Treehouse at Easthampton Meadow

EASTHAMPTON

In 2003, Judy Cockerton, a foster mother and the founder of the Treehouse Foundation, along with Pam Goodman, President of Beacon Communities Development, came to talk to The Life Initiative.

They had the idea to build an innovative residential community that would provide support for families in the process of adopting children from the Commonwealth’s foster care system. Judy had identified a 46-acre site at the foot of Mt. Tom in Easthampton and the team was seeking financing so they could purchase the site. Although the mission of creating a new model for caring for children who had been in foster care was clear, the path to actually building the community was less so.

TLI staff knew that the overall planning for the site, the input of the town and neighbors via the 40B zoning process, the availability of public financing sources and market conditions, would all impact the final outcome of the development. But TLI also understood that the combination of Treehouse Foundation’s vision and commitment, and Beacon Communities’ experience and dedication, would result in a unique and very important community at Easthampton Meadow. Based on the overall strength of the team and the innovative model proposed, TLI provided the financing necessary for the acquisition of the site.

Treehouse provides twelve three, four, and five bedroom houses, and 48 one bedroom cottages designed for elders.  The Treehouse rental housing is a fully operating village with a range of services and support for the families and elders living there.    Once Treehouse was completed, TLI stepped up to the plate again to provide Beacon Communities with a revolving construction loan that allows Beacon to build out thirty three new homes on the remainder of the site.  Nine of the new houses are being sold to first-time homebuyers.  The remaining twenty four are being sold at market prices.  A little over a year into the construction period, the site is truly beginning to take the form of Judy’s original vision.  Upon completion of the homeownership phase, Treehouse will become a truly multigenerational village dedicated to creating a supportive environment for children, an opportunity for elders and other adults to contribute to community life, as well as 100 units of new housing.

• Land loan to acquire and hold site
• Revolving construction line of credit