Since 2018, the Dartmouth Partners in Housing have been working to break ground on its affordable housing project — the first in Dartmouth in over a decade.

However, after facing a number of financial challenges and raising over $4 million for the project, the nonprofit was finally able to celebrate with those who got them there Wednesday, Oct. 30. 

Named after the late Joseph Mendes and the late Joseph Monteiro, who were longstanding members of the Dartmouth Housing Authority and advocates for the elderly and disabled, the Mendes-Monteiro Project is a 10-unit affordable housing development for seniors, 55 years and older, who receive services from the Department of Mental Health. 

Mendes was also formerly a member of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials and Dartmouth’s District 3 Fire Department.

His daughter, Joanne Mendes, speaking at the celebration, said, “I can’t thank you enough for remembering a man who was and still is my hero — that you saw fit to honor his legacy by adding his name to this project.”

Monteiro was also a member of the Dartmouth community, formerly serving as a police officer and a bus driver. His nephew, Bob Monteiro, accepted the honor for his family, including Joseph Monteiro’s wife, who recently turned 100 years old.

The house will consist of six one-bedroom units and one four-bedroom group home, with a 24 hour staff. Preference will be given to Dartmouth residents for the spaces, which will be filled via referral. 

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. The state funds the remainder of the project.

With $1 million of this coming from the Community Preservation Act fund, Buddy Baker-Smith, chair of the Community Preservation Committee, spoke in support of the project and commended the Select Board and Town Meeting for their proven commitment toward affordable housing in Dartmouth.

Many people want to return to the place they grew up to live out the rest of their lives, he said. This project gives that opportunity to those who previously could not afford to or would not have the necessary resources.

Having worked with the Department of Mental Health for years, Baker-Smith said he is confident in the department’s ability to provide the seniors in this housing the support necessary for them to live as independently as possible.

Baker-Smith additionally spotlighted Desbiens saying, “I really don’t think we could be at this point today without the professional and steady hand that you gave this project for many years, through all kinds of challenges.”

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.

Henry Quinlan, the construction company’s president, said he promises the project to be “on time and on budget.”

Desbiens said, “We say it took a village to get this far, it’s going to take an even bigger village to finish.”