Boston – Boston Mayor Michelle Wu joined Inquilinos Boricuas en Acción (IBA) and the Boston Housing Authority (BHA) to celebrate the completion of a major renovation project preserving 146 affordable housing units at the West Newton and Rutland Apartments in Boston’s historic South End neighborhood.
More than 100 partners, elected officials, residents, funders, staff, and community members joined the City of Boston and BHA for the event. Attendees included Representative John Moran (9th Suffolk), Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn, and representatives from Senator Nick Collins’ office, the Blackstone/Franklin Square Neighborhood Association and the Ellis South End Neighborhood Association.
Vanessa Calderón-Rosado
The project, which was financed in part by Low-Income Housing Tax Credits and federal and state Historic Tax Credits, included financing from MassHousing and Wells Fargo. These capital resources enabled significant renovations to the 146 units of public housing, with the BHA continuing to provide ongoing operating subsidies to ensure their permanent affordability. Renovations include exterior masonry repairs, new windows, doors, roofs, and essential life-safety and accessibility upgrades. Eight units were renovated for improved accessibility and 11 vacant, fire-damaged units were fully restored and transformed into modern homes for Boston families.
“I am so grateful for our partners who share our dedication to making Boston an affordable, attainable, and enjoyable home for everyone,” said Wu. “This transfer and renovation process exemplifies the different approaches we can take to preserve much-needed affordable housing in our city. Thank you to everyone who worked to keep these families in our city and ensure affordable housing in perpetuity in this neighborhood.”
Mayra Negrón-Roche
Formerly a BHA-owned public housing community, this project transfers ownership and management of the property to IBA, who will ensure permanent affordability in compliance with its ground lease with the BHA. Of the 146 total units, 110 of the apartments are made affordable through the federal Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program and 36 units through the federal Section 8 program, with subsidies from both programs administered by the BHA.
“In partnership with the BHA, our team’s long-standing dedication and effective collaboration have protected our community by enhancing the lives of our residents and ensuring that they can remain in our neighborhood,” said Vanessa Calderón-Rosado, CEO of IBA. “These renovations provide safe, modern spaces and foster stability and opportunity for the residents. We’re preserving the South End’s diversity while offering programs that empower residents, reinforcing our commitment to social and economic mobility. This is about ensuring everyone has a place to call home and a chance to thrive.”
Haley Dillon, Vanessa Calderón-Rosado, Rosa Gonzalez, Michelle Wu, John Moran, and Mayra Negrón-Roche
“Boston needs every affordable housing unit, and the West Newton/Rutland Apartments have long been a critical link in Boston’s affordable housing landscape in the South End,” said BHA administrator, Kenzie Bok. “Delivering these upgrades in partnership with IBA enables us to give hundreds of families an opportunity to live in safe, beautifully renovated homes in one of Boston’s most vibrant neighborhoods.”
Going forward residents will have access to IBA’s residential programs and services, which include education, workforce development, advocacy, arts and cultural programming.
