Kelley’s Field was constructed 36 years ago as a 24-unit, affordable senior housing community in the center of Hinesburg. When the owner announced that he was selling Kelley’s Field, Housing Vermont and Cathedral Square partnered to purchase the property and make needed capital improvements. On September 17 the two nonprofit organizations joined residents and funders to celebrate the renovations which are expected to be completed in November.
“As many of you know, this was a community baseball field before this housing was constructed—that’s where the name ‘Kelley’s Field’ originated,” said Kathy Beyer, Director of Development for Housing Vermont. “To borrow a baseball term, today we are taking a seventh inning stretch to thank the residents for their patience and cooperation and to show funders and the community our progress to date.”
Renovations totaling $1.6 million include new kitchens, bathrooms and flooring; improvements to the building envelope including insulation and air sealing; new windows, siding and roofs; accessibility improvements; new energy efficient gas boilers; and a facelift to the community and laundry rooms.
“We think that we have hit a home run here,” said Kim Fitzgerald, Cathedral Square CEO.
“Not only are we making needed renovations and improvements, but we are preserving affordability of the housing for current senior residents as well as future residents.” Fitzgerald explained that HUD provides rental subsidies for Kelley’s Field which allows residents to pay 30% of their monthly income for rent providing housing security for seniors on modest fixed incomes.
Amenities at Kelley’s Field include a community room with kitchen, laundry facilities, and a covered gazebo for social gatherings. Kelley’s Field offers SASH—Support And Services at Home—at no cost for residents. SASH is a care coordination and health promotion program which assists residents and Medicare eligible community members in accessing the care they need to stay healthy while living safely and comfortably at home. The SASH model provides an on-site SASH Coordinator and a part-time Wellness Nurse who work as part of the SASH Team made up of staff from the Visiting
Nurse Association of Chittenden and Grand Isle Counties, CVAA, Howard Center and the participating resident or community member.
Funding of $4.2 million was raised from numerous sources to pay for acquiring and redeveloping Kelley’s Field. Housing Vermont’s Green Mountain Housing Equity Fund invested more than $1.1 million through federal tax credits while the Merchants Bank utilized state tax credits to invest $174,000. The People’s United Bank provided $300,000 through the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston’s Affordable Housing Program. Vermont Housing Finance Agency provided construction
and permanent financing. Other funders included the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board, Vermont Community Development Program through the Town of Hinesburg, the federal HOME program and the Vermont Center for Independent Living. Energy efficiency measures were funded through the Vermont Fuel Efficiency Partnership, the Weatherization Program, Vermont Gas and Efficiency Vermont.
S2 Architecture is the architect for the renovations, and HP Cummings Construction Company is the construction manager.
Photo credit: Kenn Sassorossi
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