Boston Mayor Michelle Wu has announced the City’s annual Request for Proposals (RFP) aimed at fostering affordable housing, featuring a significant investment of $40 million.
This initiative is designed to support the creation and preservation of affordable housing throughout the city.
The funding will be managed through the Mayor’s Office of Housing (MOH), combining resources from the annual operating appropriation, the Community Preservation Act Fund (CPA), and the Neighborhood Housing Trust (NHT).
Non-profit and for-profit developers are invited to apply for funds allocated for rental, cooperative, and supportive housing projects.
Notably, $4 million specifically targets the development and preservation of supportive housing for unsheltered individuals and the aging population.
This funding effort aligns with Mayor Wu’s commitment to making Boston a more inclusive home for all residents.
“With housing costs continuing to rise, our focus is on ensuring that every Boston resident has access to stable, affordable homes,” said Mayor Wu.
“This $40 million investment will enable us to support a diverse range of housing projects, from preserving at-risk developments to building new units for those most in need, while also ensuring that Boston remains a city where families of all backgrounds can thrive.”
The Mayor’s Office of Housing, together with the Community Preservation Committee and the Neighborhood Housing Trust, plans to emphasize several key priorities for potential proposals.
These priorities include utilizing City-owned land and providing a mix of unit levels that cater to extremely low-income households to those in the middle-income bracket.
Moreover, proposals should include housing options for older residents, veterans, individuals with disabilities, youth aging out of foster care, and artists.
There is also an emphasis on building or preserving affordable housing in neighborhoods that struggle with affordability issues.
The City aims to reduce development costs and leverage both public and private funding efficiently.
Chief of Housing Sheila Dillon stated, “We are committed to ensuring Boston is a place where everyone—regardless of income—can have a home.”
“This funding round supports a variety of housing options, from cooperative developments to supportive housing for our seniors and those in need of services.
Helping Bostonians become and remain stably housed creates stronger neighborhoods and a stronger city for all of us.”
City Council President Ruthzee Louijeune echoed the sentiment, noting, “From Eastie to Mattapan, residents tell us housing issues are their number one concern.”
She added, “This $40 million commitment to expand and preserve affordability is exactly the kind of action we need to meet this moment, whereby we are keeping our families and neighbors in Boston.”
Councilor Enrique Pepén also expressed enthusiasm about the initiative, remarking, “I am excited to see the potential homes for our city’s most vulnerable residents from these proposals.
This $40 million allocation shows our true commitment to building more housing opportunities for Boston’s long-standing and new families.”
The announcement builds on the City of Boston’s continuous efforts to create additional affordable housing options.
In her first three years in office, Mayor Wu has overseen the creation of over 5,600 income-restricted housing units and initiated construction on nearly 18,000 total housing units, setting a record in affordable housing development.
To expedite affordable housing development, Mayor Wu also issued an executive order that has successfully cut review and permitting times by more than 25 percent.
This ordinance is part of a broader strategy that includes providing unprecedented financial support from the City for mixed-income affordable housing and conducting audits on public land to maximize its use for developing affordable projects.
Further efforts include incentivizing transformations of office spaces to residential housing in Boston’s downtown area and actively collaborating with development teams, particularly focusing on opportunities for women and minority-owned businesses (MWBEs).
Development projects are already underway in various neighborhoods, including Chinatown, Charlestown, Mattapan, Roxbury, East Boston, and Brighton.
The City has also updated policies such as Linkage and Inclusionary Zoning, promoting the creation of affordable housing through private market engagement.
“Affordable housing is more than just providing shelter—it’s the foundation for strong, vibrant communities,” commented Thadine Brown, Director of the Community Preservation Office.
“Through these funds, we can continue to bridge gaps, prevent displacement, and create pathways to opportunity for Boston residents.”
Sal Colombo, President and Executive Director of the East Boston Community Development Corporation, acknowledged the crucial role the City’s support plays in facilitating community organizations to leverage additional funding.
He said, “With this year’s $40 million funding round, Boston is continuing to lead the way in addressing our most pressing housing challenges.”
The City encourages developers to incorporate universal design principles for accessibility and to construct energy-efficient and fossil fuel-free buildings, which aligns with Boston’s commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.
Important dates for interested developers include a deadline for letters of intent on August 22, 2025, and full proposals due by September 19, 2025.
Developers looking to apply are advised to register for the Applicants Conference, submit their letters of intent by the stated deadline, and consult the full RFP package available online at boston.gov/housing/requests-proposals.
The Mayor’s Office of Housing is dedicated to preventing homelessness and ensuring affordable housing access, working with local and national partners to develop solutions focused on low-income families and vulnerable community members.
For more information about the City’s housing policies and initiatives, visit boston.gov/housing.
The Community Preservation Act (CPA), embraced by Boston voters in 2016, channels property tax surcharges into funding for affordable housing, historic preservation, and open space projects, with all plans requiring approval from the Community Preservation Committee and the City.
image source from：boston
