Jamaica Plain Apartments  is an invaluable housing resource in the Commonwealth with 103 family-sized affordable rental units in 11 buildings scattered across Jamaica Plain, Roxbury and

Resident Involvement    JP Apartments has an active resident association and members of this association as well as other residents living in JP Apartments have been involved in this project from the beginning.

• Urban Edge has had meetings with JP Apartments residents to provide renovation updates and get feedback from all residents in attendance. Urban Edge also distributed resident surveys to find out the issues and concerns of residents that need to be addressed as part of the renovation.

• Since October 2007, Urban Edge has been meeting with the building captains on a monthly basis to provide updates and also receive feedback from the residents regarding the project. At least one resident from all 11 buildings have volunteered to be building captains. In turn, building captains update residents living in their buildings and distribute all necessary information.

• Urban Edge has committed to holding “green” educational workshops for JP Apartments regarding healthy housing practices and the impact of new energy efficient features of the buildings. We had our first educational workshop in May 2008 regarding indoor air quality, green cleaning and healthy housing with great success.

Energy Savings Plan – One of the driving forces behind the renovation plans is the skyrocketing utility costs at JP Apartments. The renovation work includes exterior wall insulation, inter-floor insulation, air sealing at the roofs and basements, and new heating systems. These upgrades will result in an estimated 35% reduction in gas and water consumption costs, which will save the property approximately $114,000 per year (over $1,100/unit). These utility savings allows JP Apartments to carry approximately $1.4 million in additional debt. This additional debt will cover 70% of the cost of the energy savings plan, estimated at $2 million. 

Indoor Air Quality – Addressing indoor air quality is a top priority of the renovation as a result of moisture and mold problems throughout most of the buildings. We plan to install high-efficiency exhaust fans, gut renovate the bathrooms, remove un-vented washing machines and dryers from apartments, and install common laundry facilities to significantly improve the indoor air quality at JP Apartments.

Code/Building Integrity –Renovation will need to bring the property up to today’s building code which includes five (5) accessible units, sprinkler system and fire protection system upgrades, and substantial masonry and structural work.

Investment Funding  Urban Edge is now in the process of gathering the remaining funding required for the preservation and renovation of JP Apartments.  To date, we have received funding commitments from:
o City of Boston - Neighborhood Housing Trust and HOME funds
o Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development -  Low Income Housing Tax Credits, Housing Stabilization Funds and HOME funds
o Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston - Affordable Housing Program
o Massachusetts Historical Commission - Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credits
o Enterprise Green Communities Grant program
o Home Depot Foundation
o NeighborWorks® America

Status We anticipate completing the project financing this spring and starting construction soon thereafter.

For more information, Contact Zoe Weinrobe, Project Manager at 617-989-9315.