Under Development: Hearth at Olmsted Green

At the Rising Tide event on April 27th, Tina Brooks, Undersecretary of the Massachusetts Dept. of Housing and Community Development, announced funding for Hearth at Olmsted Green. The support of both the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the City of Boston for this project has been overwhelming.

Hearth at Olmsted Green is designed to take a dramatic step in the evolution of addressing the housing needs of one of the most challenging populations in the Greater Boston area: homeless elders. One of the clearest paths to ending elder homelessness is to create more affordable housing with services for homeless elders. As Hearth is the only organization focusing specifically on the needs of homeless elders, building Hearth at Olmsted Green is a unique opportunity - not only bringing us much closer to eliminating homelessness in Boston, but serving as a national prototype of Hearth's effective model to end elder homelessness.

Layout of Hearth at Olmsted Green apartment

Hearth at Olmsted Green will increase the supply of Hearth's supportive housing by over 40%. Fifty-nine new units of supportive housing will give vulnerable elders the opportunity to live with considerable independence, and at a lower cost to the larger community than if they lived on the streets, in shelters, or moved prematurely into skilled nursing environments.

Hearth at Olmsted Green will feature extensive common areas including lounges, a library, a "Brain Gym," therapeutic offices, and a common dining area, all designed to encourage community. The dining area will open on to a dramatic landscaped terrace.

Olmsted Green

Olmsted Green, named after Frederick Olmsted, the famous landscape architect who designed Boston's "Emerald Necklace," is a mixed income community which, upon completion, will include housing, recreational facilities, services, and economic development opportunities. Municipal bus services will be located at a centralized station, connecting Olmsted Green with the larger Boston community.

Learn more about the larger Olmsted Green Development

Funding Awarded for Hearth at Olmsted Green
Hearth Newsletter - Summer/Fall 2009
Governor Patrick Celebrates Launch of Olmsted Green's Rental Apartments
Mass.gov - Tuesday, May 06, 2008
"A Forest in the City"
Affordable Housing Finance, January 2007
Dream now reality as Olmsted Green rises
Boston Baystate Banner - June 22, 2006
Mayor Menino Breaks Ground for Olmsted Green
City of Boston - May 24, 2006
BRA Votes to Support Olmsted Green
City of Boston - January 26, 2006
Lena New Boston's Olmsted Green website

Location

Hearth at Olmsted Green is situated within the larger Olmsted Green project, located on the former Boston State Hospital site adjacent to Franklin Park. Click here to see a map.

Quick Facts

Hearth at Olmsted Green will increase the supply of Hearth's supportive housing by over 40%.

Hearth at Olmsted Green will serve as a national prototype of Hearth's effective model to end elder homelessness.

Hearth is employing sustainable development principles that will surpass the City of Boston’s Green Building standards.

Residents will have easy access to to municipal bus services located at a centralized station near to the entrance to Hearth.

As with all Hearth sites, Hearth at Olmsted Green will be staffed with professionals including nurses, social workers, site directors, personal care homemakers, activity coordinators, and resident assistants.