Lifebridge North Shore Supportive Housing Project

Who is involved?
Two local non-profit organizations are partners in this effort: Lifebridge North Shore and Harborlight Homes.

The core goal is to help as many people as possible recover from homelessness. To achieve that we will
attempt to:

• Create a more dignified, non-congregate facility to replace the two current congregate shelters (one
  on Margin St. with 40 congregate beds and one on Canal St. with 70 current congregate beds)
• The new Facility will reduce from the current total of 110 beds to 70 beds: 35%+ reduction
• Create improved facilities at Lifebridge that promote intense supportive services and case
  management to assist guests on their journey out of homelessness
• Create small apartments to support the long-term independence of the formerly homeless.
• This is an increase from 12 current rooms to 67 studio apartments.

1. 1.  This is a decrease from the original plan to build 87 new apartments.
   2. All apartments will have their own bathroom and kitchen.
   3. There will be offices on site for staff and common areas for residents.
   4. These apartments are permanent with a lease.
   5. The majority of the apartments will be affordable at 30% of “area median income” which is
      currently: $34,380 or below.
   6. The studio apartments are for a single person, roughly 250-400 square feet.
   7. This model is very similar to the 26 apartments Harborlight Homes runs on Boston Street.

The design plan has shifted in response to community commentary, questions, and concerns, shared via
email, in-person discussion, or community meetings (see below).

The original plan in Spring of 2022:

1. Building a new park on the current Christopher Columbus Club to replace the current park.
2. Building new affordable housing for seniors on the current park site.
3. Building a new space for the Club.
4. Demolishing the Church and building new small apartments for the formerly homeless.
5. Building a new site for Lifebridge to include non-congregate shelter, program space, and the thrift store.

*This plan resulted in concerns regarding the current park, trees, height of buildings which were 5 stories,
proximity of the senior building to the neighbors, and the historic importance of the former Church.

Plan 2 in March of 2023:

1. Building a new park on the current Christopher Columbus Club to replace the current park.
2. Building new affordable housing for seniors on the current park site.
3. Building a new space for the Club.
4. Preserving the Church façade and historic artifacts and building them into the interior and exterior of the supportive housing apartment building for the formerly homeless.
5. Building a new site for Lifebridge to include non-congregate shelter, program space, and the thrift store.

*This plan resulted in similar concerns to the first plan.

Plan 3 in November of 2023:

1. Preserving the Church building and creating wings on either side.
   • This building would house the new non-congregate shelter, day service center, and
     include the community meals program.
2. Replacing the current Lifebridge building with a 5-story building to house apartments for the
   formerly homeless.
3. Moving the Club and a version of the Thrift Store into commercial spaces on the first floor.
4. Leaving the current park and trees as they are and not pursuing a senior affordable housing
   building.

*This plan was more well received, but concerns remained about height of the apartment building and the
inclusion of the thrift store.

Plan 4 in September of 2024:

1. Preserving the Church building and creating wings on either side.
   • This building would house the new non-congregate shelter, day service center, and community meals program.
2. Replacing the current Lifebridge building with a 4-story building to house apartments for the formerly homeless.
3. Adding parking in the space where the Columbus Club is currently located and under some of the new apartments.
4. Moving the Club to a corner retail space.
5. Eliminating the thrift store from this location.
6. Leaving the current park and trees as they are and not pursuing a senior affordable housing building.

*This plan is currently being discussed. Thus far the improvement in height, preservation of the former
Church, inclusion of the club, elimination of the Thrift Store, eliminating the plan to build a park and a senior
building seem to be well received. Questions have shifted to operations and the question of this site vs other
possible sites.

• 2024-2025: Permitting and design
• 2025-2027: Funding and financing
• 2027: Construction start on new Lifebridge Facility
• 2028: Construction start on new supportive housing apartments for the formerly homeless

• The Christopher Columbus Club has the right to lease a new club space on the Corner of Margin Street and Endicott Street.
• • This space will be a separate and exclusive unit for the Club’s use.
• In collaboration with the Club, Historic Salem, and any interested parties’ historic artifacts from the current club property and the former Church will be made available to the Club for display in their new facility and/or in the public view in the neighborhood as preferred.

Lifebridge will run a variety of services in support of residents and day center guests:

• Community Service Personnel, Case Managers, Licensed Clinical Social Workers, & Direct Care Workers (12+ staff onsite daily) to support guests, one on one, in the journey out of homelessness.
• Other Supportive Services include but not limited to peer recovery support, art therapy, music therapy, resume building, job search, and trauma informed Yoga.
• Daily community meals program.
• Clothing and access to furniture when housing is secured.
• Ongoing one-on-one case management for those recently housed to connect with community resources, skill building, health, and educational supports.

The Harborlight Homes permanent supportive apartment building will have:

• On-site Property Manager
• Maintenance Staff
• Resident Services Coordinator.

• The buildings vary in height to make a more interesting street scape.
  • All buildings are now below the peak of the former Church.
• Each apartment will be for a single individual, enforced through the health code.
• Each apartment will have its own kitchen and bathroom.
• The 70 shelter beds will be non-congregate to promote public health and dignity.

Yes. We expect that the apartments will have a local preference for 70% of the units in the lottery.

This should very much help house the local homeless population.

• • This means those living in Salem, including those living outdoors, have a better chance of access – and therefore recovery – from homelessness.

This is a State program that provides parameters and financial incentives: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/chapter-40r

•  The project could be built under 40B, 40R, or the Dover Amendment.
  •  https://www.mass.gov/chapter-40b-planning-and-information
  • Dover Amendment – Wikipedia
• 40R is being suggested because it would be the way to move the project forward and create unrestricted funds for the City.

There were two public meetings hosted by the non-profits at the Community Life Center to take questions and feedback. These were recorded by Salem Cable Access TV and can be viewed. 7/13/23 and 11/16/23.

We held a third public meeting on 9/5/24, also run by the non-profits at the Immaculate Conception Church in Salem to response to questions. For this public meeting, we solicited questions in advance via email and Google form.

We have held and continue to hold numerous discussions with various constituents including neighbors and Historic Salem, Inc. (HSI)

First, we will continue to be engaged with various boards and constituents, especially abutters, the planning board, and HSI to adjust and improve the overall design. We are open to this and will be engaged in that process.

Second, as we have gone through this process and listened to constituents that includes a wide variety of perspectives. We have tried to be aware of and responsive to concerns as we pursue mission integrity.

1. It appears (to us) that having made adjustments to size, preservation, unit total, and location, the remaining issues are related to operations and accountability.
2. We have seen in recent months the shifting and growth of the homeless population, especially in terms of the now defunct encampment(s). Long term housing with support is critical so solving the homeless crisis.
3. There are concerns for the well-being and the activity of individuals struggling with homelessness inside Lifebridge and those on the street. Many people clearly express the need for assurances that they will feel safe in their homes and neighborhood AND that those struggling locally with homelessness will be treated well and have a chance to succeed.

With this in mind, we have some common interests to build from and collaborate on: What would be needed to help neighbors feel safer and more confident?
 Resident Manager at the apartments?
 Cleanup crew for the neighborhood?
 Lifebridge Community Liaison to solicit feedback and respond to issues?
 Plan to interact with the Salem Police Dept. Community Impact Unit?
 What should be and can be the response to homeless individuals on the street who decline services and/or who are not safe to participate inside the Lifebridge facilities? Can we work on this with a variety of groups from within the City?