2Life receives state funding for new senior housing development in Mattapan
Brighton, MA – February 14, 2025 – Brooke House at Olmsted Village, a senior housing development in Boston’s Mattapan neighborhood, has received an award of low-income housing tax credits, state bond funds, and rental subsidies from the Healey-Driscoll administration. On track to start construction in early 2026, Brooke House will provide 127 affordable, service-enriched apartments for seniors. Apartments will be 100% affordable to households with incomes up to 60% area median income (AMI), with additional subsidies to support deeper levels of affordability. The award is part of the administration’s push to expand affordable housing opportunities across the Commonwealth.
“High housing costs are one of the biggest challenges facing Massachusetts residents,” Governor Maura Healey stated in the announcement. “Our administration is refusing to kick the can down the road. We need to increase housing production across the state to lower costs — and these affordable housing awards will help us get there. Because of our tax cuts package, we’re able to give out more funding than ever before, which will directly support the creation of more than 1,000 affordable homes for seniors and families across our state.”
“We are grateful that the state is moving quickly to address the needs of its rapidly growing senior population, as evidenced by its strong support for this important project,” said Lizbeth Heyer, President of 2Life Communities, the senior housing developer, owner, operator, and advocate behind Brooke House. “At 2Life, we fully understand that increasing the amount of affordable senior housing in the state is critical to address economic insecurity and social isolation, the two greatest challenges facing older adults. Brooke House brings 2Life’s nationally recognized aging-in-community model to the vibrant Mattapan community for the first time.”
Brooke House was one of 14 affordable housing projects across the state to receive awards. Governor Healey, Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, Secretary Ed Augustus of the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, and local officials were on hand for Thursday’s announcement in Plymouth, home to one of the projects.
"Today marks a pivotal moment for our community with the announcement of funding for Brooke House at Olmsted Village in Mattapan,” said State Senator Liz Miranda (2nd Suffolk). “This innovative, affordable housing project will provide 127 new homes for seniors, while integrating healthcare, childcare, and community spaces to support the needs of all residents. As we continue to prioritize both sustainability and inclusivity, this project reflects our commitment to creating vibrant, multi-generational neighborhoods where people of all ages can thrive together! I am proud to support this transformative development, which will have lasting positive impacts for both our seniors and the broader community.”
“The Brooke House project is responsive to the many requests from seniors in the 6th Suffolk District for affordable housing tailored and designed to address their specific needs,” said State Representative Russell E. Holmes (6th Suffolk). “2Life has a proven record of listening to seniors and providing affordable housing, programs, and amenities for culturally diverse seniors to grow and strive as they age. We are at a critical juncture in time in which the needs of our communities are growing at the same time that access to supportive resources is dwindling. Brooke House represents the creative, out-of-the-box thinking we need to do more with less, enriching the Mattapan community through unique partnerships that benefit multiple generations.”
“Brooke House at Olmsted Village will be a game-changer for Mattapan. Housing seniors is a high priority, and 2Life’s track record of bridging generations is apparent with plans for the Shattuck Child Care Center to be relocated here. In addition, the Harvard Neighborhood Health Center's satellite office will provide much-needed healthcare for our community," said Brian Worrell, Boston City Councilor.
MASS Design Group, a world-renowned social-justice-focused firm, is the Brooke House architect. The highly efficient, sustainable, and resilient building has been designed to Passive House standards, bringing improved health, economic, and environmental benefits while reducing 2Life’s carbon footprint. Apartments will meet the highest standards of universal design to allow residents to remain in their homes as their physical needs change.
The ground floor will be a hub of activity. Like every 2Life community, Brooke House will incorporate a Village Center, a central gathering place for 2Life to both invite the broader community in and deliver to residents its award-winning programs and services, including resident services coordination, fitness/wellness programs, lifelong learning, and arts and culture programs. About 2,400 square feet will be publicly accessible community space, with a small convenience store included.
What makes Brooke House truly unique, according to 2Life’s Chief of Real Estate Zoe Weinrobe, is the integration of both the Harvard Street Neighborhood Health Center and the Shattuck Child Care Center.
“2Life is collaborating with two amazing partners that are already well-known and well-respected in the community to bring our model to an entirely new level,” said Weinrobe. “After being displaced by the closure of the former Lemuel Shattuck Hospital, the beloved Shattuck Child Care Center will be able to return to its original community and significantly increase the number of children served, creating new opportunities for interaction and enrichment for 2Life residents. At the same time, the Harvard Street Neighborhood Health Center, which serves as the primary resource for comprehensive community-based healthcare services in Mattapan, will have a new satellite clinic open to 2Life residents and the surrounding community, addressing healthcare access issues that can impact health and well-being.”
Brooke House is part of Olmsted Village, the redevelopment of the final 10 acres of the former Boston State Hospital Campus in Mattapan. As part of the project, 2Life is also developing Treehouse at Olmsted Village in partnership with the Treehouse Foundation, whose nationally recognized model unites foster, adoptive, and kinship families; young people at risk of aging out of the child welfare system alone; and older adults who become "honorary grandparents" to live in a safe and mutually supportive community that helps everyone heal and thrive. 2Life’s development partner, Lena New Boston, will round out Olmsted Village with a variety of wealth-building home ownership opportunities for moderate- and middle-income families.
Read the full announcement from the Healey-Driscoll administration here.
About 2Life Communities
2Life has been at the heart of positive change in the affordable senior housing ecosystem since 1965, with our residents at the center of everything we do. Our mission is to ensure that all seniors have the opportunity to thrive. To that end, we develop, own, operate, and provide supportive services to every one of our communities. In all we do, we advocate for and empower older adults to age with purpose and joy, meeting the integrated needs of seniors guided by our shared values of lovingkindness, community, and repairing the world.
