Why we support Harborlight Homes: A Note from Pam and Dave Constantine

Pam and Dave Constantine, Beverly, MA 

Dave and I have given to Harborlight for years. Early on, the gift had almost the quality of a prayer. Could this small nonprofit with three low-income elder buildings under management, a big vision of housing for all, and a scrappy nature grow enough to be a player in this market? As a Board member for almost two decades, I can assure you it was an exciting ride. 

Under the smart (and scrappy) leadership of Andrew DeFranza, Harborlight did grow quickly through strategic mergers with housing organizations across the North Shore and through acquisitions of existing projects whose affordability restrictions were expiring, leaving them vulnerable to becoming market-rate housing. Equally as strategic was the decision to restructure the organization to become a Community Development Corporation (CDC). This would later open the Community Investment Tax Credit (CITC) program to Harborlight, which has been a financial game-changer for us.  Finally, because Harborlight continued to move projects along during COVID, its shovel-ready projects were well-positioned to receive the extra housing funding that was released post-COVID. 

In addition to its solid position as the largest CDC on the North Shore, Harborlight is also an innovator in new housing models. This would include Catalyst in Lynn, which provides apartments and services to young adults aging out of foster care; the upcoming Windward Crossing in Rowley, which, in partnership with the MA Department of Development Services, will offer a group home setting to adults with developmental challenges; and The Lighthouse Center, a community center offering multiple services to the 77 families who live at Anchor Point. Any of these innovative projects could be replicated by other housing organizations across the country. 

A gift to Harborlight Homes is a solid investment in a highly successful and innovative housing organization. Will you join Dave and me in supporting Harborlight’s big vision of housing for all?