Press Release: 5/2/2025

Healey-Driscoll Administration Celebrates Opening of Permanent Veteran Housing in Tewksbury

 

21 Affordable Units Add to First-Year Success of Governor Healey’s End Veteran Homelessness Campaign

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

5/01/2025

MEDIA CONTACT

Jacqueline Manning, Communications Director / Press Secretary

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Call Jacqueline Manning, Communications Director / Press Secretary at (857) 303-6051 

 Online

Email Jacqueline Manning, Communications Director / Press Secretary at jacqueline.manning@mass.gov

TEWKSBURY — Tewksbury – One year after launching the most ambitious effort in state history to end veteran homelessness, the Healey-Driscoll Administration today celebrated the ribbon cutting of the Gordon H. Mansfield Veterans Community, comprised of 21 brand-new, 100 percent affordable housing units for veterans. This marks the first completed project supported by the End Veteran Homelessness (EVH) campaign, which is a cross-collaborative initiative within the Healey-Driscoll Administration and federal, local, and veteran-serving organizations that prioritizes supportive housing, access to behavioral health services, capital investments to support veteran housing, and provides technical assistance to community providers.  

Developed by Soldier On, a leading homeless veteran service provider and recipient of the administration’s Housing Outreach-to-Placement Effort (HOPE) campaign, the $9.2 million project includes 21 fully furnished units—18 one-bedrooms and three studios—each with internet, cable, and all utilities included. Of the 21 units, 12 are supported by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development-VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) Program vouchers. In addition to the 12 HUD-VASH supported apartments, the remaining units are deed-restricted affordable—legally protected to ensure they remain accessible to veterans with limited incomes, no matter how the housing market changes. Residents also have access to a community room, amenity space, and supportive services.

“This is what progress looks like,” said Governor Maura Healey. “When we say we are ending veteran homelessness in Massachusetts, we mean it. Every unit here represents a life stabilized, a veteran housed, and a future restored. This is a great milestone and will make a real impact for the veterans who now call this community home.”

“This facility will be a gamechanger for the veterans who will live here. Not only will they have a safe, comfortable home, but they will also gain a community and easy access to the services and support they need,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “I congratulate Secretary Santiago, Secretary Augustus and Solider On for their hard work to make this milestone possible.”

The ribbon cutting coincides with the one-year anniversary of the EVH campaign, a $20 million cross-agency initiative led by the Executive Office of Veterans Services (EOVS) and the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC). In its first year, the campaign has placed more than 200 veterans in permanent and transitional housing, enrolled over 500 veterans in our HOPE program, and provided more than $500,000 in financial assistance to veteran families.

“No veteran should ever experience homelessness—not in Massachusetts or anywhere,” said Veterans Services Secretary Jon Santiago. “This campaign is designed to intervene early, offer strong case management, and build housing that meets veterans where they are. Today, we celebrate the first of many ribbon cuttings to come.”

“This is a great example of what happens when you align capital funding with wraparound care,” said Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Ed Augustus. “We’re not just building units— we’re building a future where housing and dignity go hand in hand for every veteran.”

“For years, we’ve dreamed of expanding our model across the Commonwealth, said Bruce Buckley, CEO of Soldier On,” Today, that dream becomes a reality here in Tewksbury. This is what partnership looks like—state agencies, banks, nonprofits, and veterans all working together.”

“The words veteran and homelessness should never be in the same sentence- period, end of story,” shared Senator John C. Velis, Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs. “I am grateful to the Healey-Administration for being such strong partners and ensuring that this funding got out the door expeditiously so that life-changing projects like this can become a reality and support our heroes with the dignity and respect they so deserve.”

“This project is proof that when we work together- across branches, across agencies- we can deliver real, lasting change for our veterans,” said Representative Joseph McGonagle, House Chair of the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs. I’m proud to support the End Veteran Homelessness campaign and to see the Legislature’s investment turning into stable homes like the ones we’re celebrating here in Tewksbury today.”

The ribbon cutting ceremony featured remarks from local and state leaders, including Senator Finegold, Representative Robertson, with a closing reflection from Shane Harrington, a resident of the new facility and employed by Soldier On.

The Healey-Driscoll Administration expects to add 330+ veteran housing units in the pipeline for development in the coming year.

For more information about the End Veteran Homelessness Campaign or to support ongoing efforts, visit: www.mass.gov/end-veteran-homelessness.

Statements of Support:

Senator Barry Finegold

"This new facility stands as a testament to our commitment to honor and support our veterans. Thanks to the leadership of SoldierOn and CEO Bruce Buckley, we are providing our heroes with the stability and dignity they deserve” 

Kevin Forrest, Acting Director

Department of Veterans Affairs New Bedford (VA Bedford) 

"This ribbon cutting marks more than just the opening of new housing—it reflects the long-standing collaboration between VA Bedford, Soldier On, and the Executive Office of Veterans Services. Together, we are expanding safe, stable housing options that make a lasting difference in the lives of Veterans across Massachusetts. We are proud to fully support this initiative and its positive impact on those who served.” 

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