Mayor Menino Announces $30 Million Improvement Project at Two Boston Housing Authority Developments
Boston, MA – July 12, 2011 – (RealEstateRama) — Today, Mayor Thomas M. Menino announced a $30 million improvement project for the Heritage Apartments in East Boston and Lower Mills in Dorchester, both serving the disabled and elderly communities. The funding will provide energy efficient capital improvements and increased supportive services at both developments.
“To be able to combine energy-efficient housing with social services for our elderly and disabled population at these developments is a tremendous accomplishment,” said Mayor Menino. “The City of Boston continues to be a leader in merging green technology and affordable housing.”
Upgrades across the two sites will include a variety of energy, health, and quality of life upgrades, including:
- New heating systems;
- Building envelope repair and window replacement;
- Plumbing fixtures with low-flow toilets and aerators for sinks, tubs, showers and lavatories to reduce water consumption;
- Individual heating controls for better resident comfort;
- Some kitchen and bath upgrades;
- Significant common area improvements.
The program enhances and preserves almost 500 units of affordable elderly/disabled housing for low-income Bostonians.
Another key component of this conversion is the expansion of supportive services offered to residents at Heritage and Lower Mills. Both sites will have full-time onsite service coordinators to assist residents with medical and mental health referrals, transportation, community services and translation needs. Monthly wellness seminars and health screenings will also be held at each development.
“The BHA is dedicated to improving our residents’ quality of life,” said BHA Administrator Bill McGonagle. “These improvements are a new and unique way of generating badly needed capital dollars for our public housing program.”
These upgrades are funded by financing secured from MassHousing—over $20 million at Heritage and $9 million at Lower Mills. The funding is made possible by the conversion of Heritage and Lower Mills from the traditional public housing program (ACC) to the project-based Section 8 voucher subsidy program (PBV). Ten percent of the units at both developments will remain public housing in accordance with HUD requirements.
Contact:
Mayor’s Press Office
Press.Office (at) cityofboston (dot) gov
