Latest round of applications open for Community Preservation Act funding

Mayor Kim Janey today announced the availability of eligibility forms for applications for the upcoming round of Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds. For Fiscal Year 2022, the City of Boston has made $28 million available for CPA projects under three categories consistent with statewide guidelines: affordable housing, historic preservation, and open space or recreation. Interested applicants must complete eligibility forms by September 3, 2021, which will be reviewed by the City’s Community Preservation Act team. Candidates deemed eligible by the CPA team will be invited to submit an application for their proposed projects. Once approved, applications will open on October 4, 2021 by invitation only and close on November 12, 2021. 

“Boston remains committed to preserving the history and beauty of its neighborhoods by investing directly into the communities we serve,” said Mayor Janey. “By funding community-based and grassroots projects, the City empowers neighborhoods directly.”

Applicants who would like to apply for affordable housing projects will need to respond to the joint request for proposals (RFP) released by the City of Boston Community Preservation Program and the Department of Neighborhood Development. This joint RFP must be submitted by September 24, 2021.

After the end of the application period, the Community Preservation Committee will review applications by January 2022 and vote on a list of proposals in February to recommend to the Mayor. The Mayor will make a recommendation on the slate of CPA projects to be voted on by the Boston City Council.

The last round of CPA awards in February 2021 funded over $25.5 million to 67 projects across the city, including affordable housing developments and programs, parks and open space, and historic preservation projects consistent with statewide guidelines. Examples of community projects that benefited from this investment include preserving historic elements on the Guild of Boston Artists building dating back to 1884, improving the tree canopy on the Charles River Esplanade, and adding 75 affordable housing units in Hyde Park.

The Community Preservation Fund is capitalized primarily by a one percent property tax-based surcharge on residential and business property tax bills that began in July 2017 after Boston voters adopted the measure on a ballot question in November 2016. 

The City of Boston Community Preservation Act Program has awarded over $92 million to support 198 projects across the City since 2016. Community Preservation Act-funded projects can be found in 23 neighborhoods. Of those supported since its creation, there have been 27 affordable housing projects, 85 open space and recreation projects, and 86 historic preservation projects. 

The Community Preservation Committee (CPC) is committed to broad community participation, supporting accessible and visible projects that have a positive impact on neighborhoods and residents. CPA staff has been hosting virtual meet and greets, community meetings, and workshops to explain the eligibility requirements and the application process to residents and organizations interested in applying for funding. 

For more information about the Community Preservation Act, visit here. To learn more about the process of applying for Community Preservation Act funding, visit the CPA's How to apply page. If you have any questions about the CPA Program, please email here.