The American Legion Post 34 sits in the heart of Chelsea’s downtown Bellingham Square Historic District, and was the first American Legion building constructed in Massachusetts. The Post was used as a social hall for the American Legion veteran’s organization, but was vacated in 2010. The beautiful building has suffered from vacancy and deferred maintenance, and is in need of complete renovations. North Bellingham Veterans Home will bring new life to the property while continuing to honor and serve veterans.
In addition to the ten studio apartments, North Bellingham Veterans Home will include a community room and kitchen for the building’s residents and office space for the service provider. Renovations are designed to comply with the Enterprise Green Communities program, a green and sustainable building standard. Green features include improved site drainage, energy efficient and water-conserving fixtures and appliances, and use of recycled materials.
North Bellingham Veterans Home (NBVH) is located in Chelsea’s Bellingham Hill neighborhood. In 2009, local residents, the City of Chelsea, and TND partnered to create the North Bellingham Hill Action plan. This plan identified shared goals for the neighborhood, and has already resulted in over $12 million of investment in housing, infrastructure, and recreational amenities. North Bellingham Veterans Home will build on this plan to expand housing opportunities and to improve a centrally located historic building.
| Date Completed: | 2014 (Fall) |
| Development Type: | Historic Rehabilitation |
| Number of Units: | 10 Studios |
| Affordability: | 8 units for < 30% AMI; 2 units < 60% AMI |
| Architect: | Horne +Johnson Architects |
| Acquisition Loan | Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation |
| Pre-Development Loan | The Life Initiative |
| Additional Funds | Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston Affordable Housing Program, North Suburban Consortium HOME Funds / City of Chelsea, TD Charitable Foundation Housing for Everyone Grant, The Neighborhood Developers |
| Construction Loan | Boston Private Bank & Trust Company |