September Mayor's Office of Housing Newsletter

41 LaGrange Street Opens 126 New Affordable Homes in Downtown Boston

The City celebrated the grand opening of 41 LaGrange Street, a new 19-story affordable housing development created in partnership with St. Francis House and the Planning Office for Urban Affairs. The development brings 126 income-restricted rental homes to downtown Boston, including 70 apartments for individuals exiting homelessness who will receive ongoing supportive services through St. Francis House, and 56 homes for workforce, middle- and low-income households. Built on a former surface parking lot, the all-electric Passive House development demonstrates how affordable housing and supportive services can work together to provide residents with long-term stability while creating more opportunities to live in the heart of Boston.

Read more here.

Six New Affordable Homeownership Opportunities Open at 43 Hemenway Street in the Fenway

The City and Fenway Forward celebrated the grand opening of 43 Hemenway Street, transforming an existing brick row house into six renovated, income-restricted condominiums in one of Boston’s most transit-accessible neighborhoods. The studio, one-bedroom, and three-bedroom homes are affordable to income-qualified households earning up to 80% and 100% of Area Median Income and create new opportunities for first-time homebuyers in a neighborhood where homeownership is increasingly out of reach. Supported by the Mayor’s Office of Housing, the project preserves the historic character of the property while expanding permanently affordable homeownership and helping Boston residents build long-term housing stability and wealth.

Read more here.

Construction Begins on 18 Affordable Homes at Marzuq Muhammad Plaza II in Grove Hall

The City, MTK Development, and community partners announced the start of construction on Marzuq Muhammad Plaza II, a new mixed-use development that will bring 18 affordable homeownership opportunities to Blue Hill Avenue in Grove Hall. The four-story development will include one-, two-, and three-bedroom homes affordable to households earning between 80% and 100% of Area Median Income, along with more than 3,200 square feet of ground-floor retail and community space and new outdoor green space. Named in honor of the late community leader and developer Marzuq Muhammad, the project builds on his legacy of neighborhood investment by creating opportunities for families to put down roots and remain part of the Grove Hall community.

Read more here.

Construction Begins on 35 Affordable Senior Homes in South Boston

The City, South Boston Neighborhood Development Corporation, Age Strong, and community partners celebrated the start of construction on McDevitt Senior Homes, which will transform the historic St. Augustine’s Convent into 35 income-restricted apartments for older Boston residents. All 35 homes will serve households earning at or below 50% of Area Median Income, including 16 homes for households earning at or below 30% of AMI. Designed to help residents age in place, the development will provide accessible homes, shared community spaces, and an on-site resident service coordinator while preserving important historic features of the former convent. In addition, the project will allow older residents to remain in the South Boston community they know.

Read more here.

State Funding Advances Nearly 600 Affordable Homes Across Boston

The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced new state and federal housing investments that will help create or preserve 589 income-restricted homes across six Boston developments. The awards will support Fox Hall Senior in South Boston, 80 Shawsheen Road in East Boston, 1198 Centre Street in Roslindale, Orchard Gardens near Nubian Square, 145–157 St. Alphonsus Street in Mission Hill, and 150 Centre Street in Dorchester. Together, these projects will create new homes for families and older adults, preserve hundreds of existing affordable apartments, and advance energy-efficient, transit-oriented development across Boston. The funding reflects the critical partnership between the City and Commonwealth in moving affordable housing projects forward and ensuring that Boston residents have access to stable, permanently affordable homes.

Read about the funding here.

State Funding Advances Nearly 600 Affordable Homes Across Boston

The Boston Home Center has launched a new Solar Loan Pilot Program to help low- and moderate-income homeowners invest in rooftop solar and reduce household energy costs. The program offers eligible residents up to $25,000 in 0% deferred-interest financing for solar installations and related improvements, helping families access clean energy while lowering monthly utility expenses.

The program builds on the City’s commitment to housing affordability, sustainability, and climate resilience by helping homeowners make energy-efficient upgrades that support long-term housing stability. By expanding access to renewable energy, Boston is creating new opportunities for residents to save money while participating in the clean energy transition.

Read more here.

New Community Stabilization Fund Expands Homeownership Opportunities

The Boston Home Center is launching the Community Stabilization Fund, a new down payment assistance program designed to help low- and moderate-income Bostonians purchase their first homes in Roxbury, Mission Hill, and Fenway. Made possible by support and contributions from Northeastern University, the program provides eligible homebuyers with up to an additional 10% of the purchase price toward down payment or closing costs. The fund is administered in partnership with Mission Hill Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc., Madison Park Development Corporation, and Fenway Forward and can be combined with other Boston Home Center and partner programs, helping make homeownership more attainable in neighborhoods where rising housing costs can create barriers for longtime residents. The program is available to eligible households earning up to 100% of Area Median Income, with funding awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

Find out more here. 

City Launches Child-Friendly Housing Design Challenge

The City’s Housing Innovation Lab is launching the Child-Friendly Housing Design Challenge to generate new ideas for small-scale housing that better meets the needs of Boston families with children. Architects, builders, designers, contractors, and design-build teams practicing in Massachusetts are invited to submit conceptual designs featuring family-friendly elements such as two or more bedrooms, laundry facilities, access to parking or transit, and safe, visible spaces for children to play. Eligible designs will help build a free design library for developers, builders, and property owners, with winning teams for each site receiving $10,000. The challenge builds on feedback from more than 400 Bostonians living with school-aged children and is part of the City’s broader effort to make it easier for families to find homes that can adapt to their needs over time. Submissions are open through November 15, 2026

Find out more here.