Mont Marie project begun
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
HOLYOKE – The Sisters of St. Joseph broke ground for the St. Joseph Residence at Mont Marie on Oct. 27.
The congregation was awarded a $4.3 million federal grant for the project from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. In addition, the grant will provide a three-year rental subsidy of $438,000.
This is the second time in three years that the Sisters of St. Joseph has been awarded HUD funding for a senior housing project. Sister Mary Quinn, president of the congregation, said, “St. Joseph Residence will respond to our neighbors who are in need of affordable housing as well as supportive services. This project speaks to the heart of who we are as Sisters of St. Joseph serving our ‘dear neighbors.'”
Project manager Sheila Galicki added, “The Sisters of St. Joseph are wonderful partners. Their mission mirrors HUD’s mission of providing affordable, safe housing for the elderly.”
The two-story facility will include 30 one-bedroom low income apartments for people over the age of 62 with varying needs for supportive services. The sisters, co-sponsoring the project with Mercy Housing, designed the facility to provide housing that prolongs independent living as an alternative to long-term care placement.
All apartments will be of senior-friendly design and a percentage will also be handicapped accessible. The building will include a community room with kitchen, a computer and sitting room and a large courtyard for recreation. The facility, at 38 Lower Westfield Road, will sit on the east side of the Mont Marie campus.
The congregation received additional funding from the state Department of Housing and Community Development, the city, the Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation and the Charles H. Farnsworth Trust.
St. Joseph Residence is the second phase of a multi-phase affordable housing campus. The first phase, Mont Marie Senior Residence, which opened in September 2008, was primarily funded by a $6.2 million HUD grant and provides 49 low income apartments for the elderly who require limited services. Both residences will be open to the public. Submitted by the Sisters of St. Joseph.