The Brookline Housing Authority's Board of Commissioners approved more than $1.3 million in capital contracts at its Tuesday, Aug. 11 meeting, according to the meeting agenda, greenlighting stairwell repairs at High Street Veterans, additional renovation work at Egmont and Trustman apartments, and nearly $300,000 in engineering services that move the planned 181-unit redevelopment at 10 Walnut Street closer to construction.

The largest single award went to Homer Contracting, Inc.: $807,000 for a stairwell railing painting and infill guard project at High Street Veterans. The board also approved a $219,858.91 change order with HJ Russell & Co. covering hallway and window renovation work at Egmont and Trustman.

For the 10 Walnut Street redevelopment, known as Walnut High Apartments, commissioners authorized two contracts totaling $296,250. McPhail Associates will perform geotechnical and environmental engineering for $216,250, and NV5 will serve as commissioning agent for up to $80,000. The awards authorize site investigation and building-systems planning for the transit-oriented project, which would add 37 units at or below 30% of area median income and 144 units at 30–50% AMI in Brookline Village. The project, designed by Utile Architecture, is pursuing Passive House certification and will be 100% electric.

The board also approved a $10,500 fee amendment to Shekar Engineering for a fire alarm upgrade at High Street Veterans, and endorsed applications for state HILAPP (High Leverage Asset Preservation Program) funding to match the town's CPA FY27 awards for High Street Veterans window replacement and Trustman roof replacement.

Separately, commissioners approved updates to the BHA's Section 8 Administrative Plan to reflect changes required by the Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act. HUD will begin enforcing HOTMA's revised income and asset rules for most public housing agencies on Jan. 1, 2027, changing how tenant eligibility and rent are calculated for federally subsidized housing.

BHA Executive Director Ben Stone has emphasized the importance of capital funding for the authority's aging properties. "The town's been generous with the CDBG funding, allowing us to do great things with resident services and fixing up sites," Stone said in a July 27 Brookline.News report about potential federal funding risk under the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act.

The board entered executive session to discuss collective bargaining terms with AFSCME Council 93, Local 1358. No public action was reported from that session.

The next BHA Board of Commissioners meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 8 at 4:30 p.m.