President and CEO Mark Hinderlie was interviewed by Montana Public Radio to discuss how Homelessness among older people is on the rise.
In Memory of Dawn Matchett
Dawn outside of the Anna Bissonnette House
It is with heavy hearts that we mourn the loss of our cherished and beloved colleague Dawn Matchett, who was a dedicated member of our Hearth, Inc. community as the Chief Program Officer, who touched the lives of many residents and staff for over 22 years. Her unwavering commitment to providing the highest level of care and support was evident in everything she did. Her kind words of encouragement, and unwavering positivity were a constant source of inspiration to us all. Dawn's amazing work ethic and passion for helping others and to our mission of ending elder homelessness will always be remembered and cherished. Her spirit will continue to live on in the lives she touched, and we will forever be grateful for the impact she had on our community.
““In Dawn we found our literal beating heart and soul. She has taken on every responsibility and title with a sense of pride, driven by the idea that we can always do better. Her work with the elders and leadership with the staff have made Hearth what it is today, a leader in ending elder homelessness.” ”
Dawn Matchett Obituary
Dawn Lynn Matchett of Beverly Farms, Massachusetts, age 52, passed away peacefully at home on May 23, 2023 after a long battle with breast cancer. In her final days, she was surrounded by her loving family, amazing friends and cat Molly.
Born in Hartford, Connecticut, Dawn attended Gordon College and went on to receive her Masters degree from Simmons College School of Social Work. For 22 years Dawn served at-risk seniors in the Boston area through her work with Hearth Inc, most recently serving as the Chief Program Officer.
Dawn’s happiest moments were when she was surrounded by family and friends, vacationing in Martha’s Vineyard, celebrating holidays, spending time at the beach and enjoying summer evenings at a vineyard enjoying wine, music and watching the sunset. Her favorite childhood memories included spending summers in South Lyme, CT and swimming in the waters off Point O’ Woods Beach with her mother, brother and friends.
Dawn was a great cook and baker. The warmth and love she poured into her creations were evident in every bite. Beyond her culinary skills, Dawn was a thoughtful and caring person who made everyone around her feel loved and appreciated. She had a special bond with her beloved niece and nephew, Finley and Cole, and relished in being the best aunt.
Dawn is survived by her brother Scott Matchett, sister-in-law Debbie, nephew Cole and niece Finley and her partner for 15 years Kevin Poyant. She was the daughter of the late Carol W. Matchett of Hartford, CT.
A remembrance will be held June 10 from 2pm-4pm at Campbell Funeral Home in Beverly, Massachusetts. Dawn will be laid to rest in a private ceremony at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Hartford, CT.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Dawn’s memory to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute or Hearth Inc.
Channel 7 News: Senior Citizens on the Street
America’s homeless ranks graying as more retire on streets
The AP recently published a story about older adults retiring on the streets interviewing Hearth resident Nestor Castro and Hearth’s President and CEO Mark Hinderlie.
Hearth Inc. CEO Mark Hinderlie said far more housing needs to be built and made affordable for the aged, especially now as the numbers of graying homeless people surge. It’s cheaper to house people than leave them homeless,” Hinderlie said. “You have to rethink what housing can be.”
Read the full story on America’s homeless ranks graying as more retire on streets
2021 Winter Newsletter
Read more about turning 30 and hear directly from staff and residents.
At Home at Last
On November 25, 2021 Hearth resident, Tity Bangura, was featured by the Boston Globe talking about her recent move into Hearth at Four Corners. Click here to read the full article.
2021 Summer Newsletter
Hearth turns 30 and so much more! Read the 2021 Summer Newsletter here
Hearth at Four Corners - Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
Representative Russell Holmes, Hearth founder Ellen Feingold, City of Boston Mayor, Kim Janey, Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Mike Kennealy, Hearth President and CEO, Mark Hinderlie, and Hearth Founder Anna Bissonnette.
Photo by City of Boston Mayor Office photographer John Wilcox.
BOSTON - Wednesday, June 30, 2021- Today, Mayor Kim Janey, the State of Massachusetts Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Michael Kennealy, Hearth President and CEO Mark Hinderlie, D.F. Pray President Scott Pray, the Hearth Board of Directors and local elected officials joined Hearth at Four Corners residents and neighborhood residents to celebrate the grand opening of Hearth at Four Corners. The more than $19 million housing development created 54 new units of supportive, affordable housing for older adults, and is located on a previously vacant city-owned lot at 16 Ronald Street in Dorchester. Today’s announcement demonstrates the City of Boston’s commitment to creating more equitable affordable housing for older residents.
“As a city, we measure our success by how we serve all of our people. I'm proud that together with our partners, we've created these affordable and beautiful new homes for older Boston residents, offering a place that they are proud to call home,” said Mayor Janey. “These new homes are an example of our commitment to preserving and growing our affordable housing options in our city. I want to thank all partners involved for making Hearth at Four Corners possible, which will make a positive difference in the lives of the residents and the Dorchester neighborhood.”
Hearth at Four Corners created 54 affordable apartments for older Boston residents, creating 52 one-bedroom units and two studio apartments. All residents living in the new 48,867 square foot building have access to on-site concierge services and a Resident Service Coordinator. They also have onsite wellness services. The new housing development serves individuals age 62 or older who have a range of incomes, including eight units for formerly homeless individuals, 11 units for clients of the Department of Mental Health, 19 units for those with incomes up to 30% of the area median income (AMI) ($26,850 for an individual), 18 units for incomes up to 50% of AMI ($44,800 for an individual), and 17 units for those incomes up to 60% of AMI ($53,760 for an individual).
