The path to stability out of homelessness begins with a safe place to sleep and a supportive environment. The “Cottages at Shattuck” – a transitional housing community to address the homelessness crisis at the intersection of Massachusetts Ave and Melnea Cass Blvd -- was conceived and built by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in under 100 days at the Shattuck Hospital Campus in Jamaica Plan.

Comprised of prefabricated units manufactured and shipped by Pallet – a social purpose company based in Everett, WA -- the shelter community was planned, designed, and constructed the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM) working closely the Executive Office of Health and Human Services with the design team led by ICON Architecture. The new community operated by Commonwealth Care Alliance will provide wrap around behavioral, medical, and recovery support staffing as well housing-search supports onsite. Most importantly, it will serve as a safe place for those in transition from homelessness.

What does it take for the State to build a housing community under 100 days? What are the tradeoffs in working with prefabricated structures that does not conform with MA building codes? How does one work with regulatory and operational challenges? What’s the role of art and creative placemaking in community building?

Join us for a conversation with Kendra Halliwell AIA (Associate Principal, ICON) and Ganesh Ramachandran (Deputy Director, Office of Planning, DCAMM)