The Healey-Driscoll Administration awarded Climate Ready Housing grants to seven Boston affordable housing projects. The funds will help developers reduce energy use as part of the Healy Driscoll administration’s net-zero emissions goals for Massachusetts.
The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities awards the grants along with the Massachusetts Housing Partnership, Local Initiatives Support Corporation and MassHousing.
“We are grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration and our state partners for recognizing Boston’s commitment to climate-ready housing,” said Boston Chief of Housing Sheila Dillon. “By embedding energy efficiency and decarbonization into affordable housing development, we’re protecting residents from rising costs, enhancing quality of life and strengthening our neighborhoods against the impacts of climate change.”
Here’s a breakdown of the affordable housing projects set to receive the Climate Ready Housing Grants:
- Seaver Street Apartments, Roxbury: Commonwealth Land Trust will use grant funding to retrofit this 16-unit project with insulation and electrical updates. The measures will reduce energy use by 58%, according to a press release.
- Our Lady’s Guild House, Fenway: This project from the Planning Office for Urban Affairs and Fenway Community Development Corporation will see a historic lodging house converted into 86 affordable rental units.
- McDevitt Senior Homes, South Boston: South Boston Neighborhood Development Corporation will use the funding for an adaptive reuse project transforming the former St. Augustine’s Convent into 35 energy-efficient affordable apartments for low-income seniors.
- Brian J. Honan Apartments, Allston-Brighton: This 50-unit affordable housing development will see a 62% energy reduction thanks to Allston-Brighton Community Development Corporation’s full electrification of the building and the addition of solar infrastructure.
- Franklin Field Apartments, Dorchester: In partnership with the National Grid, the Boston Housing Authority will electrify 129 residences at Franklin Field Apartments and add a geothermal heating system. The updates will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 79%.
- Theroch Apartments, Dorchester: Urban Edge plans to use the grant funding to update 15 100-year-old buildings in Roxbury and Dorchester for low-income residents.
- Forbes Building, Jamaica Plain: Jamaica Plain Company will retrofit the 147-unit Forbes Building to meet Passive House standards and install an all-electric heating and cooling system.