The mission of the Planning Office, a non-profit housing developer affiliated with the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston, is to serve as a catalyst for social justice through its work in housing development and neighborhood revitalization. The Planning Office is responsible for developing over 3,200 units of housing to date, channeling over $675 million of investment into neighborhoods and towns throughout metropolitan Boston.
Photo by Joakeem Gaston
We are grateful for a successful ribbon cutting, as we celebrated the opening of 41 LaGrange Street - 126 units of both affordable workforce housing and permanent supportive housing, in a 19-story tower in the heart of downtown Boston, in partnership with St. Francis House. Hearing from a resident who has been street homeless for 9 years, and hearing stories of gratitude from residents who couldn't believe that these apartments were their forever homes, always puts into perspective the years of work, and the partnerships and persistence that these projects require. Thank you to our incredible partners who made this project come to fruition - we couldn't provide these new homes without their support! We are thankful for the support of the Archdiocese of Boston; Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll; the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities; Mayor Michelle Wu; the City of Boston; Chairman Aaron Michlewitz; Senators Lydia Edwards and Nick Collins; Bank of America; City Councilor Ed Flynn; MassHousing; Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation (CEDAC); The Life Initiative; and all of our incredible development team members who made this project a reality.
POUA Celebrates Opening of 126 Units of Housing in Downtown Boston - FULL STORY
Photo by Joakeem Gaston
We were thrilled to celebrate the ribbon cutting of the fully-occupied 150 River Street Village - 30 units of affordable senior housing in Mattapan - earlier this week! POUA was joined by our development partner Caribbean Integration Community Development, Inc.; Monsignor Bryan Hehir; Secretary Matias (Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities); Sheila Dillon (City of Boston); U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; City Councilor Brian Worrell; Rep. Brandy Fluker-Reid; Rep. Russell Holmes; MassDevelopment; and so many residents!
Hearing from resident Lynette Holmes about how much she loves living at River Street Village provided purpose and meaning, reminding us all why we work (in this case for 10 years!) to complete as much affordable housing as we can, to better serve the needs of our community.
POUA and CICD Celebrate Opening of 150 River Street Village! - FULL STORY
Our Director of Real Estate, Shaina Korman-Houston, spoke in March at Citizens' Housing and Planning Association (CHAPA)’s panel on the proposed Yes in God’s Backyard (YIGBY) legislation, which would allow for as-of-right zoning for housing on faith-based and owned parcels. She joined JALSA, The Lynch Foundation, and Father Bill's & MainSpring to discuss the importance of passing this legislation. Click on the link here to email your legislators!
Yes in God’s Backyard Legislation - CHAPA Forum - FULL STORY
Photo Credit: Patriots Foundation
This December, we got the chance to welcome residents into their new, stable, affordable homes in Mattapan, with the New England Patriots Foundation! Thanks to the Foundation's generous support through their Community Captains program, we were able to welcome residents into their new homes with gift boxes and fleece blankets.
POUA and Patriots Foundation Welcome Residents! - FULL STORY
Paul Burton and CBS spoke with POUA President Bill Grogan, and highlighted our affordable housing development work to convert vacant Archdiocesan properties into stable and affordable homes. Read more here.
CBS News Covers Vacant Churches Converting to Affordable Housing - FULL STORY