The City of Boston and the Fenway Community Development Corporation (CDC) just gave the East Fens neighborhood reason to celebrate – the brand new Burbank Terrace Apartments at 72 Burbank Street are opening their doors. This collaboration, which includes 27 newly-minted income-restricted apartments, stands as a monument to the combined efforts of the city, state, private developers, and local residents striving for affordable living solutions.
The project's fast track to completion was made possible by pre-approved zoning which eliminated over a year of developmental red tape. As a result, families are now moving into homes they can afford, with rents calibrated for incomes between 30% and 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI). "Fenway is a great neighborhood, and ensuring affordable housing keeps it strong," Sheila Dillon, Chief of Housing, said according to the City of Boston. "These affordable homes stabilize the community and create long-term opportunities for residents. Fenway CDC seized this chance to make a meaningful difference, and the City was proud to support the effort."
The building replaces what was once a 3,500-square-foot dilapidated parking lot with a structure that includes eight studio apartments, seven one-bedrooms, and twelve two-bedrooms. A host of amenities such as a community room, kitchen, lounge area, workspaces, and on-site emergency maintenance provides comfortable, convenient living. Furthermore, the location is a stone's throw from Fenway Park and public transit.
Financial backing for Burbank Terrace spanned a diverse group of public, quasi-public, private, and nonprofit entities. Funding sources included notable contributions from the Mayor’s Office of Housing, the State’s Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, and the Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation (CEDAC). Eastern Bank and WNC also provided crucial financial support. "Community Preservation Act funds are critical to creating and preserving affordable housing," Thadine Brown, Director of Community Preservation, shared with the City of Boston. "Burbank Terrace exemplifies community-driven, sustainable development that strengthens neighborhoods for the long term."
Mayor Wu's administration has been a beacon for affordable housing advocacy, with over 17,000 housing units established under her tenure, nearly a third of which are income-restricted. The executive push for more developments has seen a 25 percent reduction in approval and permitting times for affordable housing projects. This latest development in Fenway aligns with Wu's ongoing initiatives, reflecting the concerted efforts to provide housing security to Boston's diverse communities.
