Dartmouth’s first affordable housing project in a decade has finally broken ground and will celebrate its achievement Wednesday, Oct. 30 at 2 p.m.

The Mendes-Monteiro Project is a 10-unit affordable housing development for seniors who receive services from the Department of Mental Health. 

The Dartmouth Partners in Housing have been looking to get the approximately $2.5 million housing project constructed since 2018. 

The town has $1 million invested in the project, the Dartmouth Housing Authority has another million funding it — with an additional $500,000 loan that will be paid back through the Affordable Homes Act, which has been officially passed, according to Connie Desbiens, director of Partners in Housing.

Having secured its funding, construction has begun at the site on Anderson Way, with the grounds clear and foundation beginning to be laid. 

The construction is estimated to take about a year, with South Coast Improvement Company hired for its construction, according to Desbiens.

“We are thankful for all of the support we have received from the town,” Desbiens said.