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BOSTON
- Friday, March 22, 2024 – Today, Mayor Michelle Wu announced this year's
affordable rental, homeownership, and cooperative housing funding awards.
In collaboration with the Neighborhood Housing Trust (NHT) and the
Community Preservation Committee (CPC), Mayor Wu recommended funding to be
awarded to projects that will create or preserve 826 housing units, with
775 designated as income-restricted homes. The $68.96 million in awards
will support 14 developments spanning nine neighborhoods, utilizing various
funding resources such as Community Development Block Grants (CDBG),
Inclusionary Development Policy (IDP), HOME, Community Preservation Act
(CPA), and Linkage.
"Collaborating
closely with community across neighborhoods, we're leveraging all available
resources within the city to tackle Boston's housing challenges,”
said Mayor Michelle Wu. “These housing grants will strengthen
our communities, enhance affordability, and continue to establish Boston as
a home for current residents, families, and future generations. Thank you
to the Neighborhood Housing Trust and the Community Preservation Committee
for their partnership as we continue our efforts to build a Boston that is
home for everyone."
The
Mayor’s Office of Housing, the CPC and the NHT released a Request for
Proposals (RFP) to solicit support for income-restricted housing
initiatives. In response to the RFP, 24 teams submitted proposals totaling
over $115 million. The submissions were subjected to a rigorous evaluation
against specific criteria, including team capacity, financial feasibility,
cost to public funders, design, equity and inclusion, community support,
and market need.
"Today's
funding will create 775 affordable homes for residents across the city.
These developments are designed to offer residents stable and economically
viable housing options and will assist us to meet our climate and equity
goals," said Sheila Dillon, Chief of Housing. "These
funding awards will support the creation of rental, homeownership and
supportive housing developments, catering to the diverse needs of the
community.“
The
RFP required developers to support and implement the City of Boston’s
equity & inclusion goals. Projects where Black, Indigenous, or People
of Color (BIPOC) represented 30% or more of the development team leadership
received a high preference for funding awards. Development teams where 30%
or more of soft costs, such as architects or engineering, go to Minority or
Women Owned Enterprises (MWBE) subcontractors also received this
preference. Applicants were further required to submit a plan for services
offered to residents in income-restricted homes in multifamily buildings
that will help support the economic mobility of those residents.
"Many
of these projects, which went through the BPDA’s development review
process, provide the opportunity to create more vibrant, mixed-income
neighborhoods," said Chief of Planning Arthur Jemison.
"The Neighborhood Housing Trust is an important tool in our tool box
to ensure that desperately needed affordable housing is properly funded and
can get online in an expedient manner, and I'm excited to be celebrating
some of those projects here today."
All
new construction projects funded in this round will be required to follow
the Zero Emissions Building (ZEB) requirements outlined in the MOH Design Standards.
Proposals include housing opportunities for renters, owners, elderly,
artists, and youth aging out of the foster care system. Many proposals are
located closely to transit and include community space for new tenants and
the broader community.
"Securing
and nurturing affordable housing is the cornerstone for vitality and
inclusivity in Boston’s neighborhoods," said Felicia Jacques,
Chair of the Community Preservation Committee. "With escalating
housing costs, many families and individuals face the reality of being
priced out, leading to heightened displacement and diminishing diversity.
The CPC is committed to channeling resources towards innovative,
climate-resilient, affordable housing endeavors that create secure and
nurturing homes for our community members."
"As
Boston evolves, our commitment to fostering inclusive communities through
accessible housing remains paramount," said Catherine
Hardaway, Chairperson of the Neighborhood Housing Trust.
"Accessible housing not only fosters stability and quality living
spaces for our residents but also serves as a catalyst for economic
progress and societal fairness. Through collaborative efforts with
developers, community stakeholders, and residents, the Neighborhood Housing
Trust remains steadfast in its mission to champion innovative solutions in
affordable housing. By prioritizing investments in accessible housing, we
strengthen our neighborhoods, creating environments where every individual
can thrive and contribute."
"We
are immensely proud to be selected as a recipient of this year's affordable
housing funding awards, furthering our commitment to inclusive and
accessible housing solutions. Norfolk Design & Construction, as a
Minority-Owned and Veteran-Owned enterprise, is honored to contribute to
Mayor Michelle Wu's vision of equitable housing for all,” said Adler
Bernadin, President, Norfolk Design & Construction. “Our Mildred
Ave development project, through the integration of affordable housing and
a community garden, we aim to create a space that nurtures both physical
and social health. We extend our gratitude to Mayor Michelle Wu, the
Mayor's Office of Housing, Neighborhood Housing Trust, and the Community
Preservation Committee for their commitment to addressing the critical need
for inclusive housing solutions in our city."
"East
Boston Community Development Corporation is grateful to the City of Boston
for its unwavering support and commitment to our mission of fostering
vibrant, inclusive communities,” said Sal Colombo, President of
East Boston Community Development Corporation. “With the funding
provided by the city, our project at 2 Shawsheen is poised to make a
meaningful impact in the Orient Heights neighborhood. The construction of
22 new affordable homeownership units will not only address the pressing
need for accessible housing but also cater to the specific needs of
moderate-income families requiring larger living spaces. This collaboration
underscores our shared vision of creating a thriving, equitable
community."
The
awarded projects are found in neighborhoods across the City including:
ALLSTON/BRIGHTON:
·
95 Everett Street is an 88-unit,
transit-oriented development by Pennrose, LLC. Within this development, 73
units will be allocated for households with incomes at or below 80% of the
area median income. Additionally, the building will feature first-floor
space designated for local commercial and/or community cultural uses.
CHARLESTOWN:
·
Independence at the Navy Yard is a
project led by The Planning Office of Urban Affairs and St. Francis House,
which will convert the vacant Constitution Inn into 100 units of affordable
rental housing. Among these, 48 units will be dedicated to providing
supportive housing for women and veterans transitioning out of
homelessness. The remaining 52 units will be available for households with
incomes ranging from 30% to 80% of the area median income.
DORCHESTER:
·
The New North Building on St.
Mary's Campus is a collaboration between St. Mary's Center for Women and
Children and the Planning Office of Urban Affairs and is the first phase of
the St. Mary’s campus revitalization. This phase will replace an outdated shelter
building and parking structure with 71 new apartments. These residences
will be dedicated to families transitioning out of homelessness, with
eligibility for households earning up to 30% of the area median income.
Residents of this building will benefit from enhanced program spaces and
comprehensive supportive services.
·
150 Centre Street at Shawmut
Station, a project by Trinity Financial, will create 72 new affordable
rental homes at a transit-oriented site, adjacent to the Shawmut MBTA
station. The proposed buildings will offer a range of apartment sizes to
accommodate households with incomes spanning from 30% to 120% of the area
median income.
·
247 Hancock Street will be
developed by Arx Urban. The project will convert an underutilized car wash
into a residential complex. This mixed-income, transit-oriented development
will create 47 rental homes. 35 of the homes will be reserved for
households with incomes ranging from 30% to 60% of the area median
income.
·
Hillsboro Live Work Condominiums,
a development by New Atlantic Development in collaboration with the
Humphrey's Street Artist community, will construct 21 new affordable
homeownership units, with a preference for artists. The project will serve
a variety of household sizes with incomes between 80% and 100% of the area
median income.
EAST
BOSTON:
·
2 Shawsheen, a project by the East
Boston Community Development Corporation, will construct 22 new affordable
homeownership units on a vacant site in the Orient Heights neighborhood of
East Boston. These units are specifically designed to accommodate
moderate-income families with larger space requirements, who earn between
70 to 100% of the area median income. A future phase will create rental
housing, contributing to a diverse range of affordable housing options
within this neighborhood.
JAMAICA
PLAIN:
·
The Forbes Building, a project by
the Jamaica Plain Company, contains 147 units of occupied, currently
unrestricted, mixed-income housing. To preserve its affordability,
eliminate its reliance on fossil fuels, and allow it to become passive
house and BERDO compliant, the proposed development will utilize
significant public and private investment.
MATTAPAN:
·
Residences at Blue Hill is a
proposed residential development by Lincoln Avenue Capital. Located on the
corner of Blue Hill Avenue and Culbert Street, this five-story building
will create 41 new income-restricted apartments on a previously vacant
site. The apartments will be accessible to households with incomes ranging
from 30% to 60% of the area median income.
·
Tree House at Olmsted Village will
be constructed on one of the remaining sites at the former Mattapan State
Hospital campus. 2 Life Communities will create 40 apartments for older
adults with incomes between 30% and 60% of the area median income. Additionally,
the development will provide new housing for adoptive and foster families
and apartments for youth transitioning out of the foster care system.
Emphasizing community inclusivity, the project will feature gathering
areas, a play space, and a community kitchen.
·
30-36 Mildred Avenue, a
collaborative effort between Norfolk Design & Construction and the
Trustees of Reservations and the surrounding community, will develop four
city-owned parcels into six new homeownership units and a community garden.
These units are intended for buyers with incomes falling between 80% and
100% of the area median income and will provide an opportunity for
homeownership within the community.
