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 and neighborhood revitalization. The Planning Office is responsible for developing over 3,000 units of housing to date, channeling over $650 million of investment into neighborhoods and towns throughout metropolitan Boston.
Our Director of Real Estate, Shaina Korman-Houston, spoke in March at Citizens' Housing and Planning Association (CHAPA)’s panel on the proposed Yes in God’s Backyard (YIGBY) legislation, which would allow for as-of-right zoning for housing on faith-based and owned parcels. She joined JALSA, The Lynch Foundation, and Father Bill's & MainSpring to discuss the importance of passing this legislation. Click on the link here to email your legislators!
Yes in God’s Backyard Legislation - CHAPA Forum - FULL STORY
Photo Credit: Patriots Foundation
This December, we got the chance to welcome residents into their new, stable, affordable homes in Mattapan, with the New England Patriots Foundation! Thanks to the Foundation's generous support through their Community Captains program, we were able to welcome residents into their new homes with gift boxes and fleece blankets.
POUA and Patriots Foundation Welcome Residents! - FULL STORY
Paul Burton and CBS spoke with POUA President Bill Grogan, and highlighted our affordable housing development work to convert vacant Archdiocesan properties into stable and affordable homes. Read more here.
CBS News Covers Vacant Churches Converting to Affordable Housing - FULL STORY
We are incredibly grateful to be included in this year's Community Captains cohort, through the support of The New England Patriots Foundation and Bank of America! The program provides $50,000 to POUA, as well as two years of trainings, networking, in-kind donations, volunteer opportunities, and site visits from the Foundation and the Bank. We're eternally grateful for our relationship with Bank of America, and for all of Erin Sutherland and Brittney Macomber's support and advocacy of our work and our mission. Thank you for having us out to Gillette Stadium to kick off the program amongst our peer organizations! Read more about the program here.
POUA Chosen as Community Captain by Patriots Foundation & Bank of America! - FULL STORY
POUA mourns the loss of Pope Francis, an ardent social justice advocate and ally. At a gathering in 2015 in the midst of folks experiencing homelessness and poverty, Pope Francis remarked, “We can find no social or moral justification, no justification whatsoever, for lack of housing.” We at POUA completely agree. We are saddened by this immense loss for the Catholic community and the world and will continue to be inspired by the legacy of his leadership, values and life’s work.