Mayor Tom Menino, Honan's parents and U.S. Rep. Michael Capuano, D-8th, were among the many present at the ribbon-cutting of the Brian J. Honan Apartments in Allston, the first affordable housing in 15 years. (Staff photo by Kate Flock)

What took you so long?
By Auditi Guha/ Staff Writer
Friday, September 30, 2005

Green backyards, busy porches, delicious smells and children playing in the new playground have given a facelift to a section of Everett Street that was once a vacant lot and a Legal Sea Foods warehouse.

City, state and federal officials and residents gathered in the rain Friday, under a canopy set up in the courtyard, of the 50 units built at 31-57 Everett St. to celebrate the neighborhood's first affordable housing in 15 years.

Developed by the Allston Brighton Community Development Corp., the nine-building Brian J. Honan Apartments has been named after the late district city councilor, who died in 2002 and was an advocate for affordable housing in Allston-Brighton.

"It's great to be here to celebrate this grand opening," said Mayor Tom Menino, who cut the ribbon. "I can't think of a better tribute to my friend Brian Honan than to provide families with a safe, secure and affordable place to call home."

New resident Rachel Gonzalez is delighted with hers - a two-bedroom duplex that she shares with her two kids.

"Everybody here is very friendly and family-oriented," she said. "We are always cooking different foods, sharing different languages, there's so much diversity - I love it."

New owners love it

A Brighton resident from two blocks away, she is pleased to have a new home and even a small yard.

On her back porch is a raffia umbrella and table, which she likes to use for cookouts. The first floor houses the living room, dining space and kitchen with windows on all three sides, and the bedrooms are on the second floor.

Completed in June after a year of construction, most of the rental units are occupied, said Michael Baldwin, senior property manager of Maloney Properties Inc.

The project consists of 11 one-bedroom units, 29 two-bedroom units, and 10 three-bedroom units in an attractive, well-landscaped setting that includes designated parking, a playground behind the property and many other amenities.

Five units are set aside for homeless families, and four units are handicapped accessible.

All of the apartments are affordable to households at or below 60 percent of the area median income, and range from approximately $500 to $1,100 per two-bedroom unit, as per household income.

"This is the kind of housing development that strengthens and transforms a neighborhood," said Charlotte Golar Richie, chief and director of the Department of Neighborhood Development. "This is housing that anyone would be proud to call home."

Townhouses planned

The Allston Brighton CDC bought the industrial property in 2002 with the intention of demolishing the existing structures and creating new townhouses that reflect the existing residential architecture in the surrounding neighborhood, and improve the quality of life of the residents.

"Today we honor Brian Honan's memory and celebrate the completion of an affordable housing complex," said Bob Van Meter, CDC executive director.

 State Rep. Kevin Honan, D-Brighton, thanked the community for their support and the dedication, on behalf of the Honan family.

"This is one of the most fitting tributes to my brother Brian - a true son of this neighborhood," he said. "He felt very passionately about affordable and accessible housing. For Brian, it wasn't just about giving people a place to live, but about the dignity of a place to call home."

Funding for the Brian J. Honan Apartments was provided by the city of Boston ($1 million Leading the Way funds and $500,000 from the Neighborhood Housing Trust), Boston Redevelopment Authority ($250,000), Harvard University ($2.8 million), Massachusetts Affordable Housing Trust ($1 million), DHCD ($750,000 HOME funds), Aegon, Realty Inc. ($5.8 million Low Income Housing Tax Credit equity), Massachusetts Housing Partnership ($3.2 million permanent loan that includes Home Funders), and Bank of America ($7.2 million construction loan).

Menino and Honan were joined by U.S. Rep. Michael Capuano, D-8th; Kevin McCluskey of Harvard University; Jane Gumble from the Department of Housing and Community Development; Robert Gallery of Bank of America; Clark Ziegler of Massachusetts Housing Partnership; members of the Honan family; and residents.

Posters and pictures of the new project were put up in the courtyard.