​9 Leyland, First Affordable Senior Housing in Upham’s Corner

Dorchester Bay Economic Development Corporation (DBEDC), a neighborhood-based MBE organization, and Hebrew SeniorLife, New England’s largest nonprofit provider of senior health care and living communities, have closed on financing and started construction of 9 Leyland, a 43-unit affordable senior housing building in Boston’s Dorchester neighborhood. Completion is scheduled for June 2023.

The first senior affordable housing in Upham’s Corner will offer 41 one-bedroom units and two two-bedroom units for seniors earning below 60 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI). Twenty-four units will be supported by project-based rental vouchers of which 11 units will serve seniors earning up to 30 percent of AMI, including seniors transitioning from homelessness.

The development of 9 Leyland aligns with Dorchester Bay’s priority of equitable development without displacement. Ensuring that Dorchester’s senior residents can age in community and thrive in their neighborhood through fully accessible housing with services like health guidance, nutrition counseling, and social activities has been a focus for DBEDC.

“Affordable housing is one of the most pressing issues in Upham’s Corner today. Quality affordable housing is a fundamental component of building strong, stable communities and Dorchester Bay is proud to partner with Hebrew SeniorLife to bring much needed senior housing to the neighborhood,” said Perry B. Newman, Chief Executive Officer, Dorchester Bay. “9 Leyland will provide seniors with the support and resources to live vibrant, healthy lives in Upham’s Corner.”

The project also aligns with Hebrew SeniorLife’s mission to help vulnerable seniors live their best lives in the best place. Founded on Queen Street in Dorchester in 1903, and now headquartered in Roslindale, Hebrew SeniorLife is a vocal proponent of affordable senior communities with supportive services, and offers similar service-rich communities in Revere, Randolph, and Brookline.

“We have a special responsibility to make sure that seniors have access to care and resources that support their independence and desire to remain vital members of their communities,” said Lou Woolf, President and CEO, Hebrew SeniorLife. “We look forward to continuing our work with DBEDC and becoming actively involved in Upham’s Corner.”

“We are deeply grateful to the neighborhood residents who provided their strong support for 9 Leyland and participated in the many visioning, design and permitting meetings required to make this project a success,” said K. Beth O’Donnell, Director of Real Estate Development at DBEDC.

Funding support for 9 Leyland was possible due to the following sources:

● Affordable Housing Trust Fund

● City of Boston Mayor’s Office of Housing

● Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation

● Department of Housing and Community Development

● Eastern Bank & Rockland Trust

● Enterprise Community Partners

● LISC Boston

● MassDevelopment Brownfields Redevelopment Fund

● Massachusetts Housing Investment Corporation

● Massachusetts Housing Partnership

● Neighborhood Housing Trust

● The LIFE Initiative

9 Leyland Street was designed by Davis Square Architects and will be built by Kaplan Construction.