HAVERHILL, MA – September 17, 2019 — Dakota Partners, Maloney Properties, Haverhill Mayor James Fiorentini, Massachusetts state housing officials and other stakeholders gathered for a ceremonial ribbon-cutting to mark the culmination of Tenney Place Phase 2, a 144-unit, four-building affordable housing project. Phase 1 was completed in 2016. 

“When people can afford to live where they work, the entire community benefits,” said Roberto Arista, Principal at Dakota Partners. He went on to state that the creation of affordable housing “helps local communities thrive.”

Arista kicked off the series of speakers that included Mayor Fiorentini, officials from the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development, executive from Bank of America and Clark Ziegler, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Housing Partnership.

“The number one complaint I get in this city – other than potholes – is people can no longer afford to live here,” said Mayor Fiorentini. “There has to be a place for the people who were born here, grew up here – for them, their children, and their grandchildren. We cannot afford to have them priced out of the city.”

Mayor Fiorentini went on to say that he and his administration are “enthusiastic supporters” of Tenney Place, adding that the creation of the 144 Tenney Place units supports families’ ability to stay in Haverhill and be able to afford it.

“This is a spot where people work, and work hard for a living…[Tenney Place ensures that they] be able to stay in our city, and that’s why we’re so proud of it. This shows what a city can do with a developer, when we work cooperatively.”

Executive Director of the Massachusetts Housing Partnership Clark Ziegler commended the city of Haverhill for its ongoing commitment to creating affordable housing, and for being “a really welcoming community,” while emphasizing that the MHP enjoys doing business with Dakota Partners.

Following the speakers’ remarks, the 35 attendees went on to cut the ceremonial red ribbon in front of Building Four and tour one of the building’s 1-bedroom units.