The City of Cambridge recently celebrated a major milestone in its ongoing effort to combat homelessness and provide sustainable housing solutions. On June 12, a ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the completion of a new Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) development at 116 Norfolk Street. According to an article from the City of Cambridge's official website, the Cambridge Affordable Housing Trust (CAHT) and the Cambridge Housing Authority (CHA) teamed up to bring this project to fruition.
This novel PSH development features 62 units specifically designed for individuals, who have experienced long-term homelessness. The CHA has transformed the property, which previously offered 37 Single Room Occupancy (SRO) units, into 38 self-contained studio apartments. This includes a newly built annex housing an additional 24 studios. Each unit is tailored to accommodate older adults and those with disabilities, with the entire development representing a concerted effort toward creating a supportive living environment.
PSH is a model that has been backed by considerable research, and it aims to combine affordable housing with voluntary support services and a self-driven approach to case management. This new development is no exception, providing on-site support through Eliot Community Human Services. The tenants will have access to a variety of support services ranging from life skills training to medical and behavioral health care, as well as substance use recovery, "We are incredibly fortunate to have partners who share our commitment to implementing strategies that support people in their ability to maintain stable housing," Assistant City Manager for Human Services Ellen Semonoff stated in the same article, as detailed by the City of Cambridge.
The funding for this transformative project surpassed $10 million, coming from CAHT and complemented by Federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits and CHA funds. This investment underscores the significance of PSH in addressing not just the affordability barrier in housing, but the myriad of obstacles that prevent individuals from achieving and maintaining independence. "Funding the creation of Permanent Supportive Housing is an important part of the Affordable Housing Trust’s work, but it is often simply categorized as affordable housing with the service component not emphasized," Chris Cotter, Cambridge's Housing Department Director, explained, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of this development, according to the City of Cambridge's release.
116 Norfolk stands as the first development completed under the City's Affordable Housing Overlay (AHO) zoning provisions. It has charted a path from its approval in October 2022 to completion in 2025. Cambridge continues its commitment to addressing the complexities of homelessness through innovative and client-focused housing models, such as the one proudly showcased at 116 Norfolk Street.
