(L-R): Robert Corley, CEO NeighborWorks Housing Solutions; Resident; Mayor Thomas Koch, mayor of Quincy; Jim Cassetta, CEO WorkInc.
NeighborWorks Housing Solutions, the leading housing service provider in southern Massachusetts, announced the opening of one of their newest homes on Bicknell Road in the Germantown neighborhood of Quincy.
Through a partnership with WORK Inc., this house serves as the home to five adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and is the only completely deaf-friendly home of this kind in eastern Massachusetts. The home is staffed on a 24-hour basis and is fully integrated with smart technology to accommodate the deaf staff and residents. The house opened and welcomed the new residents late last month, and was officially celebrated with a small ribbon-cutting last week.
“We are so proud of the current project in Germantown in partnership with NeighborWorks Housing Solutions,” said Jim Cassetta, president and CEO of WORK Inc. “WORK Inc. and NeighborWorks have worked together for many years and are excited about this new housing development. WORK Inc. operates 22 residential group houses for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This unique home is being developed and built to accommodate individuals with mobility issues, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and hearing impairment.
“WORK Inc. is grateful to have the support and partnership of NeighborWorks Housing Solutions, the city of Quincy, the Department of Developmental Services, and many others to make this project possible,” Cassetta added.
Elton Hampton Architects designed the home; funding was provided by the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development, the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services, and the city of Quincy.
“This has been an honor to collaborate with WORK Inc. on this project, which will truly be a home to five individuals who have a unique set of needs,” said Robert Corley, chief executive officer of NeighborWorks Housing Solutions. “We’re excited to show the community how important this type of housing is for the community. We look forward to partnering with WORK Inc. and other similar agencies to help create more housing like the home in Germantown.”
NHS and WORK Inc. have been partnering with QATV to document the history the project, and share information about this type of housing and its importance. The three-part series is currently in the works and will be available for viewing on QATV’s website.
About NeighborWorks® Housing Solutions
NeighborWorks ® Housing Solutions is the leading housing service provider in southern Massachusetts. NHS has more than 70 years of combined experience in the community development field and provides services to more than 11,000 households in more than 75 cities and towns across the region. In addition to building and managing 786 units of housing for veterans, homeless families and others in need, the agency offers a wide range of housing services, including foreclosure prevention counseling, home rehabilitation loans and grants, financial coaching and first-time homebuyer workshops. For more information, contact Serenity Belo, Resource Development Director, at 617-770-5217 or sbelo@nhsmass.org, or visit: www.nhsmass.org
