70 of the units in the building will be set-aside as permanent supportive housing for those experiencing homelessness
BOSTON, Sept. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As a matter of human dignity, it starts with the provision of safe quality housing, which serves as a foundation in all aspects of life. The stability of housing, combined with case management, job training, life skills, counseling and other support services, leads not only to healthier individuals but stronger, safer communities. The bottom line is, Massachusetts needs a variety of housing types to serve the diverse needs of our residents. The Planning Office for Urban Affairs (POUA) and St. Francis House (SFH) are proud to welcome residents to the newly complete 41 LaGrange Street, which welcomes folks coming out of homelessness – with wraparound services, and workforce and low-income families and individuals, into 126 units of housing in the heart of downtown Boston.
“Seeing our new residents receive the keys to their forever homes at 41 LaGrange Street is one of the most profoundly moving moments in the history of St. Francis House. This beautiful residential tower is so much more than a building; it represents dignity, long-term stability, and a true fresh start,” shared St. Francis House President and CEO Karen LaFrazia. “I am filled with immense pride today, and I carry a deep, heartfelt gratitude for our visionary partners, most especially our partners at the Planning Office for Urban Affairs, our supporters, and staff who worked so tirelessly alongside us to bring this dream to life.”
“We believe that everyone deserves a place to call home, regardless of their income, background, or circumstances and that a lack of housing is one of the structural causes of poverty and community instability, and we must work together to effectuate change,” said Bill Grogan, President of the Planning Office for Urban Affairs. “We are grateful to amplify the impact of our affordable housing developments by partnering with service providers like St. Francis House, to provide much-needed permanent supportive and workforce housing in a neighborhood of Boston that has become unaffordable to most of its community.”
41 LaGrange Street is comprised of studio, one- and two-bedroom units. The unit mix consists of 68 studios, 21 one-bedroom units and 37 two-bedroom units. Seventy units are set-aside as permanent supportive housing for those experiencing homelessness; the residents of these units will benefit from case management and supportive services provided by St. Francis House. The balance of the 56 units will be targeted to workforce and middle-income households, thereby creating an integrated and diverse community. These remaining units will be restricted to occupants making less than 30% of area median income (“AMI”); two units will be leased at less than 50% AMI; 19 units will be leased at less than 60% AMI; and 35 units will be leased at less than 80% AMI.
“Everyone deserves a safe, stable place to call home, and this project demonstrates what’s possible when we come together around that shared goal,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “These 126 new homes will offer residents the stability, support, and resources they need to build a stronger future. We are deeply grateful to the St. Francis House staff and team for their leadership in making this project a reality and for taking this important step to address the urgent need for affordable housing.”
“Massachusetts residents thrive when they have housing that meets their needs,” said Secretary Juana Matias of the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities. “At 41 LaGrange Street, residents will have not only a safe, stable home, but access to services like job training and case management that can help them build greater stability and opportunity. The Healey-Driscoll Administration is proud to partner on this development and to welcome its newest residents home.”
This project was made possible with funding from the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities; MassHousing Finance Agency; Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation; the City of Boston’s Mayor’s Office of Housing, and Neighborhood Housing Trust; Boston Housing Authority; Bank of America; and The Life Initiative.
“41 LaGrange Street represents the City of Boston’s continued commitment to expanding affordable housing opportunities for residents across every neighborhood,” said Sheila A. Dillon, Chief of Housing. “By combining affordable housing with comprehensive supportive services, this development creates lasting stability for residents while helping us build a more equitable Boston where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.”
“MassHousing is excited for the residents of 41 LaGrange St. who have brand new apartment homes with an array of support services that will help them live and thrive in this new housing community in Chinatown,” said MassHousing CEO Chrystal Kornegay. “We were pleased to partner with POUA and St. Francis House in developing this mixed-income community that will allow its residents to live with dignity in safe, quality housing.”
About St. Francis House
Located in the heart of Boston, St. Francis House is the largest day shelter in Massachusetts, providing refuge and pathways to stability for more than 7,000 adults experiencing homelessness and poverty each year. Now in its 40th year, the nonprofit organization has enabled individuals to meet their basic needs for food, clothing, and shelter and transformed lives through a holistic approach to understanding and addressing behavioral health, housing, and employment needs. Its unique offerings include Next Step Housing, Room to Grow Recovery Support Center and the Moving Ahead Program. St. Francis House is a welcoming and inclusive community that is committed to helping its guests achieve renewed lives of dignity and self-determination. To learn more, visit stfrancishouse.org.
About the Planning Office for Urban Affairs
Established in 1969 by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston, the Planning Office for Urban Affairs, Inc. (POUA) is a non-profit social justice ministry that strives to create vibrant communities through the development of high quality affordable and mixed income housing, where people of modest means can live with dignity and respect in homes they can afford. As a foremost non-profit developer in the Northeast and one of the leading diocesan housing ministries for the Catholic Church in America, POUA has nearly 3,000 units of affordable and mixed-income housing, providing homes for more than 11,000 people and becoming one of the most productive non-profit housing developers in the region. Altogether, this work represents developments with financing more than $650 million. The emphasis of POUA is not on numbers, though, but on having a qualitative impact on the harsh reality of housing deprivation for poor and working-class families, the elderly, disabled persons and others in need of decent, affordable homes.
To learn more, visit https://poua.org/.
Contacts:
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Andrew Russell – St. Francis House |
Lois Alksninis – POUA |
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SOURCE St Francis House
