Malden Building To Become Housing For Homeless Veterans After Large Grant

Volunteers of America of Massachusetts serves more than 3,500 people each year through behavioral health, housing, and employment.

By Benjamin Pierce, Patch Staff

Aug 3, 2026 3:01 PM EDT

MALDEN, MA — A Malden building is set to be transformed into housing for veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness following a nearly $2 million investment from state officials and a national nonprofit foundation.

Volunteers of America of Massachusetts received a combined $1.95 million to renovate 105 Salem St. into 12 apartments for veterans in Greater Boston and on the North Shore. The former office building is expected to reopen in 2027, providing permanent housing and support services for residents.

The Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities and Executive Office of Veterans Services awarded the project $1.8 million, while The Home Depot Foundation contributed an additional $150,000. Residents will have access to case management, behavioral health services, connections to VA health care, employment and workforce development programs, and benefits navigation.

"Through our work with the veteran community, we are witnessing an ongoing, critical unmet need for housing as the cost of living continues to skyrocket," Volunteers of America of Massachusetts President and CEO Charles E. Gagnon said in a statement. "These monumental investments reflect a shared commitment to honoring and caring for our nation's heroes."

According to the nonprofit, more than 32,000 veterans experience homelessness on any given night nationwide. The Malden development is intended to help address that need locally by providing veterans with stable housing and access to services designed to support long-term independence.

Founded in 1934 and headquartered in Jamaica Plain, Volunteers of America of Massachusetts serves more than 3,500 people each year through behavioral health, housing, employment, veteran, re-entry and senior living programs. The organization also operates a statewide network of veteran services that assists more than 1,300 veterans and their families annually.

Volunteers of America of Massachusetts is continuing to seek private donations to help cover the remaining rehabilitation costs for the Salem Street project.