$129M Tax-Exempt Bond To Be Used For Senior Housing In Newton

NEWTON, MA – MassDevelopment has issued a $129 million tax-exempt bond on behalf of 2Life Opus Newton LLC. to build more housing for middle-income seniors.

2Life Opus Newton, an affiliate of 2Life Communities Inc., will use the proceeds to buy four acres of land at 777 Winchester St. in Newton to build a senior living community of 174 apartments for seniors aged 62 and older who make too much to qualify for affordable housing but are not comfortable with the high-end options in the area.

“2Life Communities has invented a new housing option for middle income older residents here in the city of Newton,” Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller said in a news release. “Community members share their time and talents, fostering community life and lowering operating costs. Kudos to 2Life Communities and MassDevelopment for creating opportunities for much needed new middle-income housing.”

2Life Communities Inc. (2Life) is a nonprofit provider of senior supportive housing in the Greater Boston area with six distinct campuses and nearly 1,300 apartments, all of which are owned and managed by the organization. Properties located in Newton include Golda Meir House and Coleman House.

Nine apartments at the new Newton site will fall under inclusionary zoning requirements and will be restricted to households earning up to 80% of area median income (AMI). The project will contain 62 two-bedroom apartments and 112 one-bedroom apartments.

Construction on the senior community began on March 6, and is expected to be completed by mid-2025.

The building will include gathering spaces, a library, café, business center, game room, volunteer hub, convenience store, art room, fitness studio, and classrooms. Staff will be available onsite to coordinate home and health services for residents’ needs.

“2Life believes that every older adult deserves the opportunity to live a full life of connection and purpose in a dynamic, supportive environment,” 2Life Communities President and CEO Amy Schectman said in the news release. “Opus Newton will now offer that opportunity to the forgotten middle market. We are grateful to MassDevelopment and to all our partners for helping us bring an innovative new prototype to Newton.”