Salem Schools To Transform Into Senior, Artist Housing, Studio Space

SALEM, MA — A new housing project set to transform two former Catholic schools into 61 units of senior affordable housing, as well as artist housing and workspace, broke ground with Lt. Gov. and former Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll back in the Witch City for the ceremonial launch.

The North Shore Community Development Coalition and the city of Salem are collaborating on the project that will turn the former schools into the St. James Residences and Hawthorne Loft.

The North Shore CDC said the project is expected to be completed at the end of 2025.

MassHousing in October closed on $22 million in financing for the buildings at 160 Federal Street and 13 Hawthorne Boulevard.

"We are thrilled to bring new life to these historic buildings and create much-needed affordable housing in Salem," said NSCDC CEO Felicia Pierce in a news release after the closing. "This project reflects our deep commitment to serving a diverse range of residents from artists to seniors and beyond while preserving the rich history and culture of our community. Through this redevelopment, we are not just building homes, we are fostering vibrant, inclusive communities where people can thrive."

MassHousing is providing NSCDC with $19.1 million in tax credit bridge financing, $2.4 million in permanent financing and $500,000 in Middle Income Housing financing.

Additional funding sources included $18.5 million in federal and state Low-Income Housing Tax Credit financing allocated by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC), $9.8 million in federal and state Historic Tax Credit financing, $25 million in construction financing from TD Bank, a total of $8.8 million in American Rescue Plan Act financing through the Affordable Housing Trust Fund and the City of Salem.

Hawthorne Lofts will have seven studios, 18 one-bedroom units, and four two-bedroom units with community art space and an artist preferencefor residents. Ten of the units will be restricted to households earning up to 30 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI) and supported by the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program, 14 units will be restricted to households earning up to 60 percent of AMI and five units will be restricted to households earning up to 80 percent of AMI.

Residences at St. James will have 11 studios, 19 one-bedroom units, and two two-bedroom units, all of which will be restricted to households with at least one member aged 62 or older. Eight of the apartments will be restricted to households earning up to 30 percent of AMI and supported by federal Section 8 housing subsidy, and 24 units will be restricted to households earning up to 60 percent of AMI.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)