A new 37-unit building on Haverhill’s Emerson Street downtown will a serve as a supportive housing pilot designed for people with complex medical histories experiencing chronic homelessness.
The Massachusetts Housing & Shelter Alliance said Thursday the four-story, 94 Emerson St. building was developed in collaboration with Eliot Community Human Services and local developer Ted Ammon and supported by a three-year grant from UnitedHealthcare.
“Projects like this don’t happen without great partners and a shared commitment to doing something meaningful,” said Ammon. “I’m incredibly grateful to have found that partnership with MHSA and Eliot. It truly took a village to bring this project to life, and I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together. My hope is that Home & Healthy in Haverhill is just the beginning and that we’ve helped pave the way for more innovative housing solutions like this in communities across Massachusetts.”
A multi-year master lease made the home possible. Ammon privately financed and built the property without state or federal development funds, while the Alliance and Eliot helped Ammon design “comfortable, accessible apartments and dedicated spaces where staff and health care providers can meet with tenants.”
Those behind the effort said the project demonstrates that, with access to flexible, multi-year leasing funds, nonprofit organizations can partner with private developers to meet the demand for more supportive housing.
Eliot will provide on-site supportive services and coordinate with community-based health professionals and other medical providers, helping tenants address ongoing health care needs that often go unmet for those lacking stable housing.
The pilot program is designed to determine whether combining permanent housing, a broad range of essential services, and on-site medical and mental health care can help tenants with significant needs achieve and maintain housing stability, reduce their use of emergency medical care, and lower health care costs.