Wilson Gardens Multi-generational Veterans’ Housing (proposed)
In response to the vision of a citizen concerned with the lack of veteran’s housing in the metrowest area, the Trust has put resources into predevelopment work at proposed site, which is the town-owned Henry Wilson cobbler shop memorial. In addition to the highly advantageous location, the combination of the veteran’s housing and the memorial to Wilson makes a compelling case for the project. To date, the Trust has conducted title research, sorted out environmental issues, and commissioned a property and topo survey. Significantly, the project also benefited from a feasibility study conducted by a team of graduate students, that examined design and financial issues. The Trust looks forward to moving this project forward to the RFP stage, with the support of all town agencies. As the property is currently park land, compensatory “Article 97” land is needed.
Wilson Gardens will be the future home for a multi-generational veterans’ community-the first of its kind in Boston MetroWest. Carved out from an under-used, town-owned open space, it forges a model for affordable housing that integrates historic preservation, open space transformation, and the understanding that housing is a social determinant of health.
Located adjacent to the memorial to Henry Wilson, an abolitionist and a Civil War Veteran from Natick, Wilson Gardens will be a 100% affordable housing development with 48 units catering to veterans who earn 30% or 60% of the area median income. With a sequence of cascading communal terraces at each floor and an adjacent public open space, Wilson Gardens will bring together veterans across different stages in life, while integrating them into the community.
Conceived with a public health-focused programming strategy that leverages existing community resources, Wilson Gardens will be a welcoming home for our veterans after years of fortitude, service, and sacrifice.