The Treehouse Model: An Intergenerational Community Supporting Youth in the Child Welfare System

In 2006, the Treehouse Foundation established an intergenerational community in Easthampton, Massachusetts, that includes a community center and 60 affordable homes where families raising children experiencing foster care live alongside adults over age 55. This Case Report identifies the model’s key components: intergenerational living, affordable housing, support services, and community building. It describes challenges including siloed funding, property maintenance, generational differences, and caring for residents as they age in place, concluding with the organization’s evaluation and expansion plans.