail seniors meet their healthcare needs.
In addition to the award of subsidies and state and federal tax credits, residents of Solimine House will also be supported by project-based rental vouchers provided by both the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) and the Lynn Housing Authority & Neighborhood Development (LHAND). Residents of those apartments will pay just 30% of their income towards rent.
“2Life is thrilled to bring this all affordable supportive development to fruition in Lynn,” said 2Life Communities Chief of Real Estate Zoe Weinrobe. “Because of this support from the Healey-Driscoll Administration and the City of Lynn, we are able to provide housing that is deeply affordable to seniors in Lynn in a beautiful, passive-house certified, and sustainable building.”
Solimine House will also be a model for integrating affordable supportive senior housing and healthcare. It will be connected to Element Care’s PACE Center, and include a set-aside of 11 apartments for PACE-eligible residents. Element Care’s on-site continuum of care will be an incredible complement to 2Life’s current programs and services and offer one more powerful tool in our aging in community toolkit by supporting a subset of our most frail population to age in community instead of a nursing home; a more joyous way to live and a far less expensive proposition for the state than a costly Medicaid bed.
Funding for the programs that are part of the Governor’s announcement comes from state subsidies and the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program, which saw a $20 million increase through the tax package the governor signed last fall. Nearly $95 million for the projects comes from state and federal tax credits as well as about $138 million from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, the Housing and Stabilization Fund, and the Housing Innovation Fund. “The funding of these projects is proof that housing production for all of our communities is a top priority for the Healey-Driscoll Administration. The governor's Affordable Homes Act will soon fund even more, much needed, affordable housing in the commonwealth”, said Secretary Augustus.
"We are thrilled with the announcement of State funding for Solimine House”, said David Solimine, Jr. and Magnolia Contreras. “We are a step closer to breaking ground for 150 units of affordable senior housing for Lynn Residents. With this project, we are returning the former Union Hospital site to the community that we love."
“The state funding to support deeply affordable units for seniors at the future Solimine House development is incredibly exciting. We appreciate all who have been involved in this project and look forward to the creation of the much-needed housing along with the delivery of care that our seniors deserve.” Jared Nicholson, Mayor, City of Lynn
“As our residents continue to face a statewide housing crisis, this funding will help address the need for quality, affordable housing for our seniors, while also providing a great benefit to the community at large. Thank you to the Healey-Driscoll Administration for making this critical investment and to all of the community partners who have worked collaboratively to make this transformative project a reality.” Brendan Crighton, Massachusetts State Senator, Third Essex
“This significant award not only is a testament to 2Life’s efforts, but it also shows the strong commitment to housing by the Healey-Driscoll Administration. The Solimine House project fits perfectly with the community recommendations that came out of the City’s recently created Housing Production Plan. We are pleased that support from LHAND, the city, and its residents, can help leverage these state funding awards, and we are excited to see the project break ground in the near future.” Charlie Gaeta, Executive Director, Lynn Housing Authority and Neighborhood Development (LHAND)
The new building will consist of three interconnected houses, each four to five stories, with a Village Center consisting of common spaces for fitness and wellness activities, arts and culture, communal meals, and other community events— hallmarks of all 2Life campuses. A central courtyard will open up to 40,000 square feet of green space and walking paths, accessible to the surrounding neighborhood.
Solimine House is designed to Passive House standards, bringing improved health, economic, and environmental benefits to residents and reducing the space’s overall carbon footprint.
About 2Life Communities
2Life Communities, a nonprofit organization founded in 1965, operates on the belief that all seniors should have the opportunity to live a full life of connection and purpose in a dynamic, supportive environment – a model called aging in community, which directly combats the growing public health crisis of social isolation and loneliness amongst older adults. At 2Life Communities, residents can step out the doors of their own apartments and find friendship, community, physical and intellectual stimulation, and a helping hand day or night. Serving a diverse population of over 1,530 older adults, 2Life creates communities with a laser sharp focus on affordability – a tremendous concern in Massachusetts, the state with the 2nd largest gap in the U.S. between seniors’ median income and the cost of living.
