September 24, 2024
ST. FRANCIS HOUSE, THE PLANNING OFFICE FOR URBAN AFFAIRS, LT. GOVERNOR KIM DRISCOLL, AND CITY OF BOSTON OFFICIALS CELEBRATE CONSTRUCTION OF 19-STORY RESIDENTIAL TOWER WITH 126 MIXED-INCOME RENTAL UNITS ON LAGRANGE STREET IN DOWNTOWN BOSTON
70 of the units in the building will be set-aside as permanent supportive housing for those experiencing homelessness
Photo by Andy Ryan
Amid an ongoing affordable housing shortage in Boston, St. Francis House (SFH) and the Planning Office for Urban Affairs (POUA) are pleased to announce construction of a new 19-story residential tower at 41 LaGrange Street, adjacent to SFH’s administrative building in downtown Boston. The new building will provide much-needed permanent supportive housing for households coming out of homelessness in an integrated, mixed-income development in downtown Boston.
“As the CEO of our city’s largest day shelter for homeless adults, every day I witness firsthand the harsh realities of Boston’s housing crisis,” said Karen LaFrazia, SFH’s President and CEO. “The surge in homelessness in our region is a consequence of multiple compounding factors, including soaring rents and a severe shortage of affordable housing. St. Francis House is pleased to be partnering with POUA to alleviate some of the strain by providing much-needed affordable housing in downtown Boston.”
“For more than 50 years, the Planning Office for Urban Affairs has been carrying out its mission to create safe and affordable housing for all those who are housing deprived,” said Bill Grogan, president of POUA. “We look forward to adding the units in the tower at 41 LaGrange Street to the nearly 3,000 units of housing POUA has had the honor to develop thus far. We’re grateful to St. Francis House for their partnership in this exciting project in thriving downtown Boston.”
41 LaGrange Street will comprise studio, one- and two-bedroom units. The unit mix will consist of 68 studios, 21 one-bedroom units and 37 two-bedroom units. Seventy units will be set-aside as permanent supportive housing for those experiencing homelessness. The residents of these units will benefit from case management and supportive services provided by St. Francis House. The balance of the 56 units will be targeted to workforce and middle-income households, thereby creating an integrated and diverse community. These remaining units will be restricted to occupants making less than 30% of area median income (“AMI”); two units will be leased at less than 50% AMI; 19 units will be leased at less than 60% AMI; and 35 units will be leased at less than 80% AMI.
Seán P. O’Malley OFM Cap added, “Respect for the dignity of all people includes doing all possible to provide every person a safe home. Too many members of our community are either homeless or on the verge of homelessness for reasons that include the rising cost of housing in Boston. The 41 LaGrange St groundbreaking gives us all hope that working together, more unhoused men and women will have access to a new apartment and the services they need to make this housing a stable home.”
“Housing is our administration’s top priority because we know that across Massachusetts, residents are struggling to find and stay in homes they can afford,” said Lieutenant Governor Driscoll. “That’s why we’ve passed the Affordable Homes Act into law to create thousands of new units, and why we continue to push for equitable and affordable housing policy. I’m excited to be at LaGrange Street today to celebrate what will be an incredible new home for residents experiencing homelessness.”
“Supportive housing is a powerful force to lift up our most vulnerable residents and give them the tools they need to not just survive but to thrive,” said Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Ed Augustus. “41 LaGrange will do that while also providing much-needed workforce and middle-income apartments for downtown Boston. This mixed-income community will contribute to this vibrant and growing neighborhood. The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities is proud to support St. Francis House and the Planning Office for Urban Affairs on creating a supportive, accessible and equitable housing in the heart of Boston.”
This project was made possible with funding from the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities; MassHousing Finance Agency; Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation; the City of Boston’s Mayor’s Office of Housing, and Neighborhood Housing Trust; Boston Housing Authority; Bank of America; and The Life Initiative.
“Today’s groundbreaking marks a significant milestone in our commitment to making Boston a home for everyone,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “This new development will provide much-needed affordable housing in the heart of our city, ensuring that some of our lowest-income residents have access to safe, stable, and affordable homes. We’re grateful for the partnership of MassHousing, St. Francis House, and the Planning Office for Urban Affairs in making this project a reality.”
“MassHousing is thrilled to be part of this development team that is going to bring 126 new, deeply affordable apartment homes to Chinatown,” said MassHousing CEO Chrystal Kornegay. “The residents of this new rental community will not only have stability in a neighborhood with very high housing costs, but they will also have access to multiple options of public transportation and economic opportunity in the heart of the city.”
“Bank of America is proud to be help POUA finance this transformative mixed-income project that provides housing stability for vulnerable residents as well as community revitalization in downtown Boston,” said Maurice Coleman, Community Development Banking Executive at Bank of America. “Affordable housing helps stabilize local neighborhoods, improves community infrastructure and creates opportunities for new hopes and dreams.”
