Mayor Michelle Wu and the Boston Architectural Association announce the launch of a request for proposals for new housing development inspired by Triple Decker

The RFP seeks development partners for two vacant city-owned parcels of land to support piloting innovative models of inland housing development

Mayor Michelle Wu, the Mayor’s Housing Innovation Lab (iLab), and the Boston Architectural Association (BSA) today issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) titled “Co-Create Boston’s Future-Decker Project,” inviting development teams to submit multifamily housing Proposals for one or both city-owned parcels in Dorchester (379 Geneva Street) and Mattapan (569 River Street). Applicants are asked to propose developments that address Boston’s unmet need for “missing middle” housing for developments between six and 15 units through the use of innovative design, construction methods, and/or materials.

“It will take every bit of creativity and collaboration to address Boston’s urgent housing crisis and ensure we are building a city for everyone,” he said. Mayor Michelle Wu. “I’m excited to see more ideas and partnerships to move faster to create affordable homes in our neighborhoods.”

He said: “This initiative represents a step towards an innovative housing model that can redefine life in our city.” Sheila Dillon, Head of Housing. “Through a partnership between the Mayor’s Housing Innovation Lab and the Boston Architectural Association, we are embarking on a journey to explore new designs that will enable more housing to be built in Boston. This endeavor represents a moment where imagination meets reality, as we seek proposals to open The potential of “missing middle” housing, addressing our city’s growing demand for sustainable, adaptable and affordable living spaces.

The RFP is based on a Ask for ideas (RFI) released in 2021, which generated residential ideas inspired by Boston’s three-story, also known as three-story, an affordable housing model and replicable building type that was originally built on small sites. Responses to the RFI helped define five key RFP themes: adaptability and flexibility, living together, sustainability and health, materials and construction methods, and affordability.

Applicants can access the RFP on the Department of Health Request for proposals page on the Internet. The RFP deadline is February 14, 2024, and interested RFP participants can submit proposals virtually here.

In early 2024, iLab and BSA will present the ideas at a reception at BSA and invite responses and comments on joint submissions before selecting the winning development team.

Additionally, the Department of Health and BSA will host several events throughout the RFP period to assist potential applicants in the proposal submission process:

• Information and communication conference before the applicant: An in-person event will be held at BSA Space located at 290 Congress Street, Suite 200, Boston, MA 02210 on Wednesday, November 29, 2023, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Interested applicants will be provided with an overview of the application and development process; Information about the innovation focus of the RFP; Funding basics and financing options; And opportunities for networking and team building.To pre-register to attend, visit bit.ly/future-decker-pre-app.
• Networking session/site visits: An in-person session will be held at both locations included in the RFP on Friday, December 1, 2023, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. This will be an opportunity for potential developers, architects, development team members, community program operators, local businesses and community members to network. To pre-register to attend, visit bit.ly/future-decker-network-site-visit.
• Business hours/FAQs: The Department of Health and BSA will host two (2) virtual sessions for potential participants to attend. The first will be on Thursday, December 14, 2023, at 4:00pm – 6:00pm. To register to attend, visit bit.ly/future-decker-office-hours-december. The second is on Thursday, January 11, 2024, at 4:00 – 6:00 pm. To register to attend, visit bit.ly/future-decker-office-hours-january.

“At BSA, our goal is to improve the quality of life for Boston area residents by supporting innovation in the built environment,” he said. BSA President, Andrea Love TM. “By working collaboratively with the City of Boston and Mayor Wu through this RFP process, we hope to reimagine how small city lots are designed and developed to provide access to housing that middle-income families can afford and that reflects the change the city is experiencing.” needs.”

Visit boston.gov/buildinghousing/future-decker-initiative or boston.gov/future-deckers To learn more about the comprehensive initiative.

About the Housing Innovation Lab
The Housing Innovation Lab was established in 2015 as a first-of-its-kind effort to pilot and scale affordable housing innovations within municipal government. The iLab tests new approaches to housing policy and design to accelerate housing production and achieve affordability for all Bostonians. Taking a prototype-based approach to housing policy, iLab maintains a diverse range of projects, including Rent to own, Additional housing unitsAnd Housing with public assets, to try different ways to increase housing opportunities and affordability. The iLab is embedded within the Mayor’s Office of Housing (MOH).

For more information visit: Residential Innovation Lab.

About the Boston Architectural Association
The Boston Architectural Association (BSA) is focused on improving the quality of life for Boston area residents by supporting innovation in the built environment, with a particular focus on sustainability and social justice. To achieve this, BSA connects our diverse and passionate network of more than 4,500 architects, firms and allied members through collaborative initiatives that create solutions toward a more equitable and sustainable future. The BSA is one of the oldest and largest chapters of the American Institute of Architects (AIA). For more information about BSA, including donating to the BSA Foundation, visit architects.org.