The mission of the Planning Office, a non-profit housing developer affiliated with the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston, is to serve as a catalyst for social justice through its work in housing development, neighborhood revitalization and affordable housing advocacy. The Planning Office is responsible for the development of over 2,400 units of housing to date, which has impacted the lives of over 10,000 people and channeled over $400 million of investment into neighborhoods and towns throughout metropolitan Boston.
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Vote for The St. Aidan:
We've learned recently that The St. Aidan is a finalist for the Readers' Choice Award for the Best New Affordable Development for Families in the nation by Affordable Housing Finance Magazine. Now we need your support! If you are a subscriber - please visit their ballot page, enter the Affordable Housing Finance subscriber number from the address block of your magazine and vote for The St. Aidan. If you need help locating your subscriber number, call 888-269-8410. If you are not a subscriber, click here to sign up, the magazine is free and is a great resource. Please be sure and vote by Friday, August 13 and please forward this message to colleagues and friends on your contact list. Thanks for your support!
St. Aidan Dedication Celebrates Project's Completion
Cardinal Sean O'Malley, Representative Barney Frank, the Town of Brookline, Gov. Deval Patrick's office, parishioners from St. Mary's in Brookline, Bank of America and many lenders, supporters and new residents gathered on Thursday, June 3 to celebrate the successful completion of the St. Aidan Development in Brookline. The St. Aidan is now home to families in 59 units of mixed-income housing. There were 500 applications for the lottery of 20 units at the St. Aidan, which is a sign of how badly needed this type of housing is in Brookline. The development features three new buildings and preserved the historic Church where President John F. Kennedy was baptized, as well as a magnificent 150-year old Copper Beech tree that is a landmark in the neighborhood. St. Aidan was also recently honored with a Preservation Award from the Town of Brookline, and by a visit from a group of real estate professionals from around the country as part of the 2010 ULI Real Estate Summit. See the Brookline Tab's slideshow here.
Action on Foreclosure Needed at the State House
POUA joins with a broad coalition of housing advocates, attorneys and community organizations, as a part of the Coalition for Occupied Homes in Foreclosure (COHiF), to applaud the Massachusetts Senate for taking action last week to pass Senate Bill 2407, An Act to Stabilize Neighborhoods, which gives banks more incentive to modify mortgages and engage in mediation with homeowners, increases protections for tenants in foreclosed properties, and helps local governments and non-profits address vacant property. It is urgent the House take up this same legislation as soon as possible. Call your State Representative to ask him or her to support this legislation. POUA continues to co-host meetings of COHiF with Boston Community Capital, and POUA's President authored Op-Ed pieces with Sean Caron from CHAPA, which ran in local papers in late January, urging legislators to act now. Read the piece in the MetroWest Daily News.
The Hayes at Railroad Lottery Winners
Forty-eight lucky people won the opportunity to qualify for an apartment at the Hayes at Railroad Square at a lottery held May 25. In fact, the first gentleman to arrive was the first person whose name was drawn. Management Agent Peabody Properties has received hundreds of applications for the new apartments to date. New residents will begin moving in this August. A stone's throw from the Haverhill commuter line station and situated within an historic mill district undergoing substantial redevelopment, the 57 spacious and unique affordable one and two-bedroom apartments at The Hayes will allow excellent access to transportation and amenities in the downtown area. The project was the first 40R development permitted in a City in Massachusetts, and has brought over 150 construction jobs to the Merrimack Valley. Call 888-744-2787 or visit www.hayesapts.com for more information.
Join Us in Saving Chapter 40B, the Affordable Housing Law
The Planning Office is part of a state-wide coalition to fight the repeal of the Massachusetts affordable housing law, 40B, which will be on the ballot this November. The Planning Office built the very first Chapter 40B development in the Commonwealth in Beverly, and has also developed under 40B in Lexington, North Andover, Scituate, Watertown, Brookline, Waltham and Billerica. Over the years, the Planning Office has completed over 600 units of housing in eight developments using a comprehensive permit under Chapter 40B. The Planning Office believes it would be irresponsible to repeal this law, concentrating the poor and minorities in low-income communities and limiting new housing construction that is vital to Massachusetts' economic growth and prosperity. As Cardinal Sean O'Malley wrote in his February 27th blog, "It will be very important that we preserve this critical housing tool." Read more here.
Rollins Square Named Among Greenest in Boston
Rollins Square, POUA's 184-unit mixed-income, mixed-use development in Boston's South End, was honored with a Mayor's Green Award on April 29 for its work on energy efficiency, green energy and waste reduction. It was also recently visited by an Arab-Israeli delegation studying innovative housing models.
