In August of 2020, Pennrose was granted approval by the City of Boston to develop a housing complex for low-income, LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer) seniors. Now, nearly a year after the initial green-lighting, this groundbreaking project has Tentative Developer Designation status, and is being executed alongside partnering non-profit organization LGBTQ Senior Housing, Inc.
The idea for such a development was born from local community members. Philippe Saad, Vice President of LGBTQ Senior Housing Project, Inc., and Principal at DiMella Shaffer, was involved in surveying area residents for interest and need regarding an LGBT-specific senior living facility. Over the past ten years, a trend for developments geared toward the older LGBT population has taken off. Starting in Los Angeles with the Triangle Square, and moving across the country to cities like Philadelphia with the development of the John C. Anderson Apartments. It was a timely opportunity to find a space within the Greater Boston area. After receiving overwhelmingly positive support from individuals and other inclusive organizations, the aforementioned non-profit was formed with Pennrose as its primary partner.
Dubbed “The Pryde”, this housing development will be located in Hyde Park in the historic William Barton Rogers School. The project will be an adaptive reuse of the original building, built in 1902, and its two additions, completed in 1920 and 1935 respectively. The design team at DiMella Shaffer, led by Saad himself, and Senior Associate Jovi Cruces, aims to maintain the integrity of the existing building exterior, while renovating the interior classroom spaces to include 74 affordable housing units. The space will not only be ADA compliant, but will exceed federal requirements to be as accessible as possible, including to those with early dementia symptoms.
But why older LGBTQ adults specifically? “The older [LGBT] population lived in a different time,” Saad explains. “They were around during the AIDS crisis, had fewer job opportunities, and less chance to build income and their 401ks for retirement. On top of that, there is the fear of not being welcomed.” In a 2013 Pew Survey of LGBT Americans, it was found that 72% of community members have never lived in a historically LGBTQ neighborhood. 56% said that it is important to maintain these spaces and out of the positive respondents, 50% were 45 and older. According to a later poll conducted by Gallup in 2016, it was found that those who identify at LGBTQ were more likely to earn less than $36,000 annually.
According to Saad, “It is important that we create a supportive community, but not an exclusive one.” The Pryde is open to any low-income senior in need of housing, while remaining open about its focus and support of the LGBT community, thus fostering a diverse and welcoming environment.
So what makes a space LGBTQ? It comes down to being more than just rainbow fixtures and art installations (although, as Cruces pointed out, those will still be present). Designing with the community in mind allowed the team to address the nuance found in LGBT individuals’ specific living needs. It has been observed by community members that some LGBT people, historically, are not always involved in the nuclear-family structure. Rather, some may be more privy to develop their own “found families” composed of close friends and other community members. Because of this, The Pryde is designed to include more two-bedroom units than usually found in senior housing, so singles with the desire to live with friends or platonic partners may do so.
With the goals of the building set, the next question was that of location; a question that has come up several times, and, according to Saad and Cruces, started early on in the planning process. “Hyde Park is far from Downtown Boston. We looked at multiple locations in the South End, Downtown, Jamaica Plain, and Dorchester,” both said. Ultimately, the decision to settle in Hyde Park, a good 30 minutes by car from Downtown Boston, came down to accessibility and neighborhood amenities. “Not everyone wants to be in the hustle and bustle of downtown.” Luckily, Hyde Park offers, what Saad and Cruces believe to be, everything a potential resident may be looking for.
“Hyde Park is very walkable, with two connections to public transportation so people can visit and go downtown. There’s also a commercial strip, a bowling alley, ice cream, anything you would want.”
The public spaces and social opportunities of the neighborhood are ones that will be reflected in the layout of The Pryde. Multiple community rooms, including an art room, gallery, and classrooms will be open to both residents and the public. A courtyard will be placed at the heart of the complex, allowing for outdoor activities and socialization. And finally, the addition of a sunroom, equipped with bookcases and a coffee bar, will provide even more tranquil, shared-space for residents, friends, and family.
Though extensive research on the conditions of LGBTQ members of the Asian American population has not been widely conducted, there have been some polls to indicate the challenges of being both Asian American and LGBTQ. In January 2012, Pew, as a part of its wider Asian American study, found that around 32% of Asian Americans believe that homosexuality should be discouraged. Birth status was the biggest divider amongst participants’ responses, with 41% of negative responders being foreign-born, and 49% being 55 and older.
In a 2004 conference held by conglomerate group the Queer Asian Pacific Legacy, 96% of attendees felt that homophobia and transphobia were issues within the APA (Asian Pacific American) community. 82% had experienced discrimination based on sexual orientation, and some APA LGBT groups claimed to be more interractive with general LGBT groups than general APA groups. Only 8% of attendees said that their previous interactions with non-LGBT APA groups had no effect on their willingness to participate further. However, most still claimed that their experiences were equally positive and negative.
Senior residences following a similar model to The Pryde are beginning to emerge in Chinatown, the foremost example being the Hong Lok House (GBCGAC). Though it is not LGBTQ-specific, the revival of historical structures to provide accessible housing opportunities is no longer a strange concept within Boston.
