Two major Brookline housing projects could move a step closer to reality Tuesday as the Brookline Housing Authority considers nearly $180,000 in contracts tied to future affordable housing and apartment upgrades.
The Board of Commissioners will meet July 14 to vote on funding that would prepare the long-awaited Walnut High redevelopment and continue electrification work at High Street Veterans.
The largest item is a $92,821 contract to secure vacant buildings at Walnut High with fencing and boarding ahead of redevelopment.
The site is slated to become 96 new family affordable housing units, built to passive house energy-efficiency standards. Planning has been underway for more than a year, with the Housing Authority awaiting state funding before construction can begin.
The board will also consider $86,342 in change orders for the ongoing High Street Veterans electrification project.
The upgrades include:
- Replacing gas stoves with electric models
- Modernizing electrical service throughout the apartments
The project is part of the state's push to modernize public housing and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
The votes come just weeks after the Housing Authority celebrated the opening of 32 Marion St., a 115-unit senior housing development.
Executive Director Ben Stone called it "the first new housing BHA has built since 2015 and the largest affordable housing development in Brookline in almost 50 years."
Tuesday's meeting could mark another milestone as Brookline continues expanding and modernizing its affordable housing portfolio.
The meeting begins at 4:30 p.m. at 90 Longwood Ave. Residents can attend in person or via Zoom, and a public comment period is included on the agenda.