POUA Chosen to Redevelop Former St. Kevin's Parish Property
The Planning Office for Urban Affairs is proud to announce the decision of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston to convey the 2.7-acre St. Kevin's School Campus on Columbia Road in Dorchester to a partnership among our Office and two local Catholic ministries, St. Mary's Women and Children's Center (SMWCC) and Holy Family Parish for redevelopment as housing. In announcing the decision, Cardinal Sean O'Malley said "this collaboration in the Uphams Corner section of Dorchester is a sign of the Church's commitment to the community and our intention to maintain a long-term presence there." The partners look forward to working with the community on the development plan for the site, which will reconnect the now-vacant property to the surrounding area and ensure its vitality for years to come. The investment at St. Kevin's will complement other new investments in the neighborhood, and has a strong foundation in the planning work that many partners have undertaken. The partnership also presents a tremendous opportunity to provide apartments within the development for single mothers working toward economic independence, who will be close to the childcare, educational and job training support at St. Mary's, but integrated into the community in homes they could not otherwise afford.
Upton Street Scheduled to Begin Construction
The Planning Office for Urban Affairs is partnering with Pine Street Inn to convert an existing single-room occupancy property in the South End into 19 permanently affordable apartments for formerly homeless individuals. This development, strongly supported by the City of Boston and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, ensures that the properties are preserved over the long-term for affordable housing for formerly homeless individuals who are able to live independently. Construction is expected to begin in the summer of 2010. Northeast Interiors Construction is the general contractor, Mostue & Associates Architects, Inc. is the architect, Bank of America is the construction lender and the Pine Street Inn will provide management and supportive services to residents.
The mission of the Planning Office for Urban Affairs, Inc. (POUA) is to serve as a catalyst for social justice through its work in housing development, neighborhood revitalization and affordable housing advocacy. In partnership with local municipalities and business leaders, POUA works to address the significant need for affordable rental and homeownership opportunities in the region by creating culturally, economically and socially diverse residential communities where people of modest means can live and prosper. POUA is also committed to advancing the public dialogue about the importance to both individuals, and to the economic and social health of the Commonwealth and the Country, of creating high quality affordable housing for all residents. As a result, POUA is actively engaged in promoting public policies, legislation and regulations at the State and Federal level that support the development of affordable and mixed-income housing in Massachusetts and across the nation.
The Planning Office for Urban Affairs takes its directive from the U.S. Catholic Conference's Pastoral Letter, "The Right to a Decent Home," which calls the Catholic community to " act effectively to meet the needs of those who lack adequate housing, to reflect on our own responsibilities and opportunities for action and to seek to have a qualitative impact on the problem of housing in our society by attempting to change the system and the policies that result in housing deprivation."
St. Aidan Dedication Celebrates Project's CompletionCardinal Sean O'Malley, Representative Barney Frank, the Town of Brookline, Gov. Deval Patrick's office, parishioners from St. Mary's in Brookline, Bank of America and many lenders, supporters and new residents gathered on Thursday, June 3 to celebrate the successful completion of the St. Aidan Development in Brookline. The St. Aidan is now home to families in 59 units of mixed-income housing. There were 500 applications for the lottery of 20 units at the St. Aidan, which is a sign of how badly needed this type of housing is in Brookline. The development features three new buildings and preserved the historic Church where President John F. Kennedy was baptized, as well as a magnificent 150-year old Copper Beech tree that is a landmark in the neighborhood. St. Aidan was also recently honored with a Preservation Award from the Town of Brookline, and by a visit from a group of real estate professionals from around the country as part of the 2010 ULI Real Estate Summit. See the Brookline Tab's slideshow here.
Action on Foreclosure Needed at the State House
POUA joins with a broad coalition of housing advocates, attorneys and community organizations, as a part of the Coalition for Occupied Homes in Foreclosure (COHiF), to applaud the Massachusetts Senate for taking action last week to pass Senate Bill 2407, An Act to Stabilize Neighborhoods, which gives banks more incentive to modify mortgages and engage in mediation with homeowners, increases protections for tenants in foreclosed properties, and helps local governments and non-profits address vacant property. It is urgent the House take up this same legislation as soon as possible. Call your State Representative to ask him or her to support this legislation. POUA continues to co-host meetings of COHiF with Boston Community Capital, and POUA's President authored Op-Ed pieces with Sean Caron from CHAPA, which ran in local papers in late January, urging legislators to act now. Read the piece in the MetroWest Daily News.
