Boston’s affordable housing investment by the numbers

We’re breaking down Mayor Wu’s plan for 802 units in eight neighborhoods.

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The 17 projects will help open new doors for Bostonians.

Photo by @bostonomics

The possibility of homeownership for Bostonians just moved closer.

Yesterday, Mayor Wu and City of Boston officials recommended investing $67 million to create and preserve 800+ income-restricted housing units across eight neighborhoods. These mixed-income housing units include rental housing and new homeownership opportunities for low- and moderate-income residents.

Here’s what we know about the projects:

  • 17 total proposals have been approved to bring 802 units to the city.
  • 160 units will be income-restricted for seniors.
  • All projects meet the standard for zero emissions buildings.

Where did the funding come from?

Here are a few neighborhoods receiving funding:

  • Chinatown$11.8 million to create 100+ units on city property and 17,700 sqft will be used to build a Chinatown branch of the Boston Public Library.
  • Dorchester$3.9 million to renovate the historic Dorchester Saving Bank in Uphams Corner and build the mixed-use Columbia Crossing development, which will create 48 apartments and work-live spaces for artists. Also, $5 million will transform five vacant City-owned parcels into 12 rental units and 18 homeownership opportunities.
  • Jamaica Plain$6.2 million to redevelop the former Blessed Sacrament Church and create 55 mixed-income units of rental housing and a new performance space for the Hyde Square Task Force Creative Arts Program + $5.2 million for a new six-story, income-restricted building with 65 units.
  • Mattapan$6 million for the Brooke House at Olmsted Village development, a 125-unit mixed-use building, a child care center, a health care center, a community space, and a small convenience store.
  • Roxbury$6.1 million to build new housing and meeting space for the Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts.
  • South Boston$5.1 million to fund 36 senior rental units + create new program spaces for the Paraclete Center, allowing the organization to continue offering after-school programs.
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Jess is based in Boston, MA and when she isn’t creating content, you’ll find her at one of the local breweries, walking her dogs on the Esplanade, or attending a concert. After graduating from the University of Florida, she moved to Columbia, SC where she worked at various nonprofit organizations + was a City Editor for COLAtoday before relocating to launch BOStoday in 2021.