Boston — The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced a $19,695,134 Public Housing Innovations Program grant award to the Boston Housing Authority for Phase 1 of the Faneuil Gardens redevelopment in Brighton. The Boston Housing Authority, in partnership with The Community Builders, will lead a multi-phase public/private effort to modernize the state-aided Faneuil Gardens public housing community. 

Phase 1 will replace all 81 apartments in the community with modernized units and add an additional 33 affordable apartments, for a total of 114 homes. The project consists of five phases, which, when completed will replace 258 public housing units with 445 total homes — adding 187 new affordable homes for households, modernizing existing units and creating new green and recreational spaces.   

“Faneuil Gardens shows what it means to invest in public housing the right way — creating new, modern and accessible homes for hundreds of members of our community and helping to lower costs for everyone,” said Governor Maura Healey. “With this Public Housing Innovations award, we’re delivering results for Boston residents today and building momentum for the larger redevelopment to come.” 

“This project pairs more homes with more open space. That’s a community-first design that strengthens the neighborhood and supports residents at every stage of life,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “We’re proud to partner with BHA, The Community Builders and the city of Boston to move Phase 1 across the finish line.” 

“Public housing gives thousands of individuals and families in Massachusetts a place they can truly call home,” said Secretary of Housing and Livable Communities Ed Augustus,. “For far too long, many of those homes became outdated due to underinvestment. Through key upgrades and complete redevelopments like Faneuil Gardens, the Healey-Driscoll Administration is improving our public housing communities so residents can live with pride and dignity.”  

“The renovation and addition of new state public housing units to our Brighton community builds on our work to make Boston a home for everyone,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “I’m proud to celebrate this major milestone for our Boston Housing Authority residents and grateful to the Healey-Driscoll administration, Majority Leader Mike Moran, and City Councilor Liz Breadon, whose partnership and commitment to affordable housing has made this project a reality.” 

“75 years ago, the commonwealth made an investment at Faneuil Gardens and laid the foundation for generations of families to live and thrive in the Brighton community,” said BHA Administrator Kenzie Bok. “Today, Massachusetts is once again investing in this community’s future. This funding will help to ensure that our residents enjoy the kind of safe, sustainable and healthy affordable housing that they deserve, while also bringing desperately needed additional new housing to this neighborhood. We are so grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration and Secretary Augustus for supporting this transformative project.” 

“Faneuil Gardens is home to families who have built deep connections and fostered a thriving community,” said Bart Mitchell, president and CEO of The Community Builders. “We are grateful to Governor Healey and Mayor Wu for leading administrations that are investing in the future of the Brighton neighborhood. With this funding, we will begin to transform Faneuil Gardens into modern, beautiful, affordable homes that preserve the fabric of the community. TCB is honored to work with residents, the Boston Housing Authority, and our partners as we build a stronger, brighter future together.” 

The grant is funded through the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities’ Public Housing Innovations Program. The Public Housing Innovations program partners with local housing authorities to modernize state-aided public housing through mixed-income and mixed-finance redevelopment, shifting state-run public housing to federal control where appropriate and strategically using tax credits to add new affordable homes.  

Following decades of underfunding, the Healey-Driscoll Administration has increased resources to update and modernize the state’s public housing system, which includes more than 43,000 state-supported public housing units. In 2024, Governor Healey signed the $5 billion Affordable Homes Act, including $2 billion in authorizations for capital improvements to state-aided public housing. The administration budgeted $157 million in fiscal 2025 for capital improvements to public housing — a 29 percent increase over the previous year. 

That commitment is already showing results across Massachusetts. Last week, the administration joined the Worcester Housing Authority to break ground on Phase 2 of the Curtis Apartments redevelopment and tour the nearly complete Phase 1. Over four phases, the current 1950s-era brick public housing buildings will be demolished and replaced with 527 units in new, modern, energy efficient buildings that better meet the current needs and living standards of families today. Phase 2 will also add a Worcester Public Library branch on site.  

Statements of Support 

House Majority Leader Michael Moran:  

"This state funding represents a meaningful investment in families and affordable housing access. The Faneuil Gardens redevelopment will positively impact not just the residents who live there, but our entire community." 

Senator Will Brownsberger:  

“I’m delighted about the Faneuil Gardens Public Housing Innovation Award and the ability to move forward on Phase One of this important redevelopment project.  I am looking forward to the years ahead of continued dedication, hard work and partnerships that will improve the quality of life of the residents of Faneuil Gardens and open opportunities for new neighbors to join this wonderful community.” 

Boston City Councilor Liz Breadon:  

"Faneuil Gardens is a vital part of the Brighton neighborhood and is home to a diverse, intergenerational community that includes families, children, and seniors. With this funding from EOHLC, I am thrilled that the much-needed redevelopment of Faneuil Gardens will advance and that the Healey-Driscoll administration continues to invest in the preservation and creation of high-quality affordable housing. I would like to thank the residents of Faneuil Gardens for their essential work throughout this redevelopment process. I also want to express appreciation for my fellow elected officials and their continued advocacy for this project.”