MISSION
HILL:
·
Parcel 25 Phase 3 marks a
significant project by Mission Hill Neighborhood Housing Services,
involving the development of a six-story building with 94 units. Situated
on an MBTA-owned parcel adjacent to the Roxbury Crossing Orange Line stop,
this development plays a crucial role in fulfilling the community's vision
for the revitalization of the neighborhood. The project is designed to
accommodate residents with incomes ranging from 30% to 80% of the area
median income.
ROSLINDALE:
·
4200 Washington Street, a
transit-oriented development centrally located in Roslindale Village, is
set to offer 31 units of mixed-income housing, 27 of units will be
restricted to households earning up to 60% area median income.
Additionally, the development encompasses over 4,000 square feet of
ground-floor retail space and includes a 2,500-square-foot community
theater. Developed by Boston Communities, the project emphasizes the
retention of existing businesses on the site, contributing to the vibrancy
and continuity of the local business community.
ROXBURY:
·
Nehemiah at 157 Blue Hill Avenue
is a collaborative effort between Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church
and Nuestra Communidad. This four-story development will create 26
income-restricted family rental units for households earning up to 60% area
median income. Situated adjacent to an existing church, the residential
building will provide essential housing and feature 2000 sq. ft. of
community space for resident use as well as local events and learning
opportunities.
The
City of Boston sets criteria for funding decisions aimed at advancing its
commitment to equitable mixed-income housing. Proposals were evaluated
based on their ability to, among other things, utilize City-owned land;
target diverse income brackets; minimize construction costs; cater to
specific community needs such as the disabled and veterans; stabilize
existing tenancies; address impending affordability loss; and focus on
neighborhoods with limited income-restricted housing. Priority was given to
large projects with a significant proportion of income-restricted units and
projects in high-cost areas. The criteria are meant to ensure the strategic
allocation of resources towards projects that enhance long-term
affordability and accessibility citywide.
The
allocation of funding for 775 units of affordable housing represents
continued progress towards the Wu administration’s affordable housing
production goal of 4,700 new units by 2025. By the end of 2023, the City
had permitted 2,291 of those units, which represents nearly half of the
target. The newly developed Boston Housing Strategy story
map outlines the City’s housing and development goals and the strategies
through which it is seeking to accomplish them. The Strategy is paired with
a dashboard that outlines the progress made towards achieving each of the
goals during the last two years.
About
the Mayor’s Office of Housing
The
Mayor's Office of Housing (MOH) works with partners to create and preserve
affordable housing and prevent displacement, while supporting at-risk
residents with housing stabilization services. MOH leads Continuum of Care
services for Boston, connecting unsheltered individuals and those
struggling with substance abuse disorder to housing and care. Through the
Boston Home Center, MOH provides funding and technical assistance to boost
homeownership opportunities for BIPOC and lower-income residents, and supports
critical repairs to make Boston’s housing stock climate-ready and fossil
fuel free. As stewards of tax-foreclosed land and buildings, MOH works with
Boston’s residents to create and preserve urban agriculture and open space.
For more information, please visit the MOH website.
About
the Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA)
As
the City of Boston’s urban planning and economic development agency, the
BPDA works in partnership with the community to plan Boston's future while
respecting its past. The agency’s passionate and knowledgeable staff guides
physical, social, and economic change in Boston’s neighborhoods and its
downtown to shape a more prosperous, resilient, and vibrant city for all.
The BPDA also prepares residents for new opportunities through employment
training, human services and job creation. Learn more at bostonplans.org, and follow us on
Twitter @BostonPlans.
About
the Neighborhood Housing Trust Fund (NHT)
The NHT Fund supports
homeownership, rental, cooperative, transitional, and permanent housing
developments. The fund provides financing for projects serving households
earning at or below 50% AMI and gives preference to populations that face
barriers in securing housing, including seniors and people with
disabilities. Funding is awarded as gap financing, and each applicant may
receive no more than $750,000 per project. Priority is given to projects
serving the greatest number of low-income households. The program also has
a preference for projects that are near transit, and include family-sized
units with two or more bedrooms. Boston's Neighborhood Housing Trust Fund
is funded through a commercial project linkage payment fee system.
About
the Community Preservation Act (CPA)
After
Boston voters adopted the CPA in November 2016, the City created a
Community Preservation Fund. This fund is capitalized primarily by a one
percent property tax-based surcharge on residential and business property
tax bills that began in July 2017. The City uses this revenue to fund
initiatives consistent with statewide CPA guidelines: income-restricted
housing, historic preservation, open space, and public recreation. The
funding of any project requires a recommendation from the Community Preservation
Committee and appropriation by the City. For more information, please visit
the Community Preservation webpage.
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