SWAMPSCOTT — The Select Board discussed the schematic layout of the affordable housing project for veterans on 12-24 Pine Street during the board’s latest meeting.
Senior Project Managers for B’nai Brith Housing – Holly Grace and Yara Vergucht were in attendance at the meeting to elaborate on the schematics and the overall process so far.
Grace began a presentation by delivering a recap on the work that’s gone into bringing the project to life.
“B’nai Brith Housing responded to the town’s Request for Proposal (RFP) to develop this site on Pine Street in August 2023, and the land agreement was signed in December 2024 — consistent with the land agreement, we have developed plans that tonight we’re going to review, and the land agreement requires the Select Board to review and approve of the plans to make sure we’re consistent with what was laid out in the land agreement,” Grace said.
Grace noted that once the board approves the plans, B’nai Brith will prepare a submission for the Zoning Board for a “friendly 40B process.” The Chapter 40B process allows the local Zoning Board of Appeals to approve affordable housing developments under more flexible rules when a community has not met the minimum affordability threshold.
The name of the proposal was “Veterans Crossing.”
Grace then explained that the proposal is for 41 units, with one bedroom and one bathroom. Unit sizes are 600 sq ft, and will be flat-styled apartments, with elevators that reach each floor. “It’s all seniors and older adults aged 55 and older, with a preference for veterans, and a local preference to the extent allowed by the state,” Grace said.
The units will be affordable to income limits of 60% of the area median income, according to Grace. She said B’nai Brith proposed to do “service-enriched housing,” and with the resident service coordination, it plans to work in partnership with Soldier On, who would also work along with the property management company.
“They have strong experience with veterans, and the issues they face with the services that are available,” Grace said.
Grace continued, “The design was inspired by the surrounding residential neighborhood, with a traditional New England coastal style, and the goal is to be compatible with the residential character of Swampscott.”
After Grace gave her presentation, she opened up discussion and welcomed questions from the board.
Vice-Chair Dug Thompson asked if the building would be constructed in a way that intersects with the nearby culvert in the area. Grace responded, saying, “The building is not going to be built on top of the culvert, and we will need to relocate the culvert further into the parking lot.”
Thompson then asked about the building’s plans for things like solar, heat-pumps and plans to be ecofriendly.
“I don’t know if we’ve fully worked it out, in our most recent developments, we are passive-house certified and all electric, and extremely green — I imagine we’d do something similar here,” Grace said. “The architects are still at this very conceptual level, and we have not yet engaged mechanical engineers, and things like that — but it would be a very high standard of green.”
Board member MaryEllen Fletcher asked for clarification on the financial side for veterans interested in living on-site. “So, you’re saying 15 units will be available for people who make what, or less?” Fletcher said.
“30 percent area median income (AMI),” Grace responded. The dollar amount was not readily available.
There will be 60% AMI units, 50% AMI units, and 15 30% units, according to Vergucht, this means there will be certain numbers of units available for applicants that fall under the various AMI tiers. Taking the 60% ($69,000) AMI for example — if an applicant makes over $70,000, they would not qualify.
Board member David Grishman inquired about the parking available for visitors and how that would be integrated into the overall plans.
“Typically, parking is shared between residents and visitors, first-come-first-serve, and there is limited on-street parking nearby,” Grace said “Folks might be on the street as it exists currently,” Grace said regarding parking.
“Are the two handicap spots going to be sufficient for this population?” Grishman asked.
Grace noted that everything currently meets the building code, but that they will also look into adding more spaces. She also explained that the marketing process would not begin until March 2028 — with September 2028 being the “best case scenario” where seniors can start applying for residency.