“We are so glad to be able to work with all of our partners to create beautiful, affordable housing for older Bostonians,” said Jessica Boatright, Deputy Director of the Neighborhood Housing Division for the Department of Neighborhood Development. “We know how important it is to create housing for our aging residents to ensure that they are able to continue to live in the City that they have helped to build and call their home. Hearth at Four Corners is a wonderful addition for older Bostonians and for the neighborhood.”
“When you’re in a shelter or on the streets, you’re just surviving. You’re only thinking about your next meal and where you’re going to sleep,” said Hearth at Four Corners resident Juanita. “When I moved into my apartment, I couldn’t believe how much stuff was already there. Hearth provided me with a bed, new sheets, couch, everything for my kitchen and bathroom. It’s like they knew the toll surviving takes on a person, and they were going to help me live, again. All these years all I wanted was housing, but Hearth found me a home. I want to thank Mayor Janey, everyone from the city, the shelters and especially at Hearth for not giving up on people like me and helping me make this dream come true. I finally have a home!”
Hearth at Four Corners construction used the highest standards of universal design throughout the new building to accommodate older adults of all abilities. The building meets LEED Silver, Energy Star, and Enterprise Green Community standards.
“Every day at the Age Strong Commission, we hear from older Bostonians facing homelessness and struggling with housing issues,” said Commissioner Shea. “I am proud of this partnership for what it’s going to mean to so many older adults, providing not only a place to sleep, but a home and a community where they can live and thrive. Now more than ever, we need to come together to empower older adults and build supportive communities like this one.”
Financing for the project includes support from the City of Boston, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston, and State, Federal low-income housing tax credits, MassDevelopment, Citizens, and Eastern Bank. Philanthropic support was provided by Charles H. Farnsworth Trust, Charlesbank Homes, and individual donors.
“Hearth at Four Corners represents a new phase of Hearth’s meeting its mission of ending homelessness among older adults, developed after 30 years of local and national leadership in addressing this often-overlooked population,” stated Mark Hinderlie, CEO of the developer, Hearth, Inc. “Hearth’s previous 174 units were built or developed specifically for formerly homeless older adults or those at imminent risk of homelessness. Four Corners incorporates a new focus on preventing homelessness by providing opportunities for those with very low to moderately low incomes to afford to remain safely housed in a beautiful, affordable home.”
The new building is located on the former Ronald Gibson School site, near the MBTA Fairmount line. The construction of the new building was done by Hearth’s contractor D.F. Pray, and the new development received support from the community, the Erie Ellington Brinsley Neighborhood Association. D.F. Pray also adheres to the City of Boston’s Residents Jobs Policy on construction projects, with Hearth at Four Corners exceeding the City’s target of 40% by hiring 65.3% minority contractors.
In the past five years, 424 units for older residents have either been completed or are currently in construction, 93 percent of which are income-restricted units. Also, the City has seven more developments in the pipeline that will create 374 more units for older residents.
The construction of Hearth at Four Corners strongly aligns with the City of Boston’s housing goals to produce affordable housing for older Bostonians, as outlined in Housing a Changing City: Boston 2030. Through Housing A Changing City: Boston 2030, the City’s housing plan, the City set a target of creating 2,000 low-income elderly units by 2030. Along with Hearth at Four Corners is Grace Apartments in East Boston, The Barton Rogers School in Hyde Park, and several other projects, the City has permitted or constructed 627 new low-income units for older residents.
About the Department of Neighborhood Development (DND)
The Department of Neighborhood Development is responsible for housing people experiencing homelessness, developing affordable housing, and ensuring that renters and homeowners can find, maintain, and stay in their homes. As part of the ongoing coronavirus response, the Office of Housing Stability is also conducting tenant’s rights workshops to educate residents about the eviction moratorium and their rights. The Boston Home Center continues to provide down payment assistance to first-time home buyers and home repairs for seniors and low-income residents. The Supportive Housing Division works with various partners around the city to rapidly house individuals who are experiencing homelessness. For more information, please visit the DND website.
About Hearth, Inc.
Celebrating thirty years, Hearth, Inc. was founded in 1991 as a nonprofit with a mission to end elder homelessness. Hearth has developed 228 units of housing, including Hearth at Four Corners. They have placed over 2,700 older adults in safe housing with appropriate services, both in Hearth housing and through their Outreach Program, and created a National Leadership Initiative, which has resulted in the development of tens of thousands of units of permanent supportive housing for homeless and at-risk older adults by its partner organizations from coast to coast. For more information, please visit www.hearth-home.org
2020 Winter Newsletter
Faces of Hearth
The difference you’re making for seniors in need.
Get the latest updates on your impact during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Read Hearth’s Winter Newsletter
I Am Hearth: Paula
On November 20th 2018, Hearth welcomed Paula with keys to her new apartment and presented her with brand new home good items to help ease her transition into housing. For the last four years Paula has lived at various shelters across the city.
After settling in to her new space, Paula recounted, that for the first time in a long while, she would be able to wake up the next morning without someone telling her to get up, pack, and leave. This would also be the first time in years Paula took a shower without fear of someone taking her belongings. Perhaps the most exciting thing for Paula though, was the thought of running errands in the middle of the afternoon and being able to go back to a place she can call home. As she finished unpacking and hung up her new shower curtain, Paula began to shed happy tears. She was finally home!
One week after moving in, Paula invited a small group of staff and residents to her apartment. She was making her first home-made meal in four years, chicken alfredo. She slowly shook her head and said, "can you believe it? I haven't made a meal in years and tonight I'm using my own kitchen, my own pots and pans, and I can invite guests over. Hearth has changed everything for me."