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-- Programs and Services -- Contact Information New housing approved for
low-income seniors
The Massachusetts Department of Housing and Urban Development has approved Elder Services' application to create 13 one-bedroom apartments for very low-income seniors in the Hyde Building of the former Central School in Lee.
An initial capital advance of $1,855,500. has been authorized. This project will complement Elder Services’ initial HUD Section 202 development, which renovated a large section of the former Central School into 38 units of senior housing. The 38 units are fully occupied, some by seniors who as children attended Lee Central School. The development, known as Crossway Village, celebrated one year of successful operation in February 2007.
Elder Services provides hot nutritious noon-time meals to residents Monday through Friday in the large common space shared by the Lee Council on Aging. An onsite residential services coordinator from Elder Services provides access to information and case management.
At Crossway Village, Elder Services offers enriched services such as personal care, homemaking, laundry, personal emergency response systems, and health insurance counseling. Instructors hold classes for residents in the computer lab to help them learn to navigate the Internet and other computer applications, and seniors have access to the renovated gymnasium for exercise and recreation.
U.S. Congressman John Olver was instrumental in helping the Hyde building application receive HUD acceptance, as he was in securing the Crossway Village funding,
Robert P. Dean, Executive Director of Elder Services, expressed his enthusiasm for the Hyde Building renovation, stating, “I am very pleased that our application for HUD Section 202 funding has been accepted, allowing us to provide 13 additional units of senior housing with enriched services. I want to thank Lee Town Manager, Robert Nason, and the Board of Selectmen, for asking Elder Services to consider undertaking this project. We are glad to be of service by creating affordable, attractive, safe housing alternatives for low-income elders, and making sure they have access to the services they may need as they age in place.”
Lee Board of Selectman Pat Carlino added, " It is so exciting that the Town of Lee is going to be able to offer our "well deserving seniors" more beautiful and desirable living units in what many think of as a Historical Landmark. Many thanks to Elder Services for their hard work."