Zoning overlay for Lifebridge expansion gets final OK from Salem council

By Michael McHugh at The Salem News

SALEM — A new ordinance for a project-based zoning overlay to allow for the expansion of the Lifebridge homeless shelter on Margin Street received final approval from the City Council on Thursday night with a 10-1 vote.

Through the adoption of a 40R Smart Growth Overlay District, the project seeks to expand the Lifebridge shelter to provide the formerly homeless with a more humane shelter than the current congregate model that places 50 bunk beds in a large, open interior space with shared facilities and little privacy.

In addition to improving the space with partial walls separating each bed, the plan aims to create about 53 studio apartments — 41 of which are new studio apartments, with the remaining 12 replacing existing single room occupancy units — as well as an additional 70 non-congregate shelter beds, and improved services.

The plan from Harborlight Homes LLC will keep the structure of the St. Mary’s Italian Church property, and add new wings to the building.

The new studio apartments will be placed in the left wing of the church, while the church and wings to the right would be used for Lifebridge programs, beds and offices for on-site staff who provide services like obtaining IDs, accessing social security and health benefits, and connecting with additional resources to gain footing and independence, according to Lifebridge.

“By choosing to partner with the city, we can continue to nurture our relationship with our housed and unhoused neighbors,” Lifebridge President Jason Etheridge said. “While we have stewarded this property for decades, we now have the opportunity to provide more dignified and hygienic living spaces and supportive services to vulnerable people. These steps are essential to maintaining a strong community in Salem and restoring hope in dire times.”

At the City Council’s Oct. 23 meeting, Councilors raised concerns over maintaining consistent representation on Lifebridge’s board of directors with at least one Salem resident. Since that meeting, Etheridge has provided a memorandum with a commitment to keep at least one Salem resident on their board going forward.

“The part of the conversation I’ve appreciated the most is what homelessness looks like,” Councilor-at-Large Ty Hapworth said. “We see the visible side of homelessness, which is its most tragic side, in Riley Plaza and along Essex Street, and this is something we’re clearly trying to prevent from happening by getting housing for folks. But the true face of homelessness is often invisible — people sleeping on couches or sleeping in cars.”

“Having this additional shelter space, though I don’t think it’s as much shelter space as we need in Salem, but specifically this additional housing, is something that we all appreciate seeing here.”

Ward 1 Councilor Cynthia Jerzylo was the sole vote that opposed the zoning overlay. In previous meetings, Jerzylo cited residents’ concerns over the project’s scope and safety, as well as its tangible effect in addressing the homelessness crisis.

“Chapter 40R is evidence our government is corrupt,” said Salem resident Mary Beth Bainbridge who opposed the project during the public comment period. “An expansion will not serve any more unhoused individuals than the highest numbers last summer. Scatter sites could provide immediate housing, but this developer does not want that.

“An expansion for $65 million with our taxpayer money is reckless. I have 65 million questions, but I will leave this council with one: Where is your fiduciary responsibility?”

With final approval for the 40R Smart Growth Overlay District now approved, the project will now move to its funding and financing stage, with construction on the new facility projected to begin in 2027, and construction on the new supportive housing apartments projected to begin in 2028.

More updates and a full project outline can be found at harborlighthomes.org/lifebridge-supportive.