Healey-Driscoll and Wu Administrations Announce a Comprehensive Plan to Preserve Affordability and Rehabilitate the Forbes Apartments

Today, Governor Maura Healey and Mayor Michelle Wu announced a significant step forward in the preservation and rehabilitation of the Forbes Building, a 147-unit rental property in Jamaica Plain.  Working closely with the owner, The Jamaica Plain Company,  both the City and State have committed funding for the project that will ensure its use as affordable housing into the future.  

“For years, the Forbes Building has been an anchor in our community keeping long-time residents rooted in Jamaica Plain as civic leaders, activists, and neighbors,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “I’m delighted and grateful to join Governor Healey and her administration in marking a big step toward the stability that we have been fighting for here. Preserving the affordability of these housing units means not only protecting the stability of these residents, but also the vitality of our larger community.”

“As we work to create more housing across the state, we must also work to preserve the affordable housing we already have,” said Governor Healey. “These rental restrictions are crucial to keeping people in their homes, and we can’t afford to lose them.”

Originally built in 1976 with funding from the Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency’s 13A mortgage program, the property has been a vital source of affordable housing for nearly 50 years. More recently, with the impending expiration of its general partnership and associated affordability term, the Forbes Apartments were at risk of being converted into market rate housing. The loss of affordability would have resulted in the displacement of over 100 long term residents.   

Recognizing the urgent need for action, the Mayor’s Office of Housing (MOH), in collaboration with the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) and the Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation (CEDAC), has been working with the owner and the residents to develop a long-term solution.  In 2023, the owner enlisted Affirmative Investments, a consultant specializing in Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), to design a development plan that would preserve all 147 units as affordable housing.

The plan for the Forbes Building includes a comprehensive refinancing and rehabilitation strategy aimed at ensuring long-term affordability and enhancing the property’s sustainability and livability.  Key elements of the plan include:

• Long term affordability  and critical building upgrades will be made possible  with 110 MRVP vouchers, State LIHTC, Tax Exempt Bonds and State and City soft debt. 
• A 24-month rehabilitation project will significantly upgrade the building and its units while minimizing disruption to residents. 
• Achieving Passive House sustainability standards including exterior cladding, new heating and cooling systems, improved ventilation and energy-efficient appliances.
• Activating common spaces to foster community engagement. 
• Adding green space to the property by creating a Zipcar system for residents, along with the development of a food forest to provide fresh food and programming.

The Forbes Building project is part of a larger effort by the City of Boston and the Healey-Driscoll Administration to address the housing crisis through innovative programs and policies. Governor Maura Healey, who increased the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit from $40 million to $60 million annually as part of her tax cut plan, emphasized the importance of preserving affordable housing. 

“Together, the City and the State, working closely with nonprofit partners, have come together to preserve this important Boston asset as affordable housing for decades to come,” said Sheila A. Dillon, Chief of Housing and Director of the Mayor’s Office of Housing. “This partnership preserves the tenancies of many vulnerable residents while also allowing for vital improvements to the property that will enhance the quality of life for current and future residents.  .”

The Forbes’ residents have organized and worked closely with the MA Alliance of HUD Tenants to ensure that the property remained affordable and resident voices were heard.  A significant number of the residents have lived in the property.  Additional supporters have included Mass Senior Action, Jamaica Plain Progressives.  

“We are thrilled that the Forbes Building has been approved for 110 low income rent subsidies,” commented David Nollman, a leader of the Forbes Building Tenants Association and Board member of the Mass Alliance of HUD Tenants. “This will achieve our long standing goal to save our homes  as mixed income housing affordable to current and future elderly or disabled households. We thank Mayor Wu and Governor Healy for their critical leadership and support.”  

The project’s funding aligns with the broader housing strategies championed by the Healey-Driscoll Administration, including the Affordable Homes Act and the creation of the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities in 2023. These initiatives have introduced nearly 50 new policies to expand housing access, promote sustainability, and support diverse communities across the Commonwealth.

The rehabilitation of the Forbes Building reflects Boston’s commitment to addressing the urgent need for affordable housing while ensuring environmental sustainability and fostering a sense of community. With this project, Mayor Wu and her administration are reaffirming their dedication to creating a Boston where everyone can afford to live and thrive.

About the Mayor’s Office of Housing

The Mayor’s Office of Housing is responsible for housing people experiencing homelessness, creating and preserving affordable housing, and ensuring that renters and homeowners can obtain, maintain, and remain in safe, stable housing. The department develops and implements the City of Boston’s housing creation and homelessness prevention plans and collaborates with local and national partners to find new solutions and build more housing affordable to all, particularly those with lower incomes. For more information, please visit the MOH website.

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