New Affordable Senior Housing Development Coming to Lynn

The Solimine House, a 150-unit affordable housing project, is scheduled to open in 2027 with a focus on community and wellness.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 8:28pm

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A high-contrast, silkscreen-style illustration of a senior living object such as a walker or park bench, repeated in a grid pattern with bold, neon-like colors, conceptually representing the community-driven approach of the Solimine House project.The vibrant, community-focused design of the new Solimine House senior living development aims to bring joy and connection to Lynn's older residents.Lynn Today

The Solimine House, a new affordable senior housing development in Lynn, Massachusetts, is set to open in the fall of 2027. The project is a collaboration between the Solimine family, 2Life Communities, and Element Care, with the goal of providing not just housing but a vibrant community for Lynn's elderly residents.

Why it matters

The Solimine House project aims to address the lack of affordable senior housing options in Lynn, a city where many older residents have had to leave due to the high cost of living. By partnering with experienced non-profit organizations, the development will offer a range of services and amenities to improve the quality of life for Lynn's senior population.

The details

The Solimine House will feature 150 units of affordable senior housing, as well as a 'village center' on the ground floor with a multipurpose room, fitness space, and outdoor areas for gathering. The campus will also include an Element Care PACE (Program for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) center, which will provide health and home care resources to low-income seniors. A walkway will connect the PACE center to the Solimine House, integrating the various services and community spaces.

  • The Solimine House is scheduled to open in the fall of 2027.
  • Construction on the project is already underway.
  • 2Life Communities is also redeveloping the former Thurgood Marshall Middle School site at 19 Porter St. into 114 apartments, with construction set to begin prior to the completion of the Solimine House.

The players

David J. Solimine Jr.

The son of Mary Jane and David J. Solimine Sr., who purchased the former Union Hospital property with the intention of keeping it as a community resource. Solimine Jr. is partnering with 2Life Communities and Element Care on the Solimine House project.

Magnolia Contreras

The wife of David J. Solimine Jr. and the vice president of community health at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Contreras and Solimine Jr. had discussed the need for more affordable senior housing in Lynn prior to pursuing the Solimine House project.

2Life Communities

A non-profit organization founded in 1965 that is partnering with the Solimines on the Solimine House project, with the goal of providing not just housing but a vibrant community for Lynn's elderly residents.

Element Care

A healthcare provider that will operate a PACE (Program for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) center on the Solimine House campus, offering health and home care resources to low-income seniors.

Lizbeth Heyer

The president of 2Life Communities, who emphasized the importance of using community living to combat isolation and improve the overall quality of life for older adults.

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What they’re saying

“What we're really about is using the platform of community living to bring joy and connection to people, because it's really – as covid taught us isolation is a killer, and for older adults, in particular, isolation and loneliness has been shown to accelerate rates of dementia and heart disease and diabetes and many other kind of health conditions that that older adults face.”

— Lizbeth Heyer, President, 2Life Communities

“[We] had talked about how sad it is that many of our older residents sometimes have to leave the city for all kinds of reasons, but mostly it's because the lack of support of how expensive housing has become in our city.”

— Magnolia Contreras, Vice President of Community Health, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

“I get so excited when I see a new banner up and all the partners that are working together to make this reality. It's going to be an emotional moment when this is done.”

— Magnolia Contreras, Vice President of Community Health, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

“I'm excited each day because I live in the neighborhood, so I drive by every day. I'm excited to see the progress.”

— David J. Solimine Jr.

What’s next

The Solimine House is scheduled to open in the fall of 2027, while the redevelopment of the former Thurgood Marshall Middle School site at 19 Porter St. into 114 apartments by 2Life Communities is set to begin construction prior to the completion of the Solimine House.

The takeaway

The Solimine House project represents a collaborative effort to address the lack of affordable senior housing in Lynn, Massachusetts, by providing not just living spaces but a vibrant community focused on improving the quality of life for older residents. The integration of healthcare services, social activities, and community-driven initiatives aims to combat isolation and support the overall well-being of Lynn's senior population.