The Hayes at Railroad Lottery Winners
Forty-eight lucky people won the opportunity to qualify for an apartment at the Hayes at Railroad Square at a lottery held May 25. In fact, the first gentleman to arrive was the first person whose name was drawn. Management Agent Peabody Properties has received hundreds of applications for the new apartments to date. New residents will begin moving in this August. A stone's throw from the Haverhill commuter line station and situated within an historic mill district undergoing substantial redevelopment, the 57 spacious and unique affordable one and two-bedroom apartments at The Hayes will allow excellent access to transportation and amenities in the downtown area. The project was the first 40R development permitted in a City in Massachusetts, and has brought over 150 construction jobs to the Merrimack Valley. Call 888-744-2787 or visit www.hayesapts.com for more information.
Join Us in Saving Chapter 40B, the Affordable Housing Law
The Planning Office is part of a state-wide coalition to fight the repeal of the Massachusetts affordable housing law, 40B, which will be on the ballot this November. The Planning Office built the very first Chapter 40B development in the Commonwealth in Beverly, and has also developed under 40B in Lexington, North Andover, Scituate, Watertown, Brookline, Waltham and Billerica. Over the years, the Planning Office has completed over 600 units of housing in eight developments using a comprehensive permit under Chapter 40B. The Planning Office believes it would be irresponsible to repeal this law, concentrating the poor and minorities in low-income communities and limiting new housing construction that is vital to Massachusetts' economic growth and prosperity. As Cardinal Sean O'Malley wrote in his February 27th blog, "It will be very important that we preserve this critical housing tool." Read more here.
Rollins Square Named Among Greenest in Boston
Rollins Square, POUA's 184-unit mixed-income, mixed-use development in Boston's South End, was honored with a Mayor's Green Award on April 29 for its work on energy efficiency, green energy and waste reduction. It was also recently visited by an Arab-Israeli delegation studying innovative housing models.
POUA Chosen to Redevelop Former St. Kevin's Parish Property
The Planning Office for Urban Affairs is proud to announce the decision of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston to convey the 2.7-acre St. Kevin's School Campus on Columbia Road in Dorchester to a partnership among our Office and two local Catholic ministries, St. Mary's Women and Children's Center (SMWCC) and Holy Family Parish for redevelopment as housing. In announcing the decision, Cardinal Sean O'Malley said "this collaboration in the Uphams Corner section of Dorchester is a sign of the Church's commitment to the community and our intention to maintain a long-term presence there." The partners look forward to working with the community on the development plan for the site, which will reconnect the now-vacant property to the surrounding area and ensure its vitality for years to come. The investment at St. Kevin's will complement other new investments in the neighborhood, and has a strong foundation in the planning work that many partners have undertaken. The partnership also presents a tremendous opportunity to provide apartments within the development for single mothers working toward economic independence, who will be close to the childcare, educational and job training support at St. Mary's, but integrated into the community in homes they could not otherwise afford.
Upton Street Scheduled to Begin Construction
The Planning Office for Urban Affairs is partnering with Pine Street Inn to convert an existing single-room occupancy property in the South End into 19 permanently affordable apartments for formerly homeless individuals. This development, strongly supported by the City of Boston and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, ensures that the properties are preserved over the long-term for affordable housing for formerly homeless individuals who are able to live independently. Construction is expected to begin in the summer of 2010. Northeast Interiors Construction is the general contractor, Mostue & Associates Architects, Inc. is the architect, Bank of America is the construction lender and the Pine Street Inn will provide management and supportive services to residents.
The mission of the Planning Office for Urban Affairs, Inc. (POUA) is to serve as a catalyst for social justice through its work in housing development, neighborhood revitalization and affordable housing advocacy. In partnership with local municipalities and business leaders, POUA works to address the significant need for affordable rental and homeownership opportunities in the region by creating culturally, economically and socially diverse residential communities where people of modest means can live and prosper. POUA is also committed to advancing the public dialogue about the importance to both individuals, and to the economic and social health of the Commonwealth and the Country, of creating high quality affordable housing for all residents. As a result, POUA is actively engaged in promoting public policies, legislation and regulations at the State and Federal level that support the development of affordable and mixed-income housing in Massachusetts and across the nation.
The Planning Office for Urban Affairs takes its directive from the U.S. Catholic Conference's Pastoral Letter, "The Right to a Decent Home," which calls the Catholic community to " act effectively to meet the needs of those who lack adequate housing, to reflect on our own responsibilities and opportunities for action and to seek to have a qualitative impact on the problem of housing in our society by attempting to change the system and the policies that result in housing deprivation."