Boston steps up its game in the fight against homelessness with the completion of its largest supportive housing development to date, at 3368 Washington Street. In an announcement confirmed by the Boston Mayor's Office, Mayor Michelle Wu, alongside The Community Builders (TCB) and Pine Street Inn (PSI), revealed the project's grand finale, which now offers 202 affordable homes, with a lion's share of 140 units for individuals transitioning out of homelessness.
This initiative rolls out the red carpet to a better future for many, with the development featuring a mix of supportive housing units and income-restricted apartments for families. In a statement obtained by the City of Boston, Mayor Wu said, "3368 Washington Street represents our unwavering commitment to ensuring every Bostonian has a safe, stable place to call home." Moreover, Chris Thompson, Undersecretary of Housing Stabilization at the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, recognized the collaboration as vital in making homelessness "rare, brief, and non-recurring."
The newly unveiled five-story building isn't just about providing a roof overhead—it’s a sanctuary equipped with amenities for mobility-impaired individuals and sensory-impaired units, ensuring that no one is left behind. Lyndia Downie, President and Executive Director of Pine Street Inn, highlighted the organization's 96 percent retention rate in its housing solutions in a City of Boston press release, emphasizing that this is the path to eradicating homelessness.
The harmonious union between housing and support services at 3368 Washington Street was birthed from a blend of public and private financial fluids, including the City of Boston Mayor's Office of Housing, the Boston Housing Authority, and financial backing from entities like Bank of America and MassDevelopment. Andy Waxman, Senior Vice President of Development for The Community Builders, remarked in the same press release, "The partnership that brought this project to reality is a powerful combination – a permanent home, when paired with strong support services, provides a critical platform for personal growth, stability, and increased independence." His connection to the project is personal, residing just blocks away from the newly minted building in Jamaica Plain.
Boston's Chief of Housing Sheila A. Dillon and BHA Administrator Kenzie Bok have also chimed in on the significance of the project. Dillon highlighted in the official announcement the duality of providing both a safe home and the critical support services to help residents remain housed and prosper. The community's most vulnerable now have a robust safety net to expect, thanks to this housing haven.
