Supporting Seniors in Swampscott

Seniors are the largest demographic in Swampscott, yet our town has not built new senior housing in nearly 70 years. Many of our current facilities are outdated, limiting the level of care we can provide and preventing Swampscott from qualifying for important state and federal funding.

The Challenge

• Senior housing managed through the Housing Authority has not received adequate investment

• Older buildings make it difficult to access HUD and expanded state reimbursements

• Seniors on fixed incomes are especially impacted by these limitations

A Path Forward

The Clarke School offers a unique opportunity to address these challenges in a meaningful way.

A potential plan could include:

• Relocating the Senior Center from the high school to the Clarke School

• Adding an additional floor to create up to 50 new senior housing units

• Building modern, accessible housing that qualifies for state and federal reimbursement

• Freeing up space at the high school for other town needs, such as administrative offices

Strengthening Community

This vision also encourages intergenerational connection:

• Seniors could engage with students and volunteer within the school system

• A potential pre-K program could be incorporated into the building

• Community interaction would benefit residents of all ages

Looking Ahead

By investing in updated senior housing, Swampscott can better support its seniors, unlock critical funding, and use town buildings more efficiently—creating a stronger, more connected community for generations to come.