Information

Narrative Description of the Project

Development Plan:
Our plan draws on the experience, enthusiasm, and energy of the top experts in their respective fields of the housing industry, many of whom EA Fish Development and the Planning Office for Urban Affairs of the Archdiocese of Boston have worked with in the past to successfully develop affordable housing communities. The team has a history of successfully working with municipalities, government agencies, and resident associations in executing complex affordable housing developments.

The development of Senior Affordable Housing on Legion Drive, presents an exciting opportunity to add much needed affordable elderly housing to the Town of Hanover. Today 16% of the Town’s residents are seniors over 60 years of age, and in the coming decade this fastest growing segment of Hanover’s population will comprise 27% of all Town’s residents. Although there are other affordable elderly housing communities in the immediate area, (i.e., Cardinal Cushing Apartments and Hanover Legion Senior Housing, both constructed in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s), together they have wait lists of approximately 139 applicants in need of housing today. Moreover, the 2000 census estimates that 27% of Hanover senior renters in its primary market are considered rent overburdened paying 35% or more of their annual income towards housing costs. The lack of high quality affordable elderly housing in Hanover, that has a preference for Hanover residents, coupled with the 65 and over age-group being the fastest growing segment of Hanover’s population, signifies that there is an urgent need to increase the affordable elderly housing inventory in Hanover.

The goals of the development plan include:

• To provide 66 units of high quality, affordable elderly housing.
• To offer units that will be affordable to a range of elderly households earning between 30% and 60% of the area median income as defined by the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD).
• To offer the units to affordable elderly residents 62 years of age or older, with a 12% preference for Hanover residents.
• To create high quality affordable rental housing that is designed to serve the needs of its residents.
• To incorporate and integrate green building design, healthy housing components, and potentially alternative energy sources into the overall development.
• To work with the local residents, including the existing residents of Hanover Legion Senior Housing and abutters to minimize any disruption during construction.
• To integrate the residents in the creation, implementation and operation of the expanded senior community.
• To operate and maintain the community efficiently, effectively, and professionally, and to establish a sustainable quality of life for its residents for many years to come via a comprehensive Resident Services Program.

Development Program:
The program calls for an affordable housing community that will consist of 66 units of affordable elderly housing for residents 62 years of age or older, with a 12% preference for Hanover residents. The program includes 64 one-bedroom apartments at approximately 600 sq. ft. each and 2 two-bedroom apartments at approximately 900 sq. ft. each. All units will be eligible for inclusion in the Town of Hanover’s Subsidized Housing Inventory. The total sq. ft. of the building is approximately 55,000 sq. ft., including approximately 45,000 sq. ft. for the apartments and the rest being allocated to building services, community room, wellness area, management office, storage, etc. The crescent design of the building allows for the core of the building to include the building services, systems, and amenities while its wings include all of the apartments.

Management Plan:
Peabody Properties, Inc. management’s plan is based on its 30+ years of success of managing properties. It has a proven track record for providing superior management services and has earned its reputation as an industry leader through its creation of the team approach to management and its superior financial, accounting and computer systems.

Peabody Properties, Inc. (PPI) fully understands the complexities of the development and management of LIHTC communities. PPI defines the Service Level Objectives (SLA’s) as those services critical to resident retention, responsible fiscal management and protection of the physical asset, PPI will provide the staffing, policies, procedures and systems necessary to successfully manage the administrative, financial, compliance and physical operations of Barstow Village.

Peabody Properties, Inc. will work with the developer to ensure that:

• Pre-construction marketing commences at least six months prior to completion to effectively attract and process qualified and eligible applicants to Barstow Village, but will also work with the developer throughout construction to ensure that construction completion and occupancy dates are successfully coordinated.

Resident Services Program:
The proposed development, a 66 unit newly constructed elderly housing community for seniors 62+ years of age located in a wooded, natural setting in residential Hanover where 16% of the population is comprised of seniors over 60 years of age and the average price for a single family home exceeds $450,000, with its New England coastal architecture, environmentally friendly features, well-appointed common areas and community room, courtyard and professionally landscaped grounds, would be desirable by those attributes alone. The development’s most unique features will be its supportive services and programs for the residents. The development’s commitment to supportive services and resident programs will allow for residents to age-in-place and will help create a vibrant, enriched, and wellness-oriented quality of life at this community.

To cultivate this supportive and active environment, Peabody Properties will hire a Resident Service Coordinator, as part of the on-site staff team that will be assigned to the development approximately three days per week. This social service professional will work with residents one-on-one regarding referrals to community-based services including the Hanover Senior Center, Hanover VNA, Council on Aging, Old Colony Elderly Services, etc. and will coordinate on-site programs and activities that promote a harmonious environment. Peabody Properties has a track-record of twenty plus years of successfully offering a Resident Services model that is especially designed for affordable housing, and it is recognized as an industry leader in this regard. Our Supportive Living Model for senior developments is demonstrated in Hanover at the award-winning Cushing Residence with Resident Services staffing consisting of a Resident Services Manager, Community Living Counselor, Meals Program Coordinator, and Computer Learning Center Instructor. The site’s Supportive Living Program provides frailer residents with the extra at-home supportive services they may need to ensure they are comfortable and safe in their apartments, including: dining room meals, homemaking, personal care, laundry, grocery shopping, nurse and case manager well visits, etc.

The Peabody Resident Services Home Care (GAFC) Program will also be available to eligible residents of Barstow Village. This program provides daily personal care with light housekeeping and laundry, registered nurse well visits, and case management to MassHealth insured and approved residents with a daily personal care need as verified by their physician.

A sample of resident programs in the on-site community room space, which in addition to offering enrichment to residents will also serve as value-added amenities to market the property, may include the following based on resident feedback and what has been successful at Cushing Residence:

• On-site Resident Service Coordinator
• Monthly calendar of activities
• Strength training exercises and massage therapy
• Physical therapy and slip and fall prevention exercise
• Walking Club
• Book Club
• Greeting card cart
• Health and wellness screenings
• Meals/Nutrition site and/or Fast Food Fridays
• Intergenerational activities with nearby schools and houses of worship
• Guest speakers on pertinent topics, i.e. prescription drug coverage
• Arts and crafts
• Movie and game nights
• Computer classes
• Young at Hearts Club
• Coffee Café with the vocational school
• Coffee hours and holiday events