The Community Builders, BHA Complete Mildred C. Hailey Phase One in Jamaica Plain, Delivering 223 Units and $3.95M in Workforce Funding

BOSTON — The Community Builders (TCB) and the Boston Housing Authority (BHA) have completed the first phase of the Mildred C. Hailey Apartments redevelopment in Jamaica Plain, delivering 223 new residential units across two buildings at 2 and 6 Lamartine Street. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu joined BHA, TCB, the Executive Office of Economic Development, MassHousing, and the Mildred C. Hailey Tenant Organization on June 24 to mark the completion and announce $3.95 million in new workforce development funding tied to the project.

Phase One Unit Mix and Community Amenities

The two buildings at 2 and 6 Lamartine Street contain 91 deeply affordable units and 132 affordable and moderate-income units. The project also delivers a new ground-floor commercial space and a community center named the Anna Mae Cole Center, honoring a tenant leader who dedicated her life to empowering residents in the Mildred C. Hailey community. The creation of Lamartine Street itself is intended to improve neighborhood connectivity for residents, families, and visitors.

"Today's ribbon cutting marks the completion of 223 new homes for Boston residents," said BHA Administrator Kenzie Bok. "And at the Boston Housing Authority, we know that building strong communities means investing not only in buildings but in people."

Andy Waxman, Senior Vice President of Real Estate Development for TCB, described the milestone as a reinvestment in a community with a proud history. "Through deep partnership and resident leadership, we've created 223 modern, energy-efficient homes while ensuring that longtime residents can remain and thrive," Waxman said. "With the reopening of the Anna Mae Cole Center and new spaces for connection and opportunity, this milestone reflects our shared commitment to building a more inclusive and connected Boston."

$3.95 Million in Workforce Development Funding

Alongside the ribbon cutting, Mayor Wu announced two workforce development investments totaling $3.95 million. A $250,000 grant from the Cummings Foundation will fund a new Opportunity Hub at Mildred C. Hailey, providing adult education, workforce training, and career support to proven-risk young adults and other eligible Boston residents. A separate $3.7 million award through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Jobs Plus Initiative will create three additional workforce training and career coaching sites at the BHA's Ruth Barkley, Alice Taylor, and Franklin Field communities.

"Cummings Foundation is delighted to support the Opportunity Hub, which will bring proven adult education, workforce training, and career support directly to the Mildred C. Hailey community," said Joyce Vyriotes, executive director of Cummings Foundation. "This initiative reflects the kind of practical, community-based investment that can help residents build skills, access opportunity, and move toward safer, more stable futures."

Partners supporting the workforce initiative include the BHA, the Office of Workforce Development, ABCD, Private Industry Council, Best Hospitality Training, Lisc Massachusetts, Building Pathways, New England Culinary Arts Training, PowerCorps, EMPath, Roxbury Community College, Santander Bank, Boston Medical Center, Whittier Street Health Center, the Boston Public Health Commission, and Greater Boston Legal Services.

Isaac Yablo, Senior Advisor for Community Safety and Director of Boston Public Health Commission's Office of Violence Prevention, said the investment connects to the city's broader population health equity agenda. "This brings resources directly to youth and young adults who deserve to see these types of investments in their immediate neighborhoods," Yablo said.

Financing and Development Partners

Public and quasi-public capital sources for the redevelopment include the Boston Housing Authority, the City of Boston, the Massachusetts Executive Office of Economic Development, and MassHousing. Additional financing details were not disclosed in the announcement.

"MassHousing is pleased to be part of this transformative redevelopment of the Mildred Hailey Apartments and is excited for the residents who now have quality, affordable rental homes," said MassHousing CEO Chrystal Kornegay.

Economic Development Secretary Eric Paley added that the Commonwealth invested in the project to support new affordable and workforce housing, community improvements, and workforce development opportunities. "This project demonstrates the impact of strong partnerships in creating opportunity for residents and strengthening communities," Paley said.

"Boston is taking every step to create more housing while expanding workforce opportunities for residents, and the Mildred C. Hailey project shows how we can do both through thoughtful redevelopment," Mayor Wu said. "As we continue to invest in new homes and reconnect this neighborhood, we're also investing in the supports that help residents move forward — with training and access to good jobs — so that this progress leads to lasting financial stability for families."