Urban Edge Housing Corporation

Street Address:
1542 Columbus Ave., Suite 2
Roxbury, MA 02119


Phone: 617-989-9300
Fax: 617-427-8931
Website: www.urbanedge.org

Mossik Hacobian, President
Chrystal Kornegay, Chief Executive Officer

Contact Name: Digna Del Rosario
Phone: 617-989-9321
Fax:
Email: dgomez@urbanedge.org


Staff Size: Full Time: 22 

Background
Urban Edge was incorporated in 1974. The organization first served the community as a real estate broker for low to moderate-income families. This original market area of Urban Edge experienced gentrification in the 1970s and the impact of this is still felt today. Urban Edge responded to increasing real estate prices, caused by speculation, with programs to reduce the displacement of low and moderate-income families. Since its incorporation, Urban Edge’s programs have substantially grown to reflect the diverse needs of the community. Today, Urban Edge serves the Egleston Square and Jackson Square areas of the Roxbury and Jamaica Plain neighborhoods of Boston, as well as surrounding communities. It concentrates its community development efforts in the preservation and creation of affordable housing (1,364 units to date), commercial and economic development (over 75,000 square feet), property management of 1,334 units, homeownership services (over 1,500 graduates from financial fitness and first-time homebuyer workshops), and resident leadership. Much of Urban Edge’s work is carried off through participation in coalitions and collaborations that share the goal of community-driven development.

Mission
Urban Edge is a nonprofit community development organization whose mission is to help develop and sustain stable, healthy and diverse communities in Jamaica Plain, Roxbury, and surrounding neighborhoods.

Total Operating Expense (9/30/2007): $10,309,645

 Lines of Business
  • Asset and Property Management

  • Community Building and Organizing

  • Home Ownership Promotion Services

  • Lending and Loan Portfolio Management

  • Real Estate Development


    • National NeighborWorks ® Programs
  • NeighborWorks Campaign for Home Ownership
  • NeighborWorks Community Building and Organizing
  • NeighborWorks Multifamily Initiative

    • Accomplishments in FY 2008
  • Provided 208 families with pre- and post- purchase housing counseling.
  • Rehabilitated or repaired 92 rental or owner occupied units (1-4 units).
  • Assisted 62 families in purchasing a home through homeownership counseling, downpayment, closing cost or financing assistance.
  • Owned or managed 1140 rental units.
  • Invested $298,315 in the community through Urban Edge Housing Corporation's revolving loan fund, which leveraged $21,740,111 from conventional lenders and other sources.
  • Total direct investment in the community is $22,038,426.

    • Additional Accomplishments
    Date Additional Accomplishment
    5/24/2006 Completed construction and occupancy of Egleston Crossing, a landmark “green” development project with renewable energy and 64 units of affordable housing, including 15 units for homeless individuals and families, in partnership with the Pine Street Inn, and 8,300 square feet of ground floor commercial space.
    5/24/2006 Completed renovation of Ennis Highland Homes, 15 units of formerly BHA-owned scattered site units for first-time homebuyers and renters, welcomed returning residents and new families.
    5/24/2006 Engaged the communities of Jamaica Plain and Roxbury in developing plan for the redevelopment of Jackson Square, including organizing four monthly planning sessions and seven focus groups at Bromley Hall (located on the border of Jamaica Plain and Roxbury). Over 300 residents participated in these meetings, including over 50 teens; continued to develop civic participation and leadership of Urban Edge residents through further work of the Resident Leadership Team.
    5/24/2006 Completed construction and occupancy of Amory Street Residences, another 64-unit affordable rental housing development comprised of three scattered sites located 1/10th of a mile away from the Jackson Square T, in partnership with Housing Investments, Inc.
    5/24/2006 Received endorsement from Selection Committee for Partners for Jackson’s (led by Urban Edge, Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Development Corporation, and Hyde Square Task Force) proposal for the 6.5 acres of city and state-owned land that surrounds the Jackson Square bus and subway station including plans for a 40,000 square foot youth and family center; a 34,000 square foot indoor recreational space; 430 new homeownership and rental opportunities; 60,000 square feet of small and medium-sized commercial space; 17,000 square feet of local non-profit office space; and 20,000 square feet of other institutional uses.
    5/24/2006 Provided homebuyer education and financial fitness classes to more than 1,500 families and individuals, more than 400 of whom have become homeowners for the first time.

    Community Services
  • Community Building

  •  Business/Merchant Relationship

  •  Clean-up Project

  •  Community Outreach and Organizing

  •  Community Planning

  •  Landscape and Neighborhood Beautification

  •  Leadership Training

  •  Minority Awareness Program

  •  Neighborhood / Resident Crime Watch

  •  Neighborhood Festivals

  •  Tenant Organizing

  • Family Health Programs

  •  Community Health Services

  •  Food Bank

  •  Job Training / Youth Employment Project

  •  Public Assistance Counseling

  •  Youth Group Organizing (Issue Oriented)

  • Financial Planning and Assistance

  •  Financial Education

  •  Foreclosure Prevention Training

  •  Reverse Mortgage

  • Green Building and Home Improvement

  •  Energy Conservation Programs

  •  Environmental Friendly Building Materials

  •  Home Maintenance Training

  •  Home Safety and Security

  •  Indoor Environment Quality

  •  Lead Poison Prevention

  •  Renewable Energy Resources

  •  Sustainable Site Planning

  •  Water Quality and Conservation

  • Housing Programs and Home Ownership Counseling

  •  Home Ownership Center

  •  Home Ownership Counseling

  •  Housing for Elderly

  •  Housing for Homeless

  •  Rental Housing

  •  Section 8 Housing


    • Board of Directors
    NameBoard Role/TitleSectorCompany/OrganizationJob Title
    Viki BokBoard MemberBusinessVictoria Bok & Associates 
    Mary BrownBoard MemberResident  
    Kathleen A CarneyBoard MemberOtherBrigham and Women's Hospital 
    Lisa DavisBoard MemberBusinessNew Boston Development Partners 
    Tom DavisBoard Vice ChairNon-Profit InstitutionPreservation of Affordable Housing 
    Natacha DunkerBoard MemberState GovernmentCommonwealth of Massachusetts 
    Manuel DuranBoard Assistant ClerkNon-Profit InstitutionCasa Nueva Vida 
    Bruce EhrlichBoard MemberBusinessMassachusetts Housing Investments Corporation 
    Beverly Estes-SmargiassiBoard Treasurer; Board MemberNon-Profit InstitutionCommunity Opportunities Group Inc. 
    Lisa FitzgeraldBoard MemberBusiness  
    Akimi GardenBoard MemberResident  
    Sarah Howard-McHughBoard MemberBusinessLoheed Design Partnership (LDP) 
    Kimmy JacksonBoard MemberFinancial InstitutionCitiMortagge 
    Eddie JenkinsBoard Vice ChairState GovernmentMassachusetts Alocoholic Beverages Control Commission (ABCC) 
    Willie JonesBoard MemberNon-Profit InstitutionThe Community Builders, Inc. 
    Peter LeeBoard MemberNon-Profit InstitutionThe Medical Foundation 
    Gina MartinezBoard MemberNon-Profit InstitutionETC Development Corporation 
    Anne McKinnonBoard ChairBusinessJacobs, Edwards & Kelcey 
    Bill PankeyBoard MemberOther  
    Jeff PaquetteBoard MemberOtherThe Boston Foundation 
    Darryl PeltonBoard MemberResident PO Box 301181
    Elizabeth RelerfordBoard MemberResident  
    Charlie RoseBoard MemberNon-Profit InstitutionCity Year 
    Karen RoystonBoard MemberResidentMBTA 
    Johanna SmithBoard MemberNon-Profit InstitutionThe Community Builders, Inc. 
    Andrew SobersBoard MemberFinancial InstitutionMt. Washington Bank 
    Diane StaffordBoard Assistant Clerk; Board ClerkLocal GovernmentBoston Public Schools 
    Floyd StrawBoard MemberResident  
    Ette May Vaughn-EbanksBoard MemberNon-Profit InstitutionYMCA of Greater Boston 

    About the NeighborWorks ® Network
    The NeighborWorks® network is a nationwide network of more than 240 community development organizations working in nearly 4358 urban, suburban and rural communities across America. These organizations engage in revitalization strategies that strengthen communities and transform lives. In the last five years alone, NeighborWorks® organizations have generated more than $8.5 billion in reinvestment and helped more than 500,000 families of modest means purchase or improve their homes or secure safe, decent rental or mutual housing.

    NeighborWorks ® America Contact Information
    District:  New England
    Name:  Frances Cinicola
    Phone:  617-585-5027
    Toll-Free:  
    Fax:  617-450-0427
    Email:  fcinicola@nw.org