Opens New England’s Largest Supportive Housing Community
Pine Street Inn, New England’s largest homeless services organization, and The Community Builders (TCB), a national developer of affordable housing, have announced the grand opening of “The Lyndia,” a transformative 202-unit building in Boston’s Jamaica Plain neighborhood. This milestone development includes 140 apartments designated for individuals transitioning out of homelessness and 62 units for income-eligible families. The 140 supportive housing units make it the largest development of its kind in New England, offering a crucial solution to the region’s growing housing crisis.
At a ribbon-cutting ceremony, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu joined leaders from Pine Street Inn and TCB, as well as state and city officials, representatives from RODE Architects, and other public and private partners, to celebrate the opening alongside tenants and community members. The newly completed building, located at 3368 Washington Street, is named in honor of Lyndia Downie, who has dedicated her 40-year career to ending homelessness, including the last 25 years as president and executive director of Pine Street Inn.
“3368 Washington Street represents our unwavering commitment to ensuring every Bostonian has a safe, stable place to call home,” said Mayor Wu. “With supportive services on-site and a strong community network, these new apartments provide a foundation for residents to rebuild their lives. I am grateful to our partners and the community for making this vision a reality.”
Chris Thompson, Undersecretary of Housing Stabilization at the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts in tackling homelessness: “Everyone has a role to play in meeting our housing needs in Massachusetts. Partners like Pine Street Inn and The Community Builders embody our mission of ensuring homelessness is rare, brief, and non-recurring. I am grateful for the new housing being created here for formerly homeless and low-income individuals.”
The Lyndia is designed to address the increasing need for large-scale supportive housing in Boston. Designed by RODE Architects, a Boston-based firm, the building fosters a welcoming, community-oriented atmosphere for both individuals and families. The project is a model for future supportive housing developments, demonstrating how public-private collaboration and community support can create sustainable housing solutions.
“The opening of this new building marks a milestone for Pine Street Inn, bringing our total to more than 1,000 units of housing – 1,100 to be exact – for people moving out of homelessness,” said Lyndia Downie. “This development, offering 140 supportive housing units, is the largest of its kind in New England. Together with The Community Builders, we are creating a space where people can rebuild their lives, supported by dedicated staff committed to ensuring their stability and success.”
“For me, this grand opening is personal,” shared Andy Waxman, senior vice president of real estate development for The Community Builders. “My family and I have lived in Jamaica Plain for years, just blocks from this site, and near another longstanding supportive housing building. I have seen firsthand that this approach works, both for residents and for the neighborhood. A permanent home, combined with strong supportive services, provides a foundation for personal growth, stability, and increased independence. Today’s ribbon-cutting is a celebration of the partnership and vision that made this possible.”
The Lyndia spans 165,501 square feet and includes over 13,000 square feet of community space, as well as 13,400 square feet of outdoor space for residents. Designed with dignity and inclusivity in mind, the building features numerous amenities, including laundry facilities on each floor, social gathering spaces, a library, and high-speed internet access. The 140 supportive housing units will include wrap-around services provided by Pine Street Inn, helping residents connect to essential resources such as medical and mental health care, life skills development, job training, and employment opportunities. The Community Builders will also support residents in the 62 family units with programs aimed at economic mobility and long-term stability.
The building is further enriched by a commitment to local art. It features 26 pieces of original artwork, all created by artists with ties to Jamaica Plain or other Boston neighborhoods. The collection, curated by community-focused art specialist Ivey Bueno, enhances the living environment and fosters a sense of belonging for residents.
Eric Robinson, principal and co-founder of RODE Architects, underscored the firm’s dedication to inclusive design: “We strongly believe that good design should be accessible to all. We are honored to collaborate with Pine Street Inn and The Community Builders to deliver The Lyndia, a model for thoughtful, accessible, and equitable design. Our commitment was to create a true sense of home, with hospitality-driven amenities that will positively impact the lives of those who need them most.”
The Lyndia’s development was made possible through a combination of public and private funding sources, including the City of Boston Mayor’s Office of Housing, the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, MassDevelopment, Bank of America, Barings, Inc., The HYM Investment Group, LLC, the Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation, Boston Medical Center, the Corporation for Supportive Housing, M&T Bank, and The Life Initiative. The project also received significant philanthropic support from organizations such as Bank of America, Liberty Mutual Insurance, MassGeneral Brigham, MassMutual, and Suffolk Cares.
With The Lyndia’s completion, Boston takes a significant step forward in addressing homelessness and housing insecurity. The success of this project highlights the importance of collaboration between government agencies, private investors, community organizations, and residents. By providing stable housing with built-in support services, The Lyndia offers a model that can be replicated in cities across the country, ensuring that more individuals and families have access to safe, dignified, and sustainable housing solutions.
