A New Chapter Begins

First row from left: Lydia Polaski (neighborhood liaison), Wendy Cohen (New Seasons Development), Jahna Gregory (Stratford Capital), Dina Scianna (Eastern Bank Foundation), Emily Shea (Age Strong Commission), Sheila Dillon (Chief of Housing for the City of Boston), Donna Brown (South Boston NDC executive director), City Councilor Ed Flynn. Second row: Deepti Kamma (Massachusetts Housing Partnership); Christine McConville (South Boston NDC board member), Burns Stanfield (South Boston NDC board member), Milton Baptista (Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston), Chris Rooney (MOH). Third row: Joe Daigneault (ICON Architecture), Jonathan Lavash (Jonathan Lavash Project Management), Nathan Peck (Kaplan Construction), Jacqueline Maloney (Kaplan Construction), Facundo Coitino-Lopez (South Boston NDC board member).

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South Boston NDC celebrated a major milestone Aug. 20 with the groundbreaking of McDevitt Senior Homes, an affordable housing development that will create 35 apartments for low-income seniors in the heart of South Boston.

The need for affordable senior housing has never been greater. According to a Boston University School of Social Work study, Boston is expected to see a three-fold increase in the number of homeless adults ages 65 and older by 2030. At the same time, the City’s Housing Boston 2030 plan projects that seniors will be Boston’s fastest-growing population group, increasing by 53% by 2030 — with 84% considered low-income.

McDevitt Senior Homes will help address this growing need by transforming the former St. Augustine’s Convent, a building with a remarkable history that most recently housed the Paraclete Foundation after-school program.

“As the need for affordable senior housing continues to grow, we are proud to transform this historic building into a place where seniors can age with dignity, security, and a strong sense of community,” said Donna Brown, South Boston NDC’s Executive Director. “This groundbreaking represents years of hard work, and we are excited to begin this next chapter.”

This project also reflects South Boston NDC’s commitment to supporting women-owned businesses and women leaders in the development and construction industries. Women-owned firms played key roles in bringing McDevitt Senior Homes to life, including ICON Architecture, New Seasons Development, Kaplan Construction, Joyce Consulting Group, and RBLA Design.

Early funding through the City of Boston as well as commitments from the state were key to the success of the project. Other funding sources include a grant from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston, construction and permanent funding from Eastern Bank, Mass Development Bond financing, and Stratford Capital Group is the equity partner.

South Boston NDC is grateful to all of our partners, funders, community members, and supporters.