Mayor, partners and residents celebration first move-ins at 20 Stephenson Aman Apartments

Somerville Mayor Katjana Ballantyne, partners and residents joined POAH to celebrate the first move-ins at the newly constructed 20 Stephenson Aman Apartments in Somerville, MA, a 168-unit development that marks the first phase of comprehensive redevelopment of Clarendon Hill state public housing. This initial phase delivers 130 of the 216 replacement units designated as deeply affordable state public housing. The development is a collaborative effort between Preservation of Affordable Housing (POAH), the Somerville Community Corporation (SCC), and the Somerville Housing Authority (SHA), responding to a call from the Commonwealth to harness the strength of the current housing market through a public-private partnership to revitalize the site.
Originally built in 1948 to house veterans returning from World War II—primarily single-person households—Clarendon Hill is now being reimagined as a vibrant, family-oriented residential community. The redevelopment will offer a mix of income targeted housing, upgraded amenities, and stronger integration with the surrounding neighborhood. The long-term plan includes, new market-rate units, the transformation of existing state-aided public housing, and new income-restricted apartments.

Speakers included Mayor Ballantye, Gonzalo Puigbo, SCC CEO, Diane Cohen, SHA Executive Director, Aaron Gornstein, POAH President and CEO and Clarendon residents Maggie Joseph, Jessica Turner and Letissia Scott who cut the ribbon at the entrance of the building.

The community room was dedicated to the late Greg Bialecki who served as a principal at Redgate and was among the original visionaries behind the Clarendon Hill Redevelopment. From 2016 until his untimely passing in 2024, Greg brought unmatched leadership, creativity, perseverance, and wit to the team that launched this transformative effort. His work at Redgate represented the culmination of a career devoted to strengthening communities and driving innovation, always with an emphasis on sustainability and inclusivity. The Clarendon Hill project— shaped by Greg’s ideas and energy—stands as a testament to that vision.

More info about the project at www.clarendonhill.org