October 29, 2015 - Uphams Crossing Dedication: Cardinal and Mayor Dedicate New Affordable Housing

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Cardinal Seán P. O’Malley and Mayor Martin J. Walsh Celebrate the Dedication of Uphams Crossing, affordable housing on Former St. Kevin’s Parish Property
Redevelopment provides 80 units of housing in Dorchester
 
BOSTON—October 29, 2015—Cardinal Seán O’Malley OFM Cap, Mayor Martin J. Walsh, Bank of America Executive Robert Gallery and State Officials joined the Planning Office for Urban Affairs today to celebrate the redevelopment of the former St. Kevin’s Parish campus in Uphams Corner in Dorchester.  The redevelopment of St. Kevin’s is a coordinated Archdiocesan effort led by the Planning Office for Urban Affairs and including St. Mary’s Center for Women and Children and Holy Family Parish.
 
"The collaboration of the Planning Office for Urban Affairs, St. Mary’s Center and Holy Family Parish with the City of Boston and our state and federal government has provided much needed affordable housing for this neighborhood” said Cardinal O’Malley.  “Throughout the Archdiocese we know of families paying high rents for apartments that are in poor condition, working people who cannot afford to rent an apartment, and increasing family homelessness.  The development of affordable housing is among the most effective means of responding to these critical needs. The Archdiocese is pleased to be able to participate in this important work, we are grateful to all who have contributed to this project.”
 
Recently named “Uphams Crossing”, this development provides 80 units of safe and affordable housing in Dorchester, 20 of which are for formerly homeless families and 60 units that provide workforce housing for low and moderate-income households.  St. Mary’s Center will provide on-site supportive services for families transitioning to permanent housing and to all resident of the new development.  Nearly 3,500 applications were received for the housing, demonstrating the overwhelming need for new affordable apartments in the City of Boston.
 
“The City of Boston is pleased to partner with the Archdiocesan Planning Office for Urban Affairs on this important project,” Mayor Martin J. Walsh said. “Their work, along with efforts put forth by St. Mary’s Center and Holy Family Parish, carries on the mission of the former St. Kevin’s Parish by caring for those in need, while also bringing new life to the streetscape of the Upham's Corner Main Street District. I want to commend the work of the Archdiocese, and their partners and neighbors. Because of their dedication, more new, quality and affordable homes are coming to Dorchester.”
 
Construction began in February 2013 and the project was completed last month.  The development includes three multi-story buildings, two newly constructed (35 Bird Street and 530 Columbia Road) and the adaptive reuse of one of the existing buildings (516 Columbia Road). 
 
“Projects such as Uphams Crossing offer access to affordable, stable housing that strengthens our families and our communities,” said Undersecretary of Housing and Community Development Chrystal Kornegay. “I look forward to continued partnerships with municipalities, neighborhoods, communities and engaged citizens as we work to improve housing access in Massachusetts.”
 
The development received funding from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the City of Boston, Bank of America, the Federal Home Loan Bank and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
 
“Uphams Crossing is a true partnership of the Archdiocese and our City, State and Bank of America partners” said Lisa Alberghini, President of the Planning Office for Urban Affairs.  “We are excited to provide for both homeless families and middle-income residents, and would like to especially thank Mayor Walsh and Governor Baker for their great support.”
 
About the Planning Office for Urban Affairs, Inc.:  The Planning Office for Urban Affairs, Inc. is a social justice ministry affiliated with the Archdiocese of Boston. The Planning Office strives to create vibrant communities through the development of high quality affordable and mixed income housing. As a prominent regional non-profit developer and a leading diocesan housing development ministry for the Catholic Church in America, POUA has completed nearly 2,700 units of affordable and mixed- income housing and has undertaken several neighborhood revitalization initiatives in Massachusetts.  
 
About the Archdiocese of Boston: The Diocese of Boston was founded on April 8, 1808 and was elevated to Archdiocese in 1875. Currently serving the needs of 1.8 million Catholics, the Archdiocese of Boston is an ethnically diverse and spiritually enriching faith community consisting of 289 parishes, across 144 communities, educating approximately 42,000 students in its Catholic schools and 156,000 in religious education classes each year, ministering to the needs of 200,000 individuals through its pastoral and social service outreach.   Mass is celebrated in nearly twenty different languages each week. For more information, please visit  www.BostonCatholic.org.