In Franklin County, housing costs have outpaced income, and the pandemic has accelerated that gap. The elder population is increasing in an otherwise flat-to-declining population. Among senior households, 62% are considered low-income. More affordable housing is needed for lower-income older adults.
Sunderland residents saw the need for affordable senior housing and took action. The town secured a parcel using Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds. We then worked with residents to design housing that would both meet community needs and complement its village center. Plans were drafted to restore a historic property called Sanderson House, and add a barn-like building, creating Sanderson Place.
Located at 120 North Main Street in Sunderland, Sanderson Place is walking distance to the town center, restaurants, a corner market, a bank, a church, the library, and a bus stop. It has common areas to foster community, including lounges; a common kitchen/dining area; on-site laundry; a fitness room; and a large outdoor deck. There are 33 apartments: thirty one-bedroom units; and 3 two-bedroom units. One-bedroom units are approximately 600 sq. ft. and two-bedroom units are 812 sq. ft.; three are fully accessible; all are visitable by wheelchairs.
In addition to Town CPA funds, Rural Development Inc., launched in 1991 to address needs that HRA could not address as a housing authority and whose purpose is to develop affordable housing that is compatible with our rural communities, assembled resources to make Sanderson Place affordable, including construction financing from Greenfield Savings Bank, tax credits, and state subsidies.
To apply, the head of household must be age 62 or older. Income is restricted to ≤60% of median income (AMI), with 12 units at ≤30% AMI and 4 units at ≤50% AMI. Fourteen units have housing vouchers. Applications are available online. Printed applications may be picked up in person at the following locations: Franklin County Regional Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA), at 241 Millers Falls Road, Turners Falls; the Sunderland Town Hall and Public Library; or the South County Senior Center in South Deerfield. Applications are due by Wednesday, June 29, 2022, with a lottery on July 20. Move-ins are expected in Fall 2022.
Located at 120 North Main Street in Sunderland, Sanderson Place is walking distance to the town center, restaurants, a corner market, a bank, a church, the library, and a bus stop.
At Sanderson Place, elders can age independently in homes that will remain affordable. LifePath will offer services to help residents access community services and resources and plan social activities. Services are voluntary.
With a full-service kitchen/dining area, free and/or low cost meals are made possible by LifePath’s congregate meals program. Hot meals will be served at least twice a week. LifePath’s Meals on Wheels Program is also available to all residents and can supply up to 5 hot meals a week, plus 2 frozen meals for weekends.
HRA, created in 1973, is a public housing authority serving Franklin County. HRA offers many programs, including housing counseling and grant administration for communities. As the Executive Director of HRA, I’m lucky to have a career that allows me to help others gain access to housing. As a native of western Mass, I advocate for our unique needs that are sometimes overlooked in Boston. Developments like Sanderson Place are a good step, but more housing options are needed for people at different life stages and incomes. We are eager to work with local communities to co-create more housing.
