Boston’s Mission Main public housing community, first built in 1940 and then demolished and replaced in 1998 as part of the HOPE VI program, is undergoing a major rehabilitation.
Boston Housing Authority holds a 99-year ground lease for the 23-acre site, and the buildings are owned and operated by a partnership between WinnCompanies and the Mission Main Tenant Task Force (MMTTF), a group of residents who became the majority owner of the community last year.
The 32-building complex encompasses nine city blocks and includes 535 units for residents at a mix of incomes: 67 at 30% of the area median income (AMI), 378 units at 60% of the AMI, and 90 market-rate units.
Winn and the MMTTF partnered on the 31-month, $99 million redevelopment, which is slated to be completed next spring. The scope of work was informed by the residents, so the partners focused on those key priorities, such as improving the heating and cooling as well as the air quality and comfort. The rehab will include high-efficiency heating and cooling systems; the replacement of kitchens, bathrooms, appliances, and windows in all units; upgrades to the community room and family resource center; 10 new playgrounds; state-of-the-art security; high-speed wireless broadband; and improved accessibility throughout the site.
“The success story here is the relationship with the MMTTF, which is led by Willie Pearl Clark. They really have worked and owned the project hand in hand with Winn,” says Neisha Colon, senior project director at WinnDevelopment.
“We have 1,700 residents here and have been redeveloping with residents in place. That partnership has been key to the success of the redevelopment. The Task Force is involved in every detail.”
The project’s recapitalization was accomplished through the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Rental Assistance Demonstration program, using 4% federal and state low-income housing tax credits.
