Mayor Michelle Wu was all smiles at the ribbon-cutting of The Kenzi at Bartlett Station in Nubian Square, as Boston's older citizens gained access to 50 new income-restricted apartments complete with supportive services—a move aimed to help them age with dignity in their own neighborhood. Wu praised the initiative, saying, "I am thrilled for the residents who will soon move into fifty beautiful new affordable, healthy apartments for older Bostonians and the families who will get to be close to their loved ones in our community," and emphasized that housing is crucial for older residents to stay connected to their communities, as reported by the City of Boston.

The development reserves 44 units for those earning at or below 80% of Boston's median income, with five dedicated to transitioning people out of homelessness. The project not only caters to their need for affordable housing but also offers health care through a partnership with Boston Medical Center, which will provide an on-site center to help manage social activities, meals, and other issues, enhancing these veterans of life's ability to stay stably housed, said Chief of Housing Sheila Dillon.

As Boston moves forward with its Carbon Free 2050 plan, The Kenzi stands as a model of sustainability, designed with eco-friendly technology such as a rooftop solar array. It's making history as the city's first high-rise with a battery backup system, ensuring residents have a warm and well-lit home regardless of the circumstances, noted Aaron Gornstein, President and CEO of Preservation of Affordable Housing. In his words, "It also represents innovation in housing and health through a partnership with Boston Medical Center that resulted in $500k in Accelerating Investments for Health Communities funding and additional support for health services to residents through an on-site center," according to the statement released by the City of Boston.

The launch of The Kenzi is just one slice of the larger Bartlett Place Development pie, a project concocting a mix of rental and for-sale housing units, interspersed with commercial spaces, public plazas, and pedestrian-friendly walkways. Nuestra Comunidad Development Corporation partners with Windale Developers, Incorporated to redevelop the larger Nubian Square Bartlett site, ultimately aiming to create nearly 383 homes for working families, as stated by MassHousing CEO Chrystal Kornegay. This mixed-use growth spurt is expected to bolster the local Roxbury economy.

Funding for The Kenzi’s construction flowed in from diverse sources, including the City of Boston’s Mayor’s Office of Housing, the Community Preservation Fund, state agencies, and Boston Medical Center, alongside a substantial boost from private financing sources like Bank of America. All of these contributions have been instrumental in bringing this affordable housing vision to life for the city's blossoming older population.