MBHP signs Purchase & Sale Agreement for new headquarters at Roxbury Crossing
BOSTON – Metropolitan Boston Housing Partnership (MBHP) has signed the purchase and sale agreement to move its headquarters to Mission Hill Neighborhood Housing Services’ (MHNHS) new development at Parcel 25 at Roxbury Crossing. This is the first step in the process that will allow MBHP to be closer to its core service community.
“The signing of the purchase and sale agreement marks significant progress for MBHP in its quest for a more accessible, efficient and permanent home for our staff to better serve our clients,” said Chris Norris, Executive Director of MBHP. “While there are still many steps to go in making this dream a reality, we are thrilled to be working closely with Mission Hill Neighborhood Housing Services and are excited about the prospect of adding to the revitalization of this important Boston neighborhood.”
MHNHS will develop a vacant two acre parcel formerly owned by the MBTA, located across from the Roxbury Crossing MBTA Station and close to a major bus corridor. MHNHS will construct a five story, mixed use building that will create 40 units of affordable housing along with community-focused commercial space and a 27,000 square foot new home for MBHP, making it more accessible to at least 65% of its clients. MHNHS has conducted 14 brainstorming sessions with members of the community to ensure that the design plans reflect the community’s desire for a transit-oriented development complete with affordable housing, community space, and retail. The project also aligns with the City of Boston’s redevelopment goals. In May 2015, Mayor Martin Walsh committed $39 million to support affordable housing developments in neighborhoods throughout Boston, including $2,750,000 for the Parcel 25 project.
“The signing of this purchase and sales agreement by the Metropolitan Boston Housing Partnership marks another important step in realizing the community’s vision to transform this once vacant MBTA land into a gateway between Roxbury and Mission Hill,” said Mayor Martin J. Walsh. “This second phase of Roxbury Crossing development is the result of a lot of hard work and patience on the part of the community and the developer Mission Hill Neighborhood Housing Services. I am proud that the City of Boston’s investment of more than $2.7 million into this transit-oriented development will help stimulate economic growth with business and affordable housing right next to the Roxbury Crossing MBTA stop.”
The partnership between MHNHS and MBHP advances their shared vision of building thriving, socio-economically diverse neighborhoods. This redevelopment will be a catalyst to solidify Roxbury Crossing as a viable neighborhood center and entrance to the Mission Hill community.
“This development will be as transformative to Roxbury Crossing as our One Brigham Circle development was at the other end of Tremont Street,” said Patricia Flaherty, Executive Director of MHNHS and a resident of Mission Hill. “Mission Hill Neighborhood Housing Services as both the planner and developer of Parcel 25 is thrilled that MBHP would like to move its headquarters and its services to our neighborhood as a vital part of the first phase of development. MBHP will be a perfect complement to the community-envisioned mix of uses that will revitalize the Roxbury Crossing gateway to the Mission Hill neighborhood.”
The Parcel 25 development will incorporate community organizing, resident participation and community planning to revitalize the neighborhood and create a safe, affordable and healthy community for the residents of Mission Hill and Roxbury Crossing.
“I have lived on Mission Hill, walking distance from Roxbury Crossing, for more than 30 years and this is the perfect location for this mix of housing, office, community, and retail,” said John LaRuffa, a resident of Mission Hill. “This project will add even more to my love of the history and excitement of my neighborhood. I am excited that the community’s vision is going to become a reality.”
About Metropolitan Boston Housing Partnership
Metropolitan Boston Housing Partnership (MBHP) is a leading nonprofit dedicated to connecting the residents of Greater Boston with safe, decent homes they can afford. MBHP empowers families and individuals to move along the continuum from homelessness to housing stability. Serving more than 20,000 households annually, MBHP works seamlessly to bridge the gaps among government, nonprofits, and corporations to continually increase its impact. With more than 30 years’ experience piloting and implementing housing programs, MBHP has solidified its position as an industry-leading expert on navigating the affordable housing field. For more information, visit www.mbhp.org, facebook.com/MBHPHome, or follow MBHP on Twitter at @MBHPhousing.
About Mission Hill Neighborhood Housing Services
Mission Hill Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc. (MHNHS) is a community-based non-profit organization committed to the revitalization and stabilization of the Mission Hill neighborhood of the City of Boston for all those who live and work here. Since its founding in 1974, MHNHS has strived to involve all segments of the community in planning and implementing its housing and economic development activities, which are designed to preserve Mission Hill’s unique character, improve the standard of living of its lower income residents, and enhance the overall quality of live for everyone. For more information, visit www.missionhillnhs.org.