BHA seeks proposals to redevelop the Mildred C. Hailey Apartments public housing development

RFP next step in resident and community process regarding long-term preservation of affordable housing at Mildred C. Hailey Apartments

Boston, MA – (RealEstateRama) — The BHA issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) inviting developers to submit proposals to preserve and rebuild existing affordable housing at the Mildred C. Hailey Apartments public housing development in Jamaica Plain.  The issuance of the RFP comes as BHA is seeking ways to upgrade and sustain its affordable housing communities in the wake of historic federal budget cuts.

“It’s imperative that we think outside the box to preserve our existing affordable housing as well as develop new housing to meet the future housing needs of all of our city’s residents,” said Mayor Martin J. Walsh. “I’m excited because this project has the potential to meet the housing needs of people from a broad spectrum of economic backgrounds.”

Mildred C. Hailey Apartments includes 804 units of federally subsidized public housing in 29 buildings on approximately 24 acres of land.  It is the BHA’s intention to redevelop the site in separate phases over time.  This RFP calls for responses for the first phase.  The Phase One site consists of six buildings and contiguous land totaling approximately 6 acres.  The buildings currently comprise 232 units of federal public housing. The RFP calls for one-for-one replacement of all 232 units.  The BHA’s goal is to leverage the market value of the property in order to avoid displacement of low-income residents, preserve affordability for extremely low-income households, and ensure long-term operational sustainability. The selected Developer must demonstrate the ability and experience to implement a comprehensive plan to achieve that goal.

Phase One redevelopment at the Mildred Hailey Apartments is anticipated to include the transfer of the site via a 99-year ground lease to the selected Developer. Such a transfer is contingent upon HUD approval of the BHA’s disposition plan. It is anticipated that the redevelopment will occur in multiple phases, each with separate Ground Leases, schedules and disposition approvals.  In addition, all agreements are subject to HUD review and approval prior to final execution.

“We look forward to receiving creative ideas that will preserve and protect our affordable housing resources for the future,” said BHA Administrator Bill McGonagle.  “We are proceeding in this manner to ensure that our current residents of Hailey apartments and future residents of the city in need of affordable housing have this valuable resource to call home for generations to come.”

BHA staff recently met with residents of the development and local elected officials before issuing the RFP.  Also prior to this issuance, BHA issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) in November, 2014 asking the non-profit and for-profit development community for ideas about how to preserve public housing units with decreased reliance on federal subsidy, which has been shrinking for many years.  There is a copy of the RFQ and more information on the BHA’s funding situation in our Five-Year Plan on the BHA’s website.

Following the selection process, the BHA will issue a Letter of Designation to the selected Developer. The Developer will then carry out a comprehensive design and resident engagement process needed to finalize the redevelopment program and to secure funding for the project.

It is the BHA’s intent to preserve its public housing portfolio and to protect existing residents.  An informational only copy of the RFP is available for download here.

Proposer submission copies of the RFP MUST be obtained directly from the BHA’s Procurement Department.  The RFP is available to proposers for free via e-mail request to bids (at) bostonhousing (dot) org, or in hardcopy form for a $100 fee from the BHA Contract Unit at the 6th Floor, 52 Chauncy Street, Boston, MA  02111 on February 22, 2017.  The RFP Package shall be mailed to prospective respondents upon request for an additional $15.00 fee.

All proposals must be received by April 14, 2017 at 2:00 pm at the Boston Housing Authority, Procurement Dept., 6th Floor, 52 Chauncy Street, Boston, MA 02111.  Interested developers may subscribe to the BHA’s electronic mailing list to receive future bid notices.