Paraclete Inc. and South Boston Neighborhood Development Corporation are pleased to announce that they have entered into a purchase agreement to preserve the former St. Augustine’s convent, now known as McDevitt Hall, and convert the building into affordable apartments for seniors. The former St. Augustine’s convent on E Street has most recently been used by the Paraclete for its academic enrichment programs.

The Paraclete Board of Directors voted recently to enter into a purchase and sale agreement with South Boston NDC. Paraclete, which ceased after-school programming in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, will use the proceeds from the sale of the building to establish a fund for scholarships to support local youth, thereby continuing its dedication to the educational advancement of children in the South Boston neighborhood.

McDevitt Hall is a very special place in South Boston, said Donna Brown, South Boston NDC executive director. “South Boston NDC proposes to give new life and purpose to this historic building, given its deep ties to the community because of its history as the St. Augustine’s convent and, more recently, the Paraclete.”

“This deal will have several benefits for the community: preserving a historic building, creating much needed affordable housing for seniors, and establishing a fund so that Paraclete can continue to support the educational endeavors of local youth for many years to come,” said Peter Gelzinis, a Paraclete board member.

While preserving a building that has been part of the community for almost 100 years, South Boston NDC plans to address the significant need for affordable housing for the elderly by converting the former convent into approximately 30 affordable apartments for seniors.

​​“We know how hard it can be for seniors to stay in South Boston,” Brown said. “Even if they are able to afford increasing rents on a fixed income, they are often living in homes that were not designed with aging in mind. Our development offers permanently affordable homes specifically designed for seniors. 

The development will include a shared community room with a kitchenette and bathroom, laundry facilities, and an on-site manager. All apartments will be designed for people with mobility impairments. The apartments will be one-bedrooms and studios. South Boston NDC plans to provide on-site resident services support through its partnership with the South Boston Neighborhood House. Currently, South Boston NDC and SBNH partner to provide supportive senior housing at two sites: 376 West Fourth Street and O’Connor Way Senior Housing.

South Boston NDC will also preserve the green space that surrounds the building.

South Boston NDC has an almost 40-year track record of partnering and collaborating with nonprofit and for-profit partners to create and preserve more than 300 affordable homes. Our most recent senior development, 5 O’Connor Way, opened in December 2020 and houses 46 low-income elderly residents. South Boston NDC currently owns and manages 170 apartments and three retail spaces in 17 separate buildings, all located in the South Boston neighborhood.

South Boston NDC seeks to balance the affordable housing needs of the elderly and the neighborhood’s need for open space and historic preservation with the Paraclete’s educational mission and the establishment of a scholarship fund for local youth.

“This is a win-win for the neighborhood,” Brown said. “This is an opportunity to build community together.”

About South Boston NDC:

Since 1983, South Boston NDC has been dedicated to developing affordable housing for a broad range of residents, including the elderly, veterans, families, first-time home-buyers, and renters in South Boston. As a state-certified, mission-driven 501(c)(3) Community Development Corporation, South Boston NDC is committed to providing affordable housing and engaging in community development activities, including the creation of economic opportunities and quality-of-life improvements, that benefit the South Boston community.

 About Paraclete:

Paraclete Inc. was established in 1996 by Sister Ann Fox and Barry Hynes to conduct educational programs for the benefit of local youth. Together with AmeriCorps staff, Paraclete provided after-school academic tutoring and educational enrichment programs to middle school children in South Boston.  Paraclete acquired the former St. Augustine’s convent building in 2008. In 2016, the convent building was renamed McDevitt Hall in honor of Paul McDevitt, a longtime Paraclete board member.