LYNN — The Lynn Armory continues to move toward a long-awaited rehabilitation, with another state collaboration helping to push the project over the finish line. The Massachusetts’ Executive Office of Veterans Services has awarded $2.5 million in American Rescue Plan Act End Veteran Homeless funds to the Lynn Armory Veterans Housing Project.
The End Veteran Homelessness campaign is a cross-collaborative initiative among the Healey-Driscoll Administration and federal, local, and veteran-serving organizations that prioritizes supportive housing, access to behavioral health services, capital investments to support veteran housing, and provides technical assistance to community providers. By leveraging evidence-based strategies and fostering collaboration across federal and nonprofit sectors, Massachusetts aims to set a national model for ending veteran homelessness.
“This funding will significantly enhance our ability to connect with veterans who need housing and supportive services,” saidVeterans Services Secretary Jon Santiago. “By working closely with our community partners, we are taking concrete steps to ensure that every veteran has access to the housing and services they deserve.”
The goal is to make Massachusetts a state where veteran homelessness rates reach a level of “functional zero,” a federal term meaning a system where homelessness is rare, brief and non-recurring. It involves ensuring that there are enough resources and support services available to quickly identify and assist individuals or families experiencing homelessness, ultimately leading to their swift placement into stable housing.
“This funding is another example of the unique collaborations that it takes for complex projects like this to get done,” said Lynn Housing Authority & Neighborhood Development Executive Director Charles Gaeta. “The Lynn Armory vision has received strong support from the start from the mayor, city council, Lynn Veterans Council, Lynn Historical Commission and residents.”
Gaeta said the state’s Executive Office of Livable Communities has been working diligently with LHAND during the process.
Neighborhood Development Associates (NDA) has been working to renovate and repurpose the historic Armory building, which has been vacant for more than a decade. In partnership with LHAND, NDA acquired the building in 2019 from the state through an act of legislation. After years of behind-the-scenes work, the original vision is on the verge of becoming a reality.
“The revitalization of the Armory building has unveiled transformative opportunity in the City,” said Mayor Jared C. Nicholson. “Lynn shares the state’s commitment to end veteran homelessness. This project is a significant investment in our veterans, ensuring they have the support and resources they need and deserve. We appreciate the collaborative effort between LHAND leadership, the state delegation, and the Healey-Driscoll administration to have this project come to fruition.”
Since the acquisition, NDA and LHAND have submitted multiple state tax credit applications with the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, while being awarded federal and state historic tax credits through 19 application rounds. A general contractor has been selected and the building plans are currently undergoing a redesign for efficiency and optimal cost savings. The redesign will increase the unit count from 43 to 52, while allowing for first-floor service and office space.
“NDA is proud to participate in the important project,” said Christine Newhall, chair of the NDA board. “We appreciate the state, LHAND, Mayor Nicholson and the city council for their support of this development over the years.”
“The Armory project exemplifies the City of Lynn’s longstanding commitment to veterans’ services,” said Sen. Brendan Crighton. “Thank you to Charlie Gaeta, Jeff Weeden, Peggy Phelps and the entire LHAND team who worked closely with the Healey-Driscoll Administration to ensure our veterans have the housing and the supportive services they need and deserve.”
In 2021, the Massachusetts legislature allocated $20 million in ARPA funds to support geographically equitable investments in veteran housing. The End Veteran Homelessness campaign utilizes this $20 million to fund investments in veteran homelessness services and housing infrastructure, ensuring that resources are distributed across the state to address the needs of homeless veterans in all regions. Veterans represent three percent of homeless individuals in Massachusetts. Currently,approximately 500-600 veterans are experiencing homelessness in the state, per the Point in Time (PIT) count. This is often compounded by mental health and substance use challenges.
“This project exemplifies the power of collaboration between local, state, and federal entities, as well as the nonprofit sector,” said State Rep. Dan Cahill Cahill. “The $2.5 million funding boost from the Executive Office of Veterans Services is a critical step in turning this long-awaited rehabilitation into a reality.”
“We have a duty to ensure no veteran is left without a home. The Lynn Armory Project shows how collaboration can transform a historic space into stable housing and critical support for those who served, said Rep. Jenny Armini.
“This is a great step forward in addressing veteran homelessness and ensuring that those who have served our country have the support and resources they deserve,” said Rep. Sean Reid.
