Posted on January 2, 2014
BOSTON, Jan. 2, 2014 --- In one of his last appearances as the leader of the City of Boston, Mayor Thomas Menino joined Cardinal Sean O’Malley to mark the redevelopment of the former St. Kevin’s Parish in Upham’s Corner into 80 units of affordable rental housing, 20 of which will be set aside for formerly homeless families.
“This is what it’s all about, taking a property that was vacant, turning it into affordable homes and giving people a chance for a better life,” said Mayor Menino at groundbreaking ceremonies held on Dec. 30.
Located on a 2.63 acre site bounded by Davern Ave., Bird Street, Virginia St. and Columbia Road, the St. Kevin’s site will soon feature a new five-story building with 47 units and 1,000 square feet of community space on the part of the property where the soon-to-be-razed St. Kevin’s School now sits. The convent building will also be torn down to make way for a smaller building with 12 units. A third building at 516 Columbia Road will be remodeled into 21 apartments. A third story will be added to this building.
"The need (for this housing) is very great,” said Cardinal O’Malley. “Throughout the archdiocese we hear of experiences that are becoming all too common: families made homeless when they lost their house to foreclosure; families paying high rents for apartments that are in poor condition or are far from good schools and good jobs; working people who cannot afford to rent an apartment; elderly residents on fixed incomes who have to choose between paying their rent and buying their prescriptions and food. The development of affordable housing provides a sustainable response to these needs while making an important contribution to the economic and social life of the community.“
The transformation of the St. Kevin’s campus is a collaboration of the Planning Office for Urban Affairs (POUA), the St. Mary’s Center for Women & Children, the Holy Family Parish, and city, state and private funders. Construction will begin in February and the project is scheduled for completion in July 2015.
The connection between the development and the St. Mary’s Center is key as the center will be providing support services to families transitioning from homelessness into the 20 units set aside for homeless families. “These units are crucial to alleviating the problem of homelessness and the some 2,000 people that are currently living in shelters,” said POUA President Lisa Alberghini, who served as master of ceremonies.
The $36 million redevelopment is being funded primarily with federal and state low-income housing tax credits awarded by the state Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). The state is providing additional subsidies through several housing programs, including the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, the Housing Stabilization Fund, the Housing Innovations Fund and the Commercial Area Transit Node Program, which provides funds for housing near public transit.
Bank of America is providing construction financing and is also the tax credit investor. The Massachusetts Housing Partnership (MHP) is using its bank-funded loan pool to provide a $2.2 million long-term financing commitment. Over the past 20 years, MHP has invested almost $250 million to support 120 developments with 5,725 apartment homes in Boston. The City of Boston weighed in with over $4.6 million in federal HOME and other funds.
“We're standing here today, as we have so many times over the past 20 years in Boston, for one reason - will,” said Judy Jacobson, MHP’s deputy director. “Will and conviction and commitment. These are the guiding principles of the Menino administration that those of us at MHP will remember.”
For more information about this development and MHP’s financing programs, contact MHP Senior Loan Officer Megan Mulcahy at 617-330-9944 x269 or mmulcahy@mhp.net.