Research & Innovations

From Boston Housing Authority's press release:

 March 27, 2024 - Today, Mayor Michelle Wu joined Boston Housing Authority Administrator Kenzie Bok to welcome home the new residents and celebrate the opening of 34 East Springfield Street, a 100% affordable veteran housing community located in the heart of Boston’s South End neighborhood. The house warming celebration marks the transformation of a formerly vacant, four-unit Boston Housing Authority Public Housing property into five deeply affordable, one-bedroom apartments for formerly homeless veterans.

"Today, we’re here to celebrate a win for Boston’s homeless veterans, and to welcome five new residents into their homes,” said BHA Administrator Kenzie Bok. “This project restores a historic South End Brownstone and gives its residents the housing stability and supportive services that they need to thrive here in Boston."

"As part of an effort to ensure that all of our veterans are stably housed, the Mayor’s Office of Housing was pleased to partner with the Boston Housing Authority and MPZ Development, on the redevelopment of 34 East Springfield Street,” said Sheila Dillon, Boston's Chief of Housing. “We want to extend a warm welcome to the veterans who are moving into these beautiful South End homes."

In May of 2020, affordable housing developer MPZ Development LLC (MPZ) was selected by the Boston Housing Authority to lead the redevelopment of 34 East Springfield Street. MPZ was tasked with balancing the principles of affordability, historic preservation, and accessibility through the design, development and construction process.

34 East Springfield is a 150-year-old brick rowhouse acquired by the Boston Housing Authority as Federal Public Housing in the 1980s and operated as public housing until a fire fifteen years ago.

“Today’s grand opening of 34 East Springfield St. is a major achievement and represents a critical commitment to building affordable housing for veterans at risk of homelessness,” said Mathieu Zahler, Principal of MPZ Development LLC. “Through great collaboration, we have transformed a once vacant and blighted building into a place where its residents can not only live but thrive. I’m thrilled to deliver this project with our many project partners to the South End neighborhood and look forward to seeing the impact it makes within the community."

34 East Springfield Street was funded through a mix of state, local, and private funding sources, including HOME funding through The City of Boston Mayor’s Office of Housing. Other funders include the Neighborhood Housing Trust, The Boston Housing Authority and Dedham Institution for Savings and the purchase of State and Federal Historic Tax Credits by members of the Grossman Family. The units will be permanently affordable thanks to the HUD Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) Program which provides Project Based Vouchers for all five apartments, as well as ongoing supportive services for the residents.

34 East Springfield Street’s residents enjoy immediate proximity and access to a wide array of community services including Boston Medical Center and other healthcare facilities, the MBTA Silver Line and nearby grocery and dining options.

“I am blessed to be a part of this opportunity that is giving me the platform to affordably live comfortably in a community alongside other veterans,” said Anthony Magnole, a resident at 34 East Springfield St. “I’m incredibly grateful to leverage this chance to progress towards my goals."

The redevelopment was supported by the Worcester Square Area Neighborhood Association and the project abutters. The project abutters at 32 East Springfield Street collaborated closely with MPZ, with all three condo owners in the building agreeing to temporarily relocate for a period of time and to reconstruct 32 East Springfield’s façade.

MPZ worked with The Narrow Gate Architecture, Epsilon Associates and ZVI Construction to meticulously preserve and restore important historic features of this mid-19th century Italianate-style rowhouse, which is included in the South End National Historic District. Simultaneously, MPZ made necessary and important modernization and accessibility updates to 34 East Springfield Street, allowing its veteran residents to live comfortably and sustainably in the 100% electric, solar-ready building with green upgrades included throughout.

“This affordable housing development for veterans in the South End meets a critical need,” said Doug Shaw, Executive Vice President & Senior Lending Officer at Dedham Savings. “As a community bank, Dedham Savings is proud to support such a project that further strengthens the local community."

“We’re excited to see this vacant space come to life in such a meaningful way and are pleased to fund such an important project for the City of Boston,” said Martin Connors, First Vice President, Commercial Real Estate Lending at Dedham Savings.

“The Grossman Family was thrilled to be a small part of this wonderful project which has restored beauty to a historic building, provided affordable homes for our valued Veterans, and proved that hard work by a passionate and committed developer who overcame many unanticipated challenges is well worth the time and effort required for the success of this project,” said Louis Grossman, a historic tax credit investor.

“Collaborations like this between HUD, VA, the City of Boston and private sector partners like MPZ Development are helping ensure Veterans have a safe place to call home,” said Vincent Ng, director of VA Boston Healthcare System. “That foundation combined with ongoing support from HUD-VASH staff can have a life-changing and lasting impact on Veterans’ lives.”

From Affirmed Housing's press release:

Affirmed Housing, a leading provider of affordable, multifamily housing throughout California, announces the completion of 79 homes at Vitalia, a new, affordable and supportive housing development located at 3100 S. Bascom Avenue in San Jose’s Cambrian neighborhood. A grand opening ceremony was held on March 29 to mark this achievement, with Mayor Matt Mahan, Councilmember Pam Foley, Supervisor Susan Ellenberg and Supervisor Sylvia Arenas in attendance.

“Oftentimes we forget that some of the residents who qualify for affordable housing are our students, teachers, seniors on fixed incomes, veterans, and those who were formerly unhoused,” said Councilmember Foley. “Access to affordable housing is a significant step in the right direction toward ensuring that these individuals and many others have safe, stable options to call home. This new housing community is a welcoming, vibrant space and is a testament to the positive changes we see happening in our community.”

