Beverly, MA – Beverly-based nonprofit developer, Harborlight Community Partners, announced that Anchor Point, a community of 77 units of affordable family housing, will break ground in June.
Anchor Point will include two apartment buildings and a community building, along with many exterior elements such as playgrounds and walking paths. At the heart of Anchor Point will be a community building with myriad programming opportunities, making this a unique service-infused project. This housing initiative brings back the repeat team of Harborlight Community Partners (HCP), SV Design, and Groom Construction.
Located on five acres at the intersection of Tozer and Sohier Roads in Beverly, Anchor Point will provide the region affordable housing for low-earning families, while setting aside 20% of its housing for families who have suffered homelessness. It will be deeply affordable, supporting those earning 60% or less of area median income.
“This project is coming at a time when the need for high quality, service enriched, and affordable homes has never been more evident,” says Andrew DeFranza, executive director for Harborlight Community Partners. “Our region is a beautiful one that remains largely out of reach for people we depend on every day. Anchor Point is essential toward mitigating housing insecurity and equity in our region.”
The housing at Anchor Point will be built in two phases, 38 units and 39 units respectively, and consists of two- and three-bedroom apartments for families. The community building, named The Lighthouse Center (TLC), will be the heart of Anchor Point and will provide on-site childcare, after school programming, ESL and GED classes, a teaching kitchen, financial counseling, case management, and more. In addition to robust programming, it will include many exterior elements such as community gardens, half-court basketball, playgrounds, walking paths, and a playing field.
Local leadership and citizens of the city of Beverly adopted 40R zoning, which paved the way for the project. It is also made possible with strong local funding and a regional commitment to affordable housing between Beverly, Salem, and Peabody, though the Mayors’ Task Force on Homelessness.
“Communities that combine quality living with on-site skilled services are a focus for our company and something that we hope to develop more of in the future,” said David Groom, principal at Groom Construction. “We are proud to partner once again with Harborlight Community Partners and the SV Design team on such an impactful project for our community.“
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Financial partners include the MA Department of Housing and Community Development, City of Beverly Community Preservation Act, Beverly Affordable Housing Trust, Beverly HOME, CEDAC, MASS Housing Partnership, Mass Affordable Housing Trust, MHIC, North Shore HOME, Boston Private, Institution for Savings, North Shore Bank, and The Life Initiative.
A $1.75 MassWorks grant from the state will fund infrastructure needs near the Anchor Point site, such as an intersection, crosswalk, and sidewalk improvements. Early investors in The Lighthouse Center include Monarch North Shore Fund LLC, Institution for Savings, Beverly Hospital, Cummings Properties, and members of the HCP board of directors.
“Anchor Point is a critical step toward addressing the city’s housing needs for all our neighbors,” says Beverly mayor, Michael Cahill. “These new homes and the infrastructure improvements that will be made to the area are essential to the broader efforts making our whole community strong and a desirable place to live.”
“Too many North Shore residents continue to struggle to find quality housing that they can afford. Anchor Point will serve as a tremendous resource for many families that need housing security and stability,” said Senator Joan B. Lovely (D-Salem). “I am proud to have collaborated with state and local leaders on this important project and laud Harborlight Community Partners’ commitment to our most vulnerable families.”
Thad Siemasko, AIA, principal at SV Design said, “We believe strongly that the richest communities are built with the contributions of people from all parts of the economic spectrum. Accordingly, providing proper housing for those most in need is an essential community responsibility. We’re proud to partner with HCP and commend the City of Beverly for their vital support of this badly needed project.”
