BOSTON, Wednesday, February 28, 2024 — The City of Boston and the Allston Brighton Community Development Corporation proudly announce the successful acquisition and renovation of 15 affordable apartments with support services, and the renaming of the building as the William (Bill) E. McGonagle Recovery House. The investment in this building with supportive services, underscores the city's commitment to ensuring residents in recovery receive the housing and support they need as they recover.
 
The William E. McGonagale Recovery House, formerly an existing Licensed Lodging House building, has been renovated and converted into 15 units, with 14 designated as permanently affordable supportive housing units for extremely low-income individuals advancing through the addiction recovery process. The 15th unit is reserved for an on-site Recovery Resident Manager who will connect residents with required supportive services.
 
"The transformation of 6 Quint Ave into the William (Bill) E. McGonagle Recovery House represents a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to provide stable and supportive housing for those in need of services in addition to a home,” said Chief of Housing Sheila Dillon.  “This project not only preserves vital affordable supportive housing but also honors one of Boston’s finest public servants and my friend –  Bill McGonagle. His legacy of compassion and dedication to both the housing and recovery community live on."
 
“This is a wonderful tribute to a man who dedicated his life to service and left a towering legacy that continues to change the face of Boston to this day,” BHA Administrator Kenzie Bok said. “Bill was a mentor and a friend. His impact on the cause of affordable housing and on the sobriety community here in Boston cannot be overstated. I’m hopeful that this will be the first of many buildings and programs across Boston that will be dedicated in his honor.”
 
The renovated building was dedicated in honor of the memory of Bill McGonagle in appreciation of his tireless dedication to the goals of the recovery community and the creation and preservation of affordable housing throughout the City of Boston. Mr. McGonagle served the Boston Housing Authority for 40 years, leading the organization as its Administrator from 2009 to 2019.
 
The 15 acquired units will be maintained below-market rates, with 14 units at 30% Area Median Income (AMI) and one unit at 60% AMI, ensuring deep affordability.
 
“We are grateful to our many partners for making the completion of the renovations at 6 Quint Ave possible, and we look forward to operating this important property for residents who are continuing their recovery journey,” said Allston Brighton Community Development Corporation Executive Director John Wood.  We are pleased that this property is being dedicated to the memory of Bill McGongagle who understood the important role stable housing has in helping people reach their full potential.”
 
This preservation and renovation was made possible in part by various funding sources including the Mayor’s Office of Housing, the Neighborhood Housing Trust and the Community Preservation Fund to aid in acquiring, purchasing and renovating the building from a private owner. Other funding was contributed to the project by the Davis Company. The project also received funding from the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) to support the renovation. Additional project funders include BlueHub Capital, Charlesbank Homes Foundation, Eastern Bank, Eversource Low Income Multifamily Energy Retrofit Program, Housing Ministries of New England, and MassHousing. The Addiction Treatment Center of New England component of the redevelopment plans for the site was the award of 14 units of the Project-Based Section 8 Vouchers made available through the Boston Housing Authority (BHA).
 
About the Mayor’s Office of Housing (MOH)
The Mayor’s Office of Housing is responsible for housing people experiencing homelessness, creating and preserving affordable housing, and ensuring that renters and homeowners can obtain, maintain, and remain in safe, stable housing. The department develops and implements the City of Boston’s housing creation and homelessness prevention plans and collaborates with local and national partners to find new solutions and build more housing affordable to all, particularly those with lower incomes. For more information, please visit the MOH website.