“Vitalia is the foundation for a new beginning and a brighter future for its residents, and it raises the bar of what it means to develop meaningful housing resources for those who have the biggest need,” said Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors President Susan Ellenberg. “Ensuring housing security is the best investment we can make for the people of Santa Clara. This sustainably minded project not only puts a roof over many of our hard-working citizens, but it also provides supportive services and care to help them gain stability and live to their fullest potential.”

Vitalia is a five-story, GreenPoint Rated Platinum development delivering a mixture of studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom new homes for low-income and formerly unhoused families and individuals. Nearly half are reserved for supportive housing with the remaining homes designated for households earning up to 60 percent of the County Area Median Income (AMI).

“Vitalia prioritizes the health and well-being of the County’s most vulnerable populations, who deserve to live with dignity. More than just having a roof over their heads, they deserve a safe, clean place that they can be proud to call home and where they can thrive,” said Rob Wilkins, Affirmed Housing’s Vice President of Northern California. “We are proud to have partnered with the County, City, and VA to bring this project to fruition.”

Vitalia’s design prioritizes residents’ long-term health and independent living. The all-electric building incorporates several sustainable elements, such as Energy Star appliances and rooftop solar panels. Security features, including surveillance cameras and onsite management, are integrated into the development to help ensure the health and safety of its tenants. Vitalia’s onsite amenities include an interior courtyard, a community and computer room, a large outdoor deck, and a community garden. An underground garage accommodates 40 parking stalls, and three additional stalls are accessible at grade level. Its location in a High Resource Area supports easy access to local amenities, including grocery stores, a hospital, pharmacies, schools and public transportation.

To finance Vitalia, Affirmed Housing obtained $15.8 million in Santa Clara County Measure A funds and a $36 million construction and permanent loan from U.S. Bank. Boston Financial Investment Management provided $40 million in tax credit equity through the sale of the project’s state and federal tax credits. Additional support for Vitalia was provided in the form of project-based vouchers from the Santa Clara County Housing Authority and Department of Veterans Affairs. Housing Trust Silicon Valley also provided a $7.7 million acquisition loan.

“The Bay Area is one of the most expensive places in the country to live. That is why it is so critically important that we continue to invest robustly in affordable housing across this region. We are honored to have provided early-stage financing for Vitalia,” said Noni Ramos, CEO at Housing Trust Silicon Valley. “As a nonprofit financial intermediary, Housing Trust’s mission is to use public and private partnerships to create more equitable and affordable communities. We value our partnership with Affirmed Housing.”

From Opportunity Home San Antonio's press release:

The United States Congress approved two Community Project Funding (CPF) requests submitted by Opportunity Home San Antonio as part of its final Fiscal Year 2024 budget, which will help preserve the income-based housing stock in San Antonio.

The organization received $850,000, secured by Congressman Joaquin Castro, for the Critical Needs Infrastructure for Affordable/Workforce Housing Communities. Opportunity Home also received $850,000, secured by Congressman Greg Casar’s office, for the Alazán Expansion project.

“We are deeply appreciative of the federal funding made possible by Congressmen Castro and Casar,” said Opportunity Home President and CEO Ed Hinjosa, Jr. “With the profound income-based housing shortage in the city and across the nation, these funds provide critical support in preserving housing for some of our communities in need of it the most.”

Castro’s Critical Needs Infrastructure for Affordable/Workforce Housing Communities funding is for maintenance, renovations and critical repairs, identified through conducting a physical needs assessment, at Towering Oaks Apartments and Courtland Heights Apartments. Both properties are owned by Opportunities Home.

In March, Castro announced that his office secured $10.6 million through the Fiscal Year 2024 federal appropriations process to support thirteen community projects, including affordable housing. The funding is included in HR 4366, the Consolidated Appropriations Act.

“For decades, Opportunity Home San Antonio has built and maintained affordable housing for tens of thousands of San Antonians,” said Castro. “Every year, it’s a privilege for me to secure well-deserved federal funding for organizations across San Antonio to continue their great work, and I was glad to work with Opportunity Home to get $850,000 to go towards improvements at two of their housing properties that will preserve the affordable housing stock in our city. Access to stable housing ensures that our community can participate in and contribute to a growing economy, and this funding will help more families be able to pursue their goals and dreams.”

Casar’s office secured a total of $15 million through the Fiscal Year 2024 federal appropriations process to support 14 community projects, including affordable housing on the West Side of San Antonio.

The $850,000 federal grant secured by Casar will be used for the rehabilitation of the Alazán-Apache Courts as part of Opportunity Home’s Alazán Expansion project. Alazán-Apache Courts is the oldest public housing community in San Antonio. These funds will ensure Opportunity Home can continue serving the families on the West Side of San Antonio. The project will help to revitalize the neighborhood with new affordable housing and investment and contribute to economic development, and will serve families that are primarily 0-15% of area median income, offering the deepest affordability.

“Congress must help with rising rents and costs in San Antonio, which is why we are bringing dollars to rehabilitate Alazán-Apache Courts. Alazán-Apache Courts was the first public housing ever built in San Antonio, and one of the first public housing projects in the U.S.,” said Congressman Casar (D-Texas). “Opportunity Home San Antonio has helped San Antonians with housing assistance for decades. With this $850,000 investment toward Alazán-Apache Courts, we will make sure working families can still afford to live on the West Side in good housing with community services.”