DUO - Paving the Way for Enhanced Living in Chelsea Housing Communities

When Chelsea Housing Authority unveiled DUO, previously called Innes Apartments, Matt Frank, Director of Operations reflected upon the redevelopment of other CHA properties and pondered, "How can we bridge that gap for our next public housing families at our state sites?"

The opening of DUO was a landmark event, as it allowed standard public housing residents in Chelsea to transition into a state-of-the-art development. This initiative preserved crucial public housing units in Chelsea and now stands as a beacon of hope that MA NAHRO, Executive Director Donna Brown Rego hopes to see replicated throughout the state.

DUO is a community that provides stability, empowers resident voices, and fosters connections. This environment significantly enhances quality of life for residents. Reflecting on the transformation, one resident remarked, "Sometimes when I wake up, I'm like, am I still in the same city? It's still sinking in, but it's a good feeling. It's definitely an adrenaline rush sometimes."

"It's our job to give them that stability and to give them that voice and to connect them, all right, so that they can better the life of their families." - Paul Nowicki, Executive Director of Chelsea Housing Authority

Where public housing residents often struggled with a sense of disconnection from the larger community these ongoing redevelopment efforts are being made to seamlessly weave them into the city’s social fabric, enhancing their sense of belonging. Residents are more connected than ever—they are familiar with their elected representatives and city manager, assured that living in public housing does not limit their access to opportunities available to the rest of the community.

The true essence of these initiatives, including DUO and the current redevelopment at The Pratt, goes beyond buildings and materials. It focuses on people, striving for genuine equity and inclusion. While these terms are often considered buzzwords, here they resonate as a lived reality, ingrained in the community's very foundation.

Residents expressed their enthusiasm for the new facilities, viewing the transformation in Chelsea as a genuine blessing. The DUO accommodations truly deliver the WOW factor. With everything being brand new and unused, residents take pride in being the first to enjoy all the amenities. It’s akin to owning a newly constructed home. The modern bedrooms and full bathrooms contribute to the feeling of being in a more modern Chelsea.

"It's definitely safer, and you truly feel like you're in a place where you can relax and not have to worry." - CHA Resident

Residents and community members who played a role bringing this redevelopment to fruition regard the project as a blessing across the board. DUO marks the onset of a neighborhood renaissance and fulfills a long-held dream. As the Chelsea Housing Authority advances these enhancements, it prioritizes creating sustainable living solutions that benefit current residents and future generations.

"With a 99-year ground lease, CHA ensures that families can continue to call Chelsea their home for years to come." - Ed Ewing, Retired Executive Director of CHA

As we've begun the redevelopment of our Fitzpatrick/Prattville housing residences. Our goal is to create a vibrant mixed-income community that provides great housing, open space and enhances the neighborhood much in the same way DUO has.