Description

At a time when so many companies are struggling to hire and retain workers, employers should be paying special attention to a proposed housing project at 78 Crafts Street in Newtonville. The development would replace a 4.76-acre ramshackle site (see what it looks like today) with 307 units of needed apartments, within walking distance of the MBTA Commuter rail, Whole Foods, shops, restaurants, and many jobs. 

That’s not why employers should pay special attention to 78 Crafts Street. 

The main reason is that it would provide 62 homes for individuals or families at 50% of the AMI, something that’s both all too rare and important for many employees and future employees. Boylston Properties is looking to develop the project under the state’s 40B affordable housing law. That should make its approval path easier. But the one thing that’s been missing from the public hearings for this project is the voice of the business community saying that this project is uniquely important to local hiring.