Boston Acquires Roslindale Wetlands Parcel for Conservation and Four Affordable Homes

BOSTON -- December 11, 2021, Boston completes Roslindale Wetlands acquisition, pairing conservation land with four affordable homes. Mayor Michelle Wu joined City Councilors Matt O'Malley and Ricardo Arroyo, State Representative Nika Elugardo, and Conservation Commission Chairman Michael Parker at 108 Walter Street on December 11 to mark the city's acquisition of a long-contested parcel that will be divided between the Roslindale Wetlands Urban Wild and four new affordable homeownership units to be built by Habitat for Humanity of Greater Boston. Jim Kostaris, president and CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Boston, announced the homes will be designed to a net-zero energy, passive-house standard, calling it a demonstration that high energy efficiency and affordability for low-income families can coexist. The acquisition involved funding from the Department of Neighborhood Development, the BPDA, Parks and Recreation, and state partners. Community organizers said the effort stretched more than 20 years, with the final 18 months focused on a financing strategy that merged wetlands conservation and affordable housing goals into a single viable proposal.