Democrats Promote South Boston Development As Model For National Public Housing

Boston may be one of the priciest housing markets in the country, but politicians are pointing to a South Boston public housing development as a national model for affordability. 

Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA), Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) and Boston Mayor Martin Walsh joined Rep. Steven Lynch (D-MA) Tuesday at the Anne M. Lynch Homes at Old Colony, named for the South Boston congressman’s mother, to unveil a national proposal for public housing. The plan, called A Better Deal for Public Housing & Ladders of Opportunity for American Families, looks to invest $70B over five years to improve public housing nationwide, the New Boston Post reports.  

Lynch grew up in the 16-acre development when it was known as the Old Colony Housing Development, which was in severe decay until a mix of local, state and federal funds were used to begin a $135M, multiyear renovation in 2011. It has since been renamed, and the group of Democrats think it can be replicated elsewhere to give economic opportunities to residents.

“There are too many people in this country today that work full time, or even multiple jobs, and still struggle to keep a roof over their heads," Lynch said. "There are basic investments we should be making now to ensure that future generations have the opportunity to grow up in a stable, safe and decent place. A lot of people in Washington talk about public housing as just another government program. For my five sisters and me and our mom and dad, it was our home. We would have been out on the street without it. Public housing saved us.”