Mayor Menino Announces $40 million for Renovations and Redevelopment of Public Housing
Recovery Act funding will provide “green”, energy efficient renovations for Old Colony, Cathedral, Heath and Amory public housing developments
Today, Mayor Thomas M. Menino announced that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has given the City of Boston $40 million through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The funding will go toward renovating several public housing developments in the Boston Housing Authority’s (BHA) portfolio using “green” technology to increase energy efficiency and decrease overall costs to the City of Boston. The $40 million worth of projects will create nearly 400 new jobs.
“These grants are further proof that our hard work is paying off by bringing several millions of dollars to Boston through ARRA,” said Mayor Menino. “This funding will help make Boston a national leader in the development of affordable green housing communities.”
The $40 million is actually comprised of four separate grants including a $22 million grant for the first phase of redevelopment of the Old Colony public housing development in South Boston. The redevelopment effort will be combined in a public-private partnership expected to generate about $40 million. Phase one will include building approximately 100 to 150 new units of housing and a new community center. A major emphasis of the redevelopment will be the inclusion of green building and energy efficient measures. Building envelope, interiors and systems will be designed to achieve an optimum standard in green and healthy housing.
Built in 1940, the Old Colony development is currently the most physically distressed site in the BHA’s federal portfolio, with aged systems and infrastructure and an annual energy and water cost of over $4,000 per unit. The site is one of the largest in the BHA’s portfolio and is comprised of more than 16 acres of 873 apartments in 22 three-story brick walk up buildings.
“We continue to think creatively in our efforts to improve our housing and better serve our residents,” said Bill McGonagle, BHA Administrator. “The Recovery Act funding we’re receiving at the BHA will go a long way to improving the lives of the public housing residents of Boston.”
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and we’re really excited,” said Susan Lenardis, president of the Old Colony Tenant Task Force. “We’re ready to get to work and get started.”
Approximately $18 million of the $40 million in funding represents the second grant provided to the BHA for “green” improvements and services at the Cathedral, Heath Street and Amory Street public housing developments.
BHA officials will spend $11 million to renovate three severely distressed buildings at the Cathedral development in the South End and $3 million to renovate a 24-unit building at the Heath Street development in Jamaica Plain. All buildings will undergo an innovative greening program to establish a cost-effective, replicable model for sustainable public housing rehabilitation. LEED for Homes certification will be sought through the renovations for all buildings.
The remaining $4 million will fund the modification of the existing 10,000 square foot community space at the Amory Street development into a full-service center serving the needs of frail elders and people with disabilities over the age of 55. The center will be operated by Upham’s Corner Health Center’s Elder Service Plan. The program allows elders to remain living independently in the community rather than in a nursing home. In addition, the BHA plans to modify an upper floor of the Amory Street development into a center for other residents that benefit from on-site 24-hour care and services.
Services at both centers will include primary care, specialty care, dental and eye care, prescription drugs, home health services, rehabilitative services, nutrition, respite care, and transportation assistance. These services as well as medical monitoring and treatments, structure activities and exercise will be provided at the Amory center at no charge to BHA residents.
In total, the City of Boston has been awarded $73 million in ARRA funding for BHA projects. The $40 million represents funding awarded through competitive grants. The remaining $33 million was provided to the BHA through formula driven capital awards several different projects. Those projects include $10 million for the construction of 100 affordable energy efficient units at the Washington Beech housing complex in Roslindale and $10 million for the renovation of 600 bathrooms at three of the BHA’s oldest housing complexes in Charlestown.
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