The Lenox Street public housing development, a cornerstone of Lower Roxbury in Boston, is currently undergoing a significant transformation alongside the neighboring Camden housing. Spearheaded by Beacon Communities LLC, this ambitious project is set to modernize a total of 357 units across both Lenox Street and Camden, with a strong emphasis on resident well-being and sustained affordability.
Originally established as one of Boston’s first low-rent public housing initiatives under the Wagner-Steagall Act of 1937, the Lenox Street Apartments hold a significant place in the city’s housing history. Adjacent to it, the Camden development, a state-funded housing complex, is also included in this comprehensive revitalization effort. In 2015, the Boston Housing Authority (BHA) initiated a Request for Proposal aimed at rehabilitating both Lenox Street and Camden, collectively referred to as Lenox/Camden. The core objectives of this project are to significantly upgrade these properties without displacing current residents and to ensure continued affordability for extremely low-income households. Beacon Communities LLC was selected as the developer to bring this vision to life. Their proposed plan focuses on modernizing all 357 units within Lenox/Camden, with the overarching goal of fostering a thriving, economically robust, and environmentally sustainable rental community.
Lenox Street Renovation and Resident Relocation
The extensive renovation work at Lenox Street necessitates a carefully managed relocation plan for some households. While many residents will transition directly into newly renovated units, temporary relocation is required for others. To ensure a smooth and supportive process, Beacon Communities LLC partnered with Housing Opportunities Unlimited (HOU) to coordinate relocation services and provide ongoing assistance to residents throughout the renovation period. The BHA and Beacon have jointly developed the Lenox Street Relocation Plan, a comprehensive document outlining the policies, procedures, rights, and benefits for relocating Lenox Street residents. This plan was thoroughly reviewed by Lenox Street households, who were encouraged to provide written feedback to the BHA and the Bureau of Relocation at the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), ensuring resident voices were heard and considered in the process.
