Christoph Gervais

Two nonprofits committed to social justice have combined their skill sets to preserve a historic building and create housing for the most vulnerable in a rapidly changing area of downtown Boston.

The redevelopment preserves many beautiful and distinctive features of the building, including the Victorian Gothic façade as well as interior features such as marble fireplaces and Corinthian columns.
Amarillys Rodriguez The redevelopment preserves many beautiful and distinctive features of the building, including the Victorian Gothic façade as well as interior features such as marble fireplaces and Corinthian columns.

The Planning Office for Urban Affairs (POUA), an experienced Boston-based affordable housing developer, and St. Francis House, the largest day shelter service provider in the city, have acquired and rehabilitated the former Boston Young Men’s Christian Union building, which was constructed in 1875 and home to a nonprofit of the same name that helped adults and families with a range of socioeconomic backgrounds have a better quality of life through physical education and well-being.

The Union at 48 Boylston, which was completed at the end of 2018, continues that mission of providing a better quality of life. It provides 46 units of affordable housing, including 25 targeted to those who have experienced homelessness, in a gentrifying neighborhood with an influx of luxury housing. It includes 12,000 square feet for St. Francis House’s administrative offices, opening up space for a substance abuse counseling program and additional services at its building across the street. In addition, the Urban Hound at St. Francis House, a dog day care and grooming venture, will open later this summer and will provide job training and employment opportunities for residents and clients.

“Having this building here helps to keep diversity in the downtown and makes sure Boston and this neighborhood remain inclusive,” says Lisa Alberghini, the former president of POUA.

Residents also have access to programs offered by a services coordinator as well as supportive services, from job skills training to health programs, from St. Francis House.

“We are not just providing housing, we are providing the support services so residents can thrive in their new homes,” adds Karen LaFrazia, president and CEO of St. Francis House.

The $31.2 million development utilizes federal and state historic tax credits as well as federal and state low-income housing tax credits.