DORCHESTER, Mass.— A former hotel on Morrissey Boulevard has been transformed into a new permanent supportive housing community for older adults who have experienced chronic homelessness, as city and state leaders joined housing organizations Wednesday to celebrate the opening of 900 Morrissey Boulevard.
Mayor Michelle Wu joined The Community Builders, Pine Street Inn, state officials, housing advocates and community partners for the grand opening of the 99-unit development in Dorchester.
The project converted the former hotel into 99 fully furnished, affordable studio apartments, providing deeply affordable housing along with on-site services designed to promote residents’ health, independence and long-term housing stability.
“Boston is taking every opportunity to ensure that all our residents have a fair chance at a safe and stable place to live,” Wu said. She thanked Pine Street Inn, The Community Builders and public and private partners for helping create homes where older residents can remain connected to their communities.
Housing and Supportive Services Under One Roof
The development is owned and operated through a partnership between The Community Builders and Pine Street Inn, which provides supportive services to residents.
The homes are intended for older adults who have experienced homelessness, many of whom previously lived in shelters or on the street. Residents receive access to services within the building designed to help them maintain their health, independence and housing stability.
“Permanent supportive housing allows our residents to focus on their health, rebuild connections, and plan for the future,” said Boston Chief of Housing Sheila A. Dillon. She said the project responds to the growing need for housing tailored to an aging homeless population.
Boston Housing Authority Administrator Kenzie Bok said the BHA is providing project-based housing vouchers for all 99 homes.
“With strong partners like the Pine Street Inn and The Community Builders, we know this is a place where elders can age in dignity supported by the wraparound services they require,” Bok said.
Emily Shea, commissioner of AgeStrong, said stable housing gives older adults who have experienced homelessness the opportunity to maintain their independence and remain connected to their communities.
Public and Private Funding
The project was made possible through a combination of public funding and private support.
Funding included American Rescue Plan resources from the City of Boston, while the Boston Housing Authority is providing Housing Choice Vouchers for the apartments. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts also contributed through the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, the Community Economic Development and Assistance Corporation and MassHousing.
The Yawkey Foundation and Pine Street Inn provided significant philanthropic support that will continue to help fund resident services.
MassHousing CEO Chrystal Kornegay described the project as a collaborative effort focused on creating deeply affordable and supportive housing.
“This was truly a collaborative effort among all the partners involved with the common goal of developing this deeply affordable and supportive housing community,” Kornegay said.
Creative Reuse to Address Homelessness
The conversion of an existing hotel into permanent housing reflects a broader effort to find new ways to expand Boston’s housing supply.
Bart Mitchell, president and CEO of The Community Builders, said the project demonstrates what can be achieved when adaptive reuse is combined with long-term support for residents.
“Transforming 900 Morrissey from a former hotel into 99 permanent homes shows what’s possible when creative reuse is matched with a long-term commitment to residents,” Mitchell said.
Pine Street Inn President and Executive Director Lyndia Downie emphasized the importance of permanent housing in ending homelessness.
“Housing ends homelessness,” Downie said. “At 900 Morrissey Boulevard, residents have a home of their own along with supportive services to help them maintain their health, independence, and stability.”
Andy Waxman, senior vice president of real estate development at The Community Builders, said the organization’s responsibility extends beyond the opening of the building to its ongoing management and the creation of a welcoming residential community.
Part of Broader Boston Housing Effort
The opening comes as Boston continues efforts to expand permanent supportive housing and reduce homelessness.
Since Mayor Wu took office, the city and its partners have helped nearly 9,000 households experiencing homelessness move into permanent housing and created 668 new permanent supportive housing units for residents transitioning out of homelessness.
According to Boston’s 2026 Point-in-Time Homelessness Count, overall homelessness has declined 19% since 2021, while unsheltered homelessness has fallen 31%.
The Wu administration has also reported that nearly 40,000 homes have been completed, entered construction or advanced into the development pipeline since the mayor took office, including nearly 12,000 income-restricted homes. More than 16,700 homes are complete and another 6,000 are under construction.
City officials say the administration is pursuing multiple strategies to address housing needs, including converting underused properties into housing, developing homes on public land, expanding affordable homeownership and supporting residents facing housing instability.
At 900 Morrissey Boulevard, officials said the focus is on a specific population whose housing needs can become increasingly complex with age: older adults transitioning from homelessness into permanent homes with the services necessary to remain stable.
The 99 new apartments add to Boston’s growing supportive housing network while demonstrating how existing buildings can be repurposed to create new affordable homes.
