Urban Edge Housing Corporation

CONTACT:

1542 Columbus Avenue, Suite 2
Roxbury, MA 02119
617.989.9301
www.urbanedge.org

Mossik Hacobian, President

DESCRIPTION:

Here is a community development corporation (CDC) that really works. Founded in 1974 by Jamaica Plain community leaders to combat displacement of low-income families, celebrate racial and ethic diversity in the neighborhood, ensure community control of development, and improve the local economy, UE focuses on affordable housing. Today, with over $80 million in real estate assets, this is one of the strongest, most experienced CDCs in Boston, with over 50% more affordable housing in their Egleston-Jackson area than the Boston citywide average—30% of the overall housing stock, compared with 19% city-wide. They provide more than 1000 units of affordable multi-family rental and cooperative housing in Roxbury, Jamaica Plain, Dorchester and Mattapan. Urban Edge’s housing development pipeline includes 13 green affordable condominiums in Roslindale completed in July of 2008, financial restructuring and green rehabilitation of 103 occupied rental units planned for 2009, and more than 400 new units to be developed in the coming years in Jackson Square in partnership with three other local development organizations. To help support and preserve the economic and social gains in Roxbury, Jamaica Plain and surrounding neighborhoods, UE also develops retail, commercial properties and community facilities, offers rehab and lead abatement loans to homeowners, provides financial fitness and homebuyer education, promotes youth employment and resident leadership, and operates an effective foreclosure prevention counseling program for homeowners at risk in Boston and 60 other communities. You can be part of their success.

(2008: HUMAN SERVICES: Well-Being: Community Development)