In February 2017, Concord House tenants voted to form a Tenant Association and vowed to Save Our Homes—not just for themselves, but future low income families being pushed out of the South End. In May 2017, they proposed a plan to save our homes to the owner, Charlie Gendron. Tenants suggested turning their newly issued vouchers into Project Based Vouchers that would keep the building affordable long-term. Not only did Mr. Gendron embrace their goals, he was already working to pass legislation in Washington to make it happen!

Over the course of the next several months, MAHT lobbied in Washington DC to get an amendment passed that would allow a "retroactive RAD conversion" to preserve the building as Section 8 housing. After Congress passed the legislation in March 2018, Gendron went to work to apply to HUD for the Section 8 subsidies to keep Concord House affordable for the long term, with tenant support. Gendron, along with the Mass Alliance of HUD Tenants (MAHT) and Greater Boston Legal Services, convened meetings of tenants to explain the options and enlist tenants’ help. With a few bumps in the road, in the end, 171 tenants agreed to convert their Enhanced Vouchers to Project Based Section 8, with a future “mobility” option. 

Gendron submitted his application to HUD on November 1, 2018.  HUD has since approved the Concord House plan! This means that 171 apartments will stay affordable not only for current tenants, but future lower income families, for at least 20 years!

Low Income Housing Corps Article https