Download a printable version - Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston

TimelineEarly December 2012Mid-January 2013January to Early FebruaryEarly FebruaryMid-FebruaryMid-February to MarchMid-AprilLate April/Early MayRecruitment of students anddevelopment sponsorsDeveloper registrationStudent registrationIntroductory sessions withstudents and developmentsponsors to form teamsCompetition kick-offSeminars on affordablehousing – TBAProposals dueAwards ceremonySponsorsThe Federal Home LoanBank of Boston is a wholesalebank that facilitates andenhances the availability ofcredit for housing and economicgrowth for low- andmoderate-income familiesin New England. The Bankpromotes housing financeand neighborhood developmentby providingits members with low-costfunds, special lendingprograms, liquidity, andtechnical assistance.fhlbboston.comKevin P. Martin & Associates,P.C. is a nationally recognizedpublic accountingand business-consulting firmserving a diverse for-profitand nonprofit client base,including an array of CDCsand real-estate syndication,development, and managementcompanies. KPM hasextensive experience workingwith low-income housingtax-credit properties andprojects funded under HUDand various state programs.Our experience, knowledge,and network help clientsplan, capitalize, complete,and manage projects, regardlessof the economy.With development costswell into the billions, ourclients have built and managedmore than 500,000apartment units and millionsof square feet of commercialspace.kpm-us.comThe Boston Society ofArchitects is a membershipand cultural organizationthat works to enhance theunderstanding of architecture,design, and community-building.As one ofthe American Institute ofArchitects’ largest and mostactive chapters, we encouragestudents to participatein our events, programs, andcommittees. BSA studentaffiliate membership is opento all full-time students. Wewelcome everyone to tapinto our vibrant design community,enjoy exhibits andprograms on architecture,and to make life-long personalconnections.architects.orgBoston-based ICONarchitecture, inc., a womenownedfirm with 35 staff,provides award-winning workfocused on sustainable urbandevelopment, housing,and education architecture.Our mission of ”shapingwhere you want to be” resultsin innovative approachesto contemporary livingand education environments.iconarch.comCitizens’ Housing andPlanning Association is thenonprofit umbrella organizationfor affordable housingand community developmentactivities in Massachusetts.Encouraging theproduction and preservationof housing for low-incomefamilies and individuals,CHAPA advocates with governmentofficials; providesresearch, education andtraining; and works to buildconsensus among broadinterests in the field.chapa.orgThirteenth AnnualGreater BostonAffordable HousingDevelopment CompetitionSponsored byContactsFor more information on the competition, please call Tobi Goldberg or Theo Noell of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Bostonat 617-292-9600; Karen Wiener of CHAPA at 617-742-0820; or student organizers, Regina Yang, ryyang@gsd.harvard.edu,Susie Chung, schung@gsd.harvard.edu, and Tessa Perry, tperry@gsd.harvard.edu.Information and applications are also available at www.fhlbboston.com/compete.The Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston • Kevin P. Martin & Associates, P.C. • Boston Society of Architects/AIAICON architecture, inc. • Citizens’ Housing and Planning Association

Thirteenth AnnualGreater Boston Affordable HousingDevelopment CompetitionAbout the competitionThe need for affordable housing inGreater Boston has dramaticallygrown in the past several years. Dueto market pressures and changes inthe economy, increasing the supplyof housing and maintaining existingunits have become regional priorities.Affordability often eludes middle-incomeearners such asteachers, firefighters, and policeofficers. In addition, policymakers,cities, and towns are discussinghousing density as a way to addressproblems associated with sprawldevelopment and improve the vitalityof communities.Now in its thirteenth year, the competitionis designed to focus a newgeneration of thinkers on these veryissues. By matching graduate studentswith professionals, the competitionprovides the opportunity tocombine classroom experience withreal-world practice in affordablehousingdevelopment. The competitionintegrates a wide range ofacademic subjects and innovativeideas to spark new interest in thehousing issues affecting GreaterBoston. Students learn the multilevelprocess of design and productionand the value of partneringwith housing organizations toaddress the need for affordablehousing.The sponsors are pleased tocontinue their support of the competitionin 2013.Last Year’s SuccessGraduate students in architecture,business, law, planning, and publicpolicy from Boston ArchitecturalCollege, Harvard University, MassachusettsInstitute of Technology,Northeastern University, and TuftsUniversity formed five teams todevelop sites in Boston, Holyoke,Lowell, and Salem, Massachusetts.Each plan, customized to its locationand unique issues, demonstrateda strong commitment todeveloping affordable housing. Thecompetition also sponsored seminarsrelated to affordable-housingdevelopment to help studentsprepare their proposals. Similarseminars will be offered in 2013.Last Year’s WinnersFirst PlaceGeneva Exchange will transforma vacant, one-acre vacant lot inthe Grove Hall neighborhood ofBoston, Massachusetts. The proposalincludes 45 affordable unitswith 15 percent designated forhouseholds making 30 percent AMIor less, 49 percent making 60 percentAMI or less, and 36 percentfor seniors living on Social Securitybenefits. The project also includesmany community enhancementssuch as an industrial arts center,nonprofit business incubator, musicstudio, and a commercial kitchenand café.Second PlaceLyman Gardens is a lively re-imaginationof healthy, accessible, andaffordable urban living in Holyoke.Lyman Gardens proposes to provide140 affordable rental units,as well as 25,000 square feet ofground-level retail space and a5,000 square foot community center.The project features a mix ofbuilding types and unit sizes customizedto the demography andneeds of Holyoke residents. LymanGardens seeks to empower itsresidents, encouraging physical,economic, and social connectionswith the community.Third PlaceMillicent Place is a mixed-use,affordable-housing developmentlocated in a Boston revitalizationdistrict. Millicent Place consists ofthree distinct parts. The initiative includesthe construction of 162 market-rateand affordable rental units;ground-floor retail space; library,performance, and event spaces inthe former Holy Trinity Church; andopen space for outdoor events anda community garden on historicLucas Street.Development OrganizationsDevelopers provide a site, informationalmaterials, and assistancewith composing proposals. Eachsite has been under considerationfor housing development, givingthe development partner a professionalstake in the final submission.Last year’s developers wereArchitectural Heritage Foundation,Asian Community DevelopmentCorporation, Caribbean IntegrationCommunity, Inc., Holyoke HousingAuthority, and North Shore CommunityDevelopment Coalition.MentorsThe following served as financementors in 2012: Bank of AmericaMerrill Lynch, Brookline Bank,Eastern Bank, and Enterprise Bankand Trust Company.Last year’s design mentors includedBoston Architectural College, DavisSquare Architects, ICON architecture,inc., and The Narrow GateAlternatives in Architecture, LLP.Faculty AdvisorsFaculty advisors include professors,department heads, and programcoordinators who provide resourceswithin their schools and expertisethroughout the process.PrizesCash prizes of $10,000 (first place),$6,000 (second place), and $3,000(third place) will be awarded forproposals that best meet the judgingcriteria. Each award will beequally divided between the developerand the winning team. Forexample, the first place prize pays$5,000 each to the developer andthe students. The awards are intendedto encourage the future designand conception of affordablehousing in the Boston area.The ProcessStudents and development sponsorscome together for a series ofsessions that describe the logisticsof the competition and assist withthe formation of the teams. Studentteams have one week to establish aworking relationship with their developmentsponsor, and thereafterteams have two months to producean affordable-housing plan tailoredto their site. Each team of students,faculty, and sponsors is responsiblefor creating a working timeline.A commitment of about 15 hoursper week is expected and coursecredit may be granted, dependingon school policies. Each team willreceive a stipend of $300 for expensesrelated to the competition.The final proposals will be printedat the Federal Home Loan Bank ofBoston at no cost to participants.FormatThe competition brings togetherstudents from diverse academicbackgrounds and interests. Eachteam must include representativesfrom at least two schools, and memberscover the range of disciplinesrequired by the proposal. Eachteam pairs with a development organization,responsible for providinga feasible design site andinformation on that location, and afaculty advisor who provides guidance.Teams create a rehabilitationor development plan for their site.Plans must reserve 40 percent oftheir units for households earning amaximum of 60 percent of AMI, andmust also address a variety of otheraspects, including:• Site-acquisition strategies• Design• Housing density• Community-participation plans• Financial analyses• Smart-growth and sustainabledevelopmentprinciples• Zoning and regulatory approvals• Operation details• Environmental analyses• Property-management strategies• Market studiesThe finished product, modeled aftera professional proposal, is judgedby a panel of interdisciplinary housingand community-developmentauthorities.Judging Criteria20% Project financing20% Physical design20% Responsiveness to communityneeds20% Environmental sensitivity10% Feasibility of plan10% InnovationJudgingA panel of professionals fromGreater Boston judges the proposals.Using explicitly definedstandards, each plan is carefullyanalyzed for feasibility, creativity,and ingenuity.Academic CreditSome participants receive academiccredit for the competition, dependingon their school’s policy. Otherstudents participate in lieu of a finalpaper or thesis project.Participating Schools (to date)Babson College • Boston Architectural College • Boston University • Emerson CollegeHarvard University • Massachusetts Institute of Technology • Northeastern UniversityTufts University • University of Massachusetts, Boston • Wentworth Institute of TechnologyWho Competes?Graduate students from all Boston-area colleges and universities arewelcome to participate.