After 35 Years of Waiting, Dracut Seniors Finally Welcome 56 New Affordable Homes

For the first time in more than three decades, seniors in Dracut, Massachusetts, are gaining access to a newly constructed affordable housing community specifically designed to meet their needs. The opening of Greenmont Senior Housing marks a significant achievement for the town, delivering 56 affordable one-bedroom apartments for older adults and individuals with disabilities after years of planning, advocacy, and growing demand for accessible housing.

The development represents far more than a new residential building. It addresses one of the community’s most pressing challenges: providing safe, affordable, and age-friendly housing for a rapidly growing senior population. For many local residents, the project symbolizes the culmination of a 35-year wait for new senior housing opportunities in Dracut.

Meeting a Long-Standing Community Need

Like many communities across Massachusetts, Dracut has experienced demographic changes that have increased demand for affordable housing. The town’s housing plans have highlighted a growing number of residents aged 65 and older, while affordable rental options have remained limited. As housing costs continue to rise across the region, many seniors have found it increasingly difficult to remain in the communities where they spent their lives.

The opening of Greenmont Senior Housing directly responds to these challenges by creating new rental opportunities for older adults who might otherwise face housing insecurity or be forced to relocate away from family, friends, and community support networks.

Inside the Greenmont Senior Housing Development

Located at 1530 Bridge Street, Greenmont Senior Housing consists of a three-story residential building containing 56 one-bedroom apartments. Every unit has been designated as affordable housing, ensuring that residents with modest incomes have access to quality housing at manageable costs.

The development was designed with accessibility, comfort, and community living in mind. Key features include:

• Fifty-six affordable one-bedroom rental apartments
• Accessibility accommodations for seniors and people with disabilities
• Community gathering rooms
• Shared laundry facilities on each floor
• Resident storage areas
• On-site management office
• Mailroom facilities
• Large lobby and waiting area
• Outdoor seating and walking areas
• Fenced pet area
• Seventy-seven parking spaces for residents and visitors

These amenities were intentionally incorporated to help residents maintain independence while enjoying opportunities for social interaction and community engagement.

Affordability at the Core

One of the most important aspects of Greenmont Senior Housing is its commitment to affordability. All 56 apartments are reserved for households earning less than 60 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI), making the units accessible to lower-income seniors who often struggle to find suitable housing in the private market.

Additionally, 11 of the apartments have been specifically reserved for seniors earning less than 30 percent of the Area Median Income, providing housing opportunities for some of the community’s most financially vulnerable residents.

The affordability structure ensures that residents can devote more of their limited incomes to healthcare, transportation, food, and other essential needs rather than facing overwhelming housing costs.

Designed to Support Aging in Place

A defining feature of Greenmont Senior Housing is its emphasis on helping residents age in place. Rather than simply providing apartments, the development incorporates support services that enable seniors to remain independent for as long as possible.

Residents will have access to assistance through partnerships with several organizations, including:

• Peabody Properties
• AgeSpan (formerly Merrimack Valley Elder Services)
• Community Teamwork Inc.
• The Dracut Council on Aging

A dedicated Residential Service Coordinator will help residents connect with healthcare services, transportation resources, community programs, and other support systems. This integrated approach recognizes that affordable housing alone is not enough; seniors also need access to services that promote health, independence, and quality of life.

Collaboration Behind the Project

The successful completion of Greenmont Senior Housing required extensive collaboration among nonprofit organizations, government agencies, financial institutions, and local leaders.

The project was developed by Common Ground Development Corporation, the affordable housing development arm of Community Teamwork. The organization has focused on creating housing opportunities for underserved populations throughout the region.

Funding and support came from a broad coalition of partners, including:

• Boston Financial
• Citizens Bank
• Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities
• Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation (CEDAC)
• Massachusetts Housing Partnership
• The Town of Dracut

The project also benefited from federal and state Low-Income Housing Tax Credits and American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, demonstrating how multiple funding sources can work together to create affordable housing opportunities.

Sustainability and Modern Design

Greenmont Senior Housing was designed with sustainability in mind. Project planners committed to environmentally responsible construction practices and energy-efficient building standards. The development was designed to meet Energy Star requirements and pursue LEED Silver certification, helping reduce long-term operating costs while minimizing environmental impact.

State housing officials also noted that the project incorporates green and sustainable development features, aligning with Massachusetts’ broader goals for environmentally responsible housing construction.

Economic and Social Benefits for the Community

Beyond providing homes for seniors, Greenmont Senior Housing is expected to generate broader community benefits. Affordable housing developments can help stabilize neighborhoods, support local economies, and reduce pressure on social service systems.

For seniors, stable housing often leads to improved health outcomes, reduced isolation, and greater financial security. For families, it allows aging parents and relatives to remain close to support networks. For the community, it strengthens housing diversity and helps address a growing regional shortage of affordable homes.

The project also demonstrates how communities can respond to changing demographics by creating housing options that match residents’ evolving needs.

Looking Ahead

The opening of Greenmont Senior Housing represents a major victory for affordable housing advocates and a transformative moment for Dracut’s senior residents. After 35 years without a newly built senior housing development, the town has taken a significant step toward addressing the housing needs of older adults.

While demand for affordable housing continues to exceed supply across Massachusetts, Greenmont provides a successful model of collaboration, planning, and community investment. The development not only delivers 56 much-needed homes but also offers a vision for how communities can support aging populations with dignity, affordability, and independence.

For the seniors who will call Greenmont home, the project represents more than bricks and mortar. It offers stability, security, and the opportunity to remain connected to the community they know and love—a welcome outcome after more than three decades of waiting.