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Contact: Lydia Agro, Boston Housing Authority, 617-988-4109
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Mayor Thomas M. Menino announced today the transfer of 44 units of housing to a group of local community development corporations that will redevelop the units to be sold or rented as affordable housing. Mayor Menino also released a list of federal and state funding priorities during his announcement.
The list of federal and state funding priorities was jointly released by Mayor Menino, Ellen Feingold of the Citizens Housing and Planning Association, Tom Connelly of the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials and public housing resident leaders from the City of Boston. The group is calling on state and federal legislators to make affordable housing a priority by providing funding and support for increased affordable housing initiatives.
“This important occasion represents the kinds of initiatives that are possible when the federal and state governments work as full partners with us on the creation of affordable housing opportunities for the people of Boston,” said Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino. “This initiative offers an opportunity for public housing residents to buy the homes that they have lived in for many years.”
In a unique arrangement that brings together a number of nonprofit development corporations and several city departments, this initiative proves what can be done in the spirit of cooperation and collaboration to create more affordable housing opportunities for Boston residents.
Four CDCs will renovate 44 units which will either remain as affordable rental housing units or be made available as affordable first time homebuyer properties. The 44 units consist of 21 duplex style houses and 2 single-family homes on scattered sites in Dorchester and Roxbury. Current residents will be able to remain as renters through the use of Section 8 Vouchers supplied by the BHA. In addition, current residents are encouraged to participate in the first time homebuyer initiative and purchase the properties they have been renting from the BHA. Vacant units will be available to the community at large for purchase as well.
“This is an exciting initiative that groups together four CDCs that will work collaboratively to use their strength and experiences to recover affordable units within the neighborhoods they serve,” said BHA Administrator Sandra B. Henriquez. “We are very pleased to be working on this important collaboration with them.”
The state and federal funding priorities that Mayor Menino is calling for include additional operating subsidies for public housing, additional operating support for CDCs across the state, support for the Soft Second Homeownership Program, establishment of a Housing Trust Fund, an increase in the Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program, ongoing support for the HOPE VI program and an increase to existing CDBG and HOME Programs. (See attached list of priorities.)
“These funding initiatives will insure that the federal and state governments get back in the affordable housing business. The problem cannot be solved without their active support,” added Mayor Menino.
The four CDCs that will renovate the BHA properties are Nuestra Comunidad Development Corporation, Urban Edge Housing Corporation, New Vision/Quincy Geneva Housing Corporation and the Codman Square Neighborhood Development Corporation. The BHA issued a Request For Proposals to select a developer for the properties last year and chose the CDCs to redevelop the properties as a result of that process.
Also instrumental in this collaboration is the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), which played an essential role in facilitating the CDCs joint proposal to redevelop the properties. This is an especially important collaborative which brings four CDCs, a public housing authority and city resources together to work toward a common goal. With the tight housing market, this is yet another creative way that affordable housing units can be maintained and created. LISC is coordinating the transfer of the properties and providing financial and technical assistance to the CDCs.
“The arrangement with the CDCs represents a natural and welcome progression for these houses,” said Mathew Thall, Boston LISC’s senior program director. “They were originally designed to fit in with other housing in the neighborhoods and the transition to homeownership will allow them to continue doing that. And the CDCs, with their unique understanding of community challenges and opportunities, are the groups best equipped to make it happen.”
Additional funding of approximately $1.6 million is being provided by the city’s Department of Neighborhood Development. The CDCs have submitted an application for funding from the State’s Department of Housing and Community Development. The Boston Community Loan Fund is contributing to this project as well.
The BHA chose to dispose of these properties due to the critical need for housing in the City and the lack of resources available to the BHA to renovate the units. Therefore, the BHA sought approval from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to engage in a disposition process that would keep the units affordable and create first time homeownership opportunities for residents of public housing and the community.
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