Medford Celebrates Grand Opening Of Renovated Saltonstall Apartments

MEDFORD, MA — The Medford Housing Authority celebrated the completion of the renovated Saltonstall Apartments with a ribbon-cutting ceremony this week, marking the end of a years-long modernization project that transformed the city's largest public housing community for seniors and people with disabilities.

Located at 121 Riverside Ave. in the heart of Medford Square, the 11-story building first opened in 1968. Renovation work began in early 2023 and modernized all 200 apartments while preserving the affordable housing community. The redevelopment also created 22 new deeply affordable homes through the project.

The renovated building now features updated one- and two-bedroom apartments with open-concept kitchens, central heating and air conditioning, accessible step-in showers, modern community spaces, a rooftop terrace, and other accessibility improvements. The apartments serve older adults and people with disabilities, with rent for eligible households based on 30 percent of a resident's income.

The redevelopment was financed using Low-Income Housing Tax Credits and serves as a model for preserving and modernizing public housing through a partnership between the Medford Housing Authority and the Cambridge Housing Authority.

"What a fantastic day celebrating the new Medford Housing Authority Saltonstall Apartments!" City Council President Zac Bears said following the event. "This is a huge accomplishment for our city, and especially for the hundreds of seniors and people with disabilities who have brand new, affordable public housing right in the heart of Medford Square. This project is a model, and we need a lot more like it to help address the affordable housing crisis harming so many of our neighbors."

State Rep. Paul Donato also attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony alongside Medford Housing Authority Executive Director Jeffrey Driscoll.

"These renovations are crucial in helping to increase accessibility to housing and will create a new space to continue building a strong sense of community across Medford," Donato said.

The city's Planning, Development, and Sustainability office said the project represents the successful repositioning of public housing while expanding affordable housing opportunities in Medford. The office also shared remarks from a resident, who said, "This redevelopment reflects our shared vision for a vibrant, accessible, and community-centered place to call home."

The Saltonstall Apartments are now leasing one- and two-bedroom units for seniors ages 62 and older and people with disabilities.

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