Planning Department advances new affordable housing in Allston, Brighton, Fenway, Mattapan, and South Boston.
Nov 14, 2024
The Planning Department this month recommended approval of six new development projects to the BPDA Board. All were approved. The newly approved development projects represent approximately 259,981 square feet (SF). The new projects will create 273 residential units, including 156 units that are designated income-restricted, and will support approximately 241 construction jobs and seven permanent jobs. These projects will make Boston a more resilient, affordable, and equitable city.
Development Projects
Redevelopment of 20 Charlesgate West in Fenway will modernize current income-restricted housing
Housing: 86 income-restricted units, support services
Jobs: Approximately 61 construction jobs
Community: Preserving access to affordable housing
Sustainability: Preservation of historic building, modernizing and electrifying older fossil fuel mechanical systems
Our Lady’s Guild House lodging house in Kenmore Square will be redeveloped into 86 income-restricted housing units. Current tenants will be helped with relocating during renovation. This redevelopment will help to modernize Our Lady’s Guild House which was originally built in 1899, by making it a more sustainable building. The renovation plan will prioritize energy efficiency measures to comply with BERDO and the specialized energy stretch code requirements adopted by the city, including updating the HVAC system, and replacing the roof and the windows. The project includes approximately 22 Permanent Supportive Housing units, approximately 20 units for extremely low-income households, and approximately 39 units for households earning at or below 60 percent of the Area Median Income. Five units will be set aside at below-market rents for long-term residents. This will be a transit-oriented project as it is in close proximity to the MBTA in Kenmore Square, and includes 88 bike parking spaces on site.
279-283 North Harvard Street project in Allston will create new income-restricted housing for elderly
Housing: 49 income-restricted units for the elderly
Jobs: Approximately 49 construction jobs
Community: Fitness and counseling services, improved public realm with a new crosswalk and shaded plaza, improved connection to Honan-Allston Library
Sustainability: Adaptive reuse of church building, Passive House certified, EV chargers
Located in Allston, this project will preserve the Hill Memorial Baptist Church on site as a resident and community space and build a new four-story building with 49 income-restricted units for the elderly. This project responds to community needs of accessible and affordable housing, identified in the Allston Brighton Needs Assessment. The Assessment was adopted in January, and is informing the current Allston Brighton Community Plan. The project aligns with planning goals by promoting affordable, accessible living options for seniors, allowing them to age in place and remain connected to their communities. Intergenerational communities allow families to stay together, enhance neighborhood diversity and vitality, and contribute to Boston’s long-term vision of an equitable, inclusive, and resilient future. This project will contribute $13,475 to the Boston Transportation Department in support of the City’s bikeshare system.
Project at 434 Washington Street will bring new homes to Brighton
Housing: 18 units, three income-restricted units
Jobs: Retail jobs
Community: Walkable neighborhood
Sustainability: Passive House, new street trees
This project will turn a lot with a vacant single-family home in Brighton into 18 homeownership units, including three income-restricted units. The ground floor of the building will have retail space opening to Washington Street, activating the streetscape and improving the pedestrian experience at this corner. This will be a transit-oriented development as the project is close to multiple bus routes. Bike parking for residents will be available onsite. The project will also contribute ADA compliant ramps to nearby crosswalks, two street trees along Foster Street, and new landscaping. A one-time contribution of $5,387 will be made to the Boston Transportation Department to support the City’s bikeshare program.
49-51 D Street to build new housing in South Boston
Housing: 70 residential units, 12 income-restricted units
Jobs: Retail space, approximately 72 construction jobs
Community: Pocket park, residential plaza, $65k towards community addiction programs
Sustainability: Zero Net Carbon ready, Passive House, LEED Gold
Located in South Boston, this project will build a new nine-story building with 70 new residential units, 12 of which are income-restricted. The building will include bike parking, ground floor commercial space, and a landscaped plaza that is open to the public. This will be a transit-oriented development as it is in close proximity to public transportation, and will include a new Bluebikes dock on site. The review of this project was guided by PLAN: South Boston Dorchester Avenue (PLAN: Dot Ave), adopted in December 2016. PLAN: Dot Ave recommends an increase in housing throughout the study area, including ground floor amenities, which is consistent with this project. New sidewalks, new street trees, and a new pocket park on site will improve the public realm on D Street. As part of the community benefits for this project, it will contribute: $25,000 to the Boston Center for Youth and Families to be used at the BCYF Condon Community Center Council; $65,000 to various South Boston organizations to support programs that help people dealing with addiction; $59,000 to the Boston Transportation Department for the creation of a new crosswalk nearby and the installation of a new Bluebikes dock near the project site; $15,000 to the Boston Public Works Department for beautification efforts in Andrew Square; and $10,000 to the South Boston Special Kids and Young Adults Corporation.
Project at 691-695 Morton Street will bring new housing to Mattapan
Housing: 29 residential units, six income-restricted units
Jobs: Ground floor retail, approximately 23 constructions jobs
Community: Utilizing new Squares + Streets planning
Sustainability: Solar panels on roof, new trees and shrubs, shared vehicles on site, widened sidewalks
Located in Mattapan, this project will convert what is currently vacant land into 29 new housing units, six of which will be income-restricted, within a six-story building. The new development will also include retail space. The units will be a mix of studios, one-, two-, and three-bedrooms. This project aligns with the intention of Squares + Streets zoning districts, which support a mix of uses and infill development opportunities. Community benefits from this project will include improvements to the public realm with new street trees, bike racks, and pedestrian safety improvements. In addition, the project will contribute $29,000 to the Boston Parks and Recreation Department in support of open space, and $8,414 to the Boston Transportation Department in support of the bikeshare system.
944 Saratoga Street project to build new homes in East Boston
Housing: 21 residential units
Jobs: Approximately 22 construction jobs
Community: Public realm improvements, bikeshare contribution
Sustainability: All-electric, Passive House, preservation of existing trees
This project will convert a vacant lot in East Boston into a four-story building with 21 residential units. These will be a mix of studios, one-, and two-bedroom units. This project is compliant with PLAN: East Boston and the corresponding zoning. The project will deliver public realm improvements to the existing Saratoga Street crosswalk and improve safety and access to Noyes Playground, both specifically called for in PLAN: East Boston. This project will contribute $5,775 to the Boston Transportation Department in support of the City’s bikeshare system.
In addition to these projects, the board approved: