Multi Residential

NEI Completes Housing Development

Acadia affordable housing project / all photos by Michael Indrisano

Chelsea, MA  – NEI General Contracting announced the completion of Acadia, a new 42,000sf affordable housing development with 34 units located in Chelsea on the site of the former French Naturalization Club on Spencer Avenue.

Acadia is the latest affordable housing project by The Neighborhood Developers (TND), a community development corporation dedicated to building affordable homes in Chelsea, Revere and Everett. NEI  has constructed over a dozen buildings for TND.

 Ribbon cutting for Acadia, the new affordable housing development

Located only one block from Chelsea’s four elementary schools, and one block from major bus lines on Broadway, the building includes a community room, common laundry, on-site parking for all 34 homes, central air conditioning, and new landscaping and public way improvements along Spencer Avenue, to benefit residents and community members alike.

The development includes eight units of supportive housing designated for formerly homeless families, meeting a critical need in the region. These homes will serve families who are living in shelters, who have lost their homes and are in other temporary housing, or families in imminent risk of losing their housing.

TND is partnering with Housing Families, Inc. to provide supportive services to these households to improve their economic security and help them access resources like education, workforce development, health care and public benefits. Three homes were built for residents with disabilities under the Community Based Housing Program.

The project team for Acadia includes developer, The Neighborhood Developers; construction manager, NEI General Contracting; architect, Utile, Inc.; structural engineer, RSE Associates, Inc.; MEP engineer, BLW Engineering, Inc.; civil engineer, Samiotes Consultants, Inc.;  landscape architect, G2 Collaborative; environmental engineer, Irwin Engineers; geotechnical engineer,  Geotechnical Partnership; property management agent,  Winn Residential; and development consultant, Munkenbeck Consulting.

“We have worked with NEI General Contracting since 2006, and we have developed a true partnership with them,” said Rafael Mares, executive director for The Neighborhood Developers. “We share a common dedication to developing affordable housing to promote economic mobility, opportunity, and quality of life in our communities. We are certain our new residents will be pleased by the quality design and construction of their new homes at Acadia.”

Community Development Corporations are not-for-profit organizations incorporated to engage local residents and businesses to work together to undertake community development programs, projects and activities. Since 2006, TND has developed 317 homes, investing $104 million in new and improved properties. With Acadia’s completion, TND owns 429 apartments, and in recent years has also developed 38 homes for sale to first time homebuyers.  TND maintains an active pipeline of properties in development. TND’s properties are excellently maintained and located close to public transit, shopping, parks, and local schools.