MATTAPAN, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, and residents celebrated the grand opening of a new affordable housing community in Mattapan Tuesday.
The Loop at Mattapan Station is a six-story building developed on a vacant MBTA parking lot on River Street. It features 135 units, almost half of which are affordable to families making $70,100 or less.
"Almost 60 percent of households in Mattapan are rent burdened," Mayor Wu said Tuesday. "Meaning they are putting more than a third of their income just towards keeping a roof over their heads. That is a hard way to live."
The Loop's location next door to the Mattapan trolley stop, an MBTA bus stop, and a block away from the Commuter Rail also makes it convenient for residents accessing public transportation.
"Our residents don’t just deserve safe, affordable, and comfortable spaces, but housing that can get them right near transit to where they need to go," said Wu.
In addition to housing units, the complex also boasts a gym, community rooms, a basketball court, a roof deck, a bike room, an E-bike station, and 10,000 feet of retail space on its first floor. The first tenant to set up shop in The Loop is Daily Table, a nonprofit grocery chain that provides affordable food to underprivileged communities.
"With food insecurity rates and inflation at or near an all-time high, access to affordable nutrition for all is more important than ever," said Daily Table Founder and President Doug Rauch in a statement. "We are thrilled to have opened our fourth location here in Mattapan, where we will continue to deliver on our mission to provide freshly prepared meals, a broad selection of fresh fruits, veggies, meats and seafood, and grocery staples all at prices that are truly affordable for any budget and SNAP eligible."
Also breaking ground in Mattapan this week is the last phase of Olmsted Green, a mixed-income residential community on the grounds of the former Boston State Hospital.
WBZ's Kim Tunnicliffe (@KimWBZ) reports.
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