Memory Care Affordable Housing Project Gets $250K Infusion from Linn Foundation

Boston — Rogerson Communities announced the receipt of a $250,000 grant from the Ruby W. and LaVon P. Linn Foundation in support of its Rogerson House redevelopment project in Jamaica Plain.

The project consists of building a new six-story building with 66 memory care units, in addition to 41 affordable independent living apartments for older adults, to replace the existing Rogerson House building on site. The new building will include space for the organization’s memory care social day program, a Fitness FIRST center, and feature more than 20,000 square feet of outdoor space, including four garden areas, portions of which will be publicly accessible.

Over the past six months, the project has achieved significant forward momentum, including approval from the Boston Planning and Development Agency, unanimous approval of Boston’s Zoning Board of Appeals, and three million dollars in funding from the Mayor’s Office of Housing. The Linn Foundation gift will augment over $1.6 million in philanthropic donations to the project so far this year.

Rogerson is modernizing and expanding its flagship community to continue delivering the compassionate care the organization is known for in the face of historic challenges. By 2030, nearly two million Massachusetts residents will be over the age of 60, and more than half of them will lack the resources they need for housing and care. At the same time, dementia rates continue to rise—more than 150,000 people in the Commonwealth struggle with it, a number that’s expected to double by 2060.

“Affordable housing and memory care are two of the most pressing needs for older adults in the Commonwealth, and this project uniquely addresses both,” said Rogerson President and CEO Walter Ramos. “Philanthropic institutions see the need for projects like Rogerson House as clearly as anyone, and play a critical role in bringing more care to more older adults. We are extremely excited and grateful to receive this award.”