On Thursday, April 16
th, CREW Boston’s Housing & Community Development Committee hosted the second installment of its virtual series on faith-based land and building conversions to affordable housing, continuing the conversation by spotlighting successful development projects across the Greater Boston area.
This session brought together experienced developers to share in-depth project overviews, including insights into capital stacks, partnerships, and key lessons learned throughout the conversion process.
Panelists included:
- Jennifer Kolodziej, Senior Project Manager at North Shore Community Development Coalition, who presented on The Residences at St. James and Hawthorne Lofts in Salem
- Vitalia Shklovsky, Senior Project Manager at Preservation of Affordable Housing, who discussed The Rose on Sixth Street (formerly Sacred Heart) in Cambridge
- Rebecca Schofield, Senior Developer at Pennrose, LLC, who highlighted the Blessed Sacrament Church project in Jamaica Plain
The discussion was moderated by
Lynne Sweet, Principal of LDS Consulting Group, LLC, who guided a thoughtful conversation around the complexities and opportunities associated with repurposing faith-based properties into much-needed affordable housing.
Attendees gained valuable perspectives on navigating adaptive reuse projects, structuring financing, and fostering community partnerships - key components in advancing affordable housing solutions throughout the region.