Inquilinos Boricuas en Acción secures $1.3 million in financing to renovate Residencia Betances

Residencia Betances, Shawmut Avenue - Boston, MA

Boston, MA  Inquilinos Boricuas en Acción (IBA) has secured financing from the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) to renovate Residencia Betances, a small housing development that serves low income individuals with serious mental health issues in the South End. 

IBA is responsible for making upgrades to the property, which is located on Shawmut Ave. and comprised of 11 single-room occupancy units. Enhancements are being made to the property’s historical brownstone exterior, and the interior is being revamped through upgrades to the common areas to create more of an open and welcoming floor plan, along with improvements to the individual units.

“We are proud to now be able to improve this meaningful property for our neighborhood,” said Vanessa Calderón-Rosado, CEO of IBA. “We want all of our community members to live in an atmosphere that provides the best care and supportive services so they can live quality lives, and this renovation will achieve that.”

“We are happy to finance such a unique and important property in the South End,” said undersecretary of Housing and Community Development Chrystal Kornegay. “We are proud that our involvement with IBA on this project dates back to 1990, and that we are now able to reinvest in this project, ensuring that it will be a part of the community for years to come. IBA’s deep-rooted history of providing high-quality living arrangements for its residents gives us confidence that in partnership with the Department of Mental Health this community will be getting everything they need to live fulfilling lives.”

The funds for this project come from DHCD’s Housing Preservation Stabilization and Facilities Consolidation funds, and in part by the Community Economic Development Assistance Corp. Renovations to the project began in January of this year and are expected to be completed in the fall.

A front-runner in affordable housing since 1968, IBA’s dedication to the local community and quality of resident services it provides, allow it to stand out amongst its peers. Created by a group of Puerto Rican activists, IBA grew out of the fight against displacement and has been continuing that mission ever since. The organization has preserved affordability amidst gentrification and rising property values in the South End, while increasing public safety and building community for the neighborhood.

Residencia Betances was originally developed by IBA in 1993, and is one of the few properties that serves the unique purpose of providing supportive housing to Spanish-speaking residents who are formerly homeless clients of the Department of Mental Health. IBA works with the department to ensure that residents have access to a range of supportive services that enable them to live successfully and optimize their overall health, wellness and recovery. A bilingual and bicultural support staff works around the clock with residents to handle treatments and further their rehabilitation goals. Additionally, the staff assists them with a wide range of services that include symptom management, community skill development, support with medication administration and health care appointments, meal preparation, and all residents are encouraged to partake in social, employment and wellness activities.

IBA – Inquilinos Boricuas en Acción - is a leading community development corporation and dynamic community builder that empowers individuals of all ages through vibrant affordable housing communities, education, workforce development and arts programs. For more than four decades, IBA has built an affordable, safe, healthy and supportive environment for diverse residents, while developing leaders. IBA has evolved into a driving force in the South End and across the city as a leading non-profit owner and developer of affordable housing.