Hearth, Inc - ending elder homelessness | News — Hearth, Inc.

Dana Green

America’s homeless ranks graying as more retire on streets

The AP recently published a story about older adults retiring on the streets interviewing Hearth resident Nestor Castro and Hearth’s President and CEO Mark Hinderlie.

Hearth Inc. CEO Mark Hinderlie said far more housing needs to be built and made affordable for the aged, especially now as the numbers of graying homeless people surge. It’s cheaper to house people than leave them homeless,” Hinderlie said. “You have to rethink what housing can be.”

Read the full story on America’s homeless ranks graying as more retire on streets

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Hearth at Four Corners - Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Representative Russell Holmes, Hearth founder Ellen Feingold, City of Boston Mayor, Kim Janey, Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Mike Kennealy, Hearth President and CEO, Mark Hinderlie, and Hearth Founder Anna Bissonnette.  Photo by City of Boston Mayor Office photographer John Wilcox.

Representative Russell Holmes, Hearth founder Ellen Feingold, City of Boston Mayor, Kim Janey, Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Mike Kennealy, Hearth President and CEO, Mark Hinderlie, and Hearth Founder Anna Bissonnette. 

Photo by City of Boston Mayor Office photographer John Wilcox.

BOSTON - Wednesday, June 30, 2021- Today, Mayor Kim Janey, the State of Massachusetts Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Michael Kennealy, Hearth President and CEO Mark Hinderlie, D.F. Pray President Scott Pray, the Hearth Board of Directors and local elected officials joined Hearth at Four Corners residents and neighborhood residents to celebrate the grand opening of Hearth at Four Corners. The more than $19 million housing development created 54 new units of supportive, affordable housing for older adults, and is located on a previously vacant city-owned lot at 16 Ronald Street in Dorchester. Today’s announcement demonstrates the City of Boston’s commitment to creating more equitable affordable housing for older residents. 

“As a city, we measure our success by how we serve all of our people. I'm proud that together with our partners, we've created these affordable and beautiful new homes for older Boston residents, offering a place that they are proud to call home,” said Mayor Janey. “These new homes are an example of our commitment to preserving and growing our affordable housing options in our city. I want to thank all partners involved for making Hearth at Four Corners possible, which will make a positive difference in the lives of the residents and the Dorchester neighborhood.”

Hearth at Four Corners created 54 affordable apartments for older Boston residents, creating 52 one-bedroom units and two studio apartments. All residents living in the new 48,867 square foot building have access to on-site concierge services and a Resident Service Coordinator. They also have onsite wellness services. The new housing development serves individuals age 62 or older who have a range of incomes, including eight units for formerly homeless individuals, 11 units for clients of the Department of Mental Health, 19 units for those with incomes up to 30% of the area median income (AMI) ($26,850 for an individual), 18 units for incomes up to 50% of AMI ($44,800 for an individual), and 17 units for those incomes up to 60% of AMI ($53,760 for an individual).

“We are so glad to be able to work with all of our partners to create beautiful, affordable housing for older Bostonians,” said Jessica Boatright, Deputy Director of the Neighborhood Housing Division for the Department of Neighborhood Development. “We know how important it is to create housing for our aging residents to ensure that they are able to continue to live in the City that they have helped to build and call their home. Hearth at Four Corners is a wonderful addition for older Bostonians and for the neighborhood.”  

“When you’re in a shelter or on the streets, you’re just surviving. You’re only thinking about your next meal and where you’re going to sleep,” said Hearth at Four Corners resident Juanita. “When I moved into my apartment, I couldn’t believe how much stuff was already there.  Hearth provided me with a bed, new sheets, couch, everything for my kitchen and bathroom. It’s like they knew the toll surviving takes on a person, and they were going to help me live, again. All these years all I wanted was housing, but Hearth found me a home. I want to thank Mayor Janey,  everyone from the city, the shelters and especially at Hearth for not giving up on people like me and helping me make this dream come true. I finally have a home!”

Hearth at Four Corners construction used the highest standards of universal design throughout the new building to accommodate older adults of all abilities. The building meets LEED Silver, Energy Star, and Enterprise Green Community standards.

“Every day at the Age Strong Commission, we hear from older Bostonians facing homelessness and struggling with housing issues,” said Commissioner Shea. “I am proud of this partnership for what it’s going to mean to so many older adults, providing not only a place to sleep, but a home and a community where they can live and thrive. Now more than ever, we need to come together to empower older adults and build supportive communities like this one.”

Financing for the project includes support from the City of Boston, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston, and State, Federal low-income housing tax credits, MassDevelopment, Citizens, and Eastern Bank. Philanthropic support was provided by Charles H. Farnsworth Trust, Charlesbank Homes, and individual donors.

“Hearth at Four Corners represents a new phase of Hearth’s meeting its mission of ending homelessness among older adults, developed after 30 years of local and national leadership in addressing this often-overlooked population,” stated Mark Hinderlie, CEO of the developer, Hearth, Inc. “Hearth’s previous 174 units were built or developed specifically for formerly homeless older adults or those at imminent risk of homelessness. Four Corners incorporates a new focus on preventing homelessness by providing opportunities for those with very low to moderately low incomes to afford to remain safely housed in a beautiful, affordable home.”

The new building is located on the former Ronald Gibson School site, near the MBTA Fairmount line. The construction of the new building was done by Hearth’s contractor D.F. Pray, and the new development received support from the community, the Erie Ellington Brinsley Neighborhood Association. D.F. Pray also adheres to the City of Boston’s Residents Jobs Policy on construction projects, with Hearth at Four Corners exceeding the City’s target of 40% by hiring 65.3% minority contractors.  

In the past five years, 424 units for older residents have either been completed or are currently in construction, 93 percent of which are income-restricted units. Also, the City has seven more developments in the pipeline that will create 374 more units for older residents. 

The construction of Hearth at Four Corners strongly aligns with the City of Boston’s housing goals to produce affordable housing for older Bostonians, as outlined in Housing a Changing City: Boston 2030. Through Housing A Changing City: Boston 2030, the City’s housing plan, the City set a target of creating 2,000 low-income elderly units by 2030. Along with Hearth at Four Corners is Grace Apartments in East Boston, The Barton Rogers School in Hyde Park, and several other projects, the City has permitted or constructed 627 new low-income units for older residents. 

About the Department of Neighborhood Development (DND)

The Department of Neighborhood Development is responsible for housing people experiencing homelessness, developing affordable housing, and ensuring that renters and homeowners can find, maintain, and stay in their homes. As part of the ongoing coronavirus response, the Office of Housing Stability is also conducting tenant’s rights workshops to educate residents about the eviction moratorium and their rights. The Boston Home Center continues to provide down payment assistance to first-time home buyers and home repairs for seniors and low-income residents. The Supportive Housing Division works with various partners around the city to rapidly house individuals who are experiencing homelessness. For more information, please visit the DND website.

About Hearth, Inc.

Celebrating thirty years, Hearth, Inc. was founded in 1991 as a nonprofit with a mission to end elder homelessness. Hearth has developed 228 units of housing, including Hearth at Four Corners.  They have placed over 2,700 older adults in safe housing with appropriate services, both in Hearth housing and through their Outreach Program, and created a National Leadership Initiative, which has resulted in the development of tens of thousands of units of permanent supportive housing for homeless and at-risk older adults by its partner organizations from coast to coast. For more information, please visit www.hearth-home.org

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I Am Hearth: Paula

On November 20th 2018, Hearth welcomed Paula with keys to her new apartment and presented her with brand new home good items to help ease her transition into housing. For the last four years Paula has lived at various shelters across the city. 

MLK 2020 Paula.PNG

After settling in to her new space, Paula recounted, that for the first time in a long while, she would be able to wake up the next morning without someone telling her to get up, pack, and leave. This would also be the first time in years Paula took a shower without fear of someone taking her belongings. Perhaps the most exciting thing for Paula though, was the thought of running errands in the middle of the afternoon and being able to go back to a place she can call home. As she finished unpacking and hung up her new shower curtain, Paula began to shed happy tears. She was finally home!

One week after moving in, Paula invited a small group of staff and residents to her apartment.  She was making her first home-made meal in four years, chicken alfredo.  She slowly shook her head and said, "can you believe it? I haven't made a meal in years and tonight I'm using my own kitchen, my own pots and pans, and I can invite guests over.  Hearth has changed everything for me."

I Am Hearth: Donald

I view homelessness as a three-step journey, 1) going into homelessness, 2) being homeless, 3) living life after homelessness.  This is my unique story. 

Five years ago, I was preparing for retirement when unexpected health issues arose and I lost my job.  My goals and expectations for the future began to rapidly dissipate and an inevitable tailspin of hardships commenced. As my physical health deteriorated, my mental health also declined. My thought process was challenged beyond balance. My emotions entered intensity levels too ashamed to share. Finances had become depleted resources. I was on my way to homelessness.

Confused, frightened, and hopeless; I entered a homeless shelter. My aim, restore my broken life with the goal to find a new home. However, this process was daunting and a prolonged task. During my time at the shelter, It became common knowledge that I was an Air Force veteran, but unfortunately, I did not meet the VA criteria for homelessness. Therefore, I was referred to an agency with a mission to end elder homelessness. Hearth became my advocate and source of hope during this difficult time in my life.

For almost a year I was on an emotional roller coaster, dealing with overwhelming mental and physical challenges. Hearth’s Outreach caseworker helped to stabilize my life by setting up various doctor appointments, taking away the fear of the housing application process, and serving as my advocate with several housing authorities in the city.  Guided by their knowledge, concern, and support, housing became a reality three months later.

The journey from homelessness to housed is often scary and intimidating.  Now I was preparing for life after homelessness.  Being freshly housed created a new challenge. How was I going to make my new house feel like a home?

These fears quickly dissipated on the day I received my new keys.  I was amazed to learn as part of my stabilization and support services from Hearth, I would receive a house warming delivery containing essential bedroom, kitchen, bath, and living room items. The next day, a congratulatory call came from Hearth regarding the housing achievement and included confirmation of the delivery of the furnishings.

I am beyond grateful for Hearth and my case manager for being there every step of the way in my journey from homelessness to finding a home of my own!

Hearth Partners with Target Circle's Community Giving Program 

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We are honored and excited to announce that we have been chosen to participate in a special charitable giving campaign, sponsored and funded by Target. And you have the chance to help direct a portion of Target’s donation to us!

Now through June 30, vote for us through the Target Circle program to help determine how Target’s donation will be divvied up. Find out more about Target Circle here: www.target.com/circle

We’re asking our supporters to help us make the most of this incredible opportunity. Every vote counts to help us receive a portion of the available Target funds as we continue our mission to end elder homelessness.

Don’t forget, as you earn more votes, you can keep voting multiple times during the campaign!

Thank you for your support, and we encourage you to share your support for us (and your thanks to Target) on social media throughout the duration of the voting!


HOW TO EARN POINTS AND VOTE FOR HEARTH

 Guests earn one vote every time they make an eligible purchase at Target, online and in-store. In this regard, it’s not your typical voting program. Members earn votes as they shop at Target.

Earning Votes In Store: At checkout, a Target Guest may enter their phone number on the keypad, scan her/his Wallet barcode in the Target App at the time of purchase, or scan the barcode on her/his receipt with the Target App within seven (7) days of purchase.

Earning Votes Online: To earn a vote on a Target.com or Target App purchase, a Target guest must have joined Target Circle and be signed into their Target.com account when they place an order.

Casting Votes: Casting votes is a completely digital experience. A Target guest may login to their Target Circle account at https://circle.target.com/dashboard or on the mobile app and follow the prompts and instructions to vote. Nonprofits will display in a list with each organization’s name, logo, mission, and website link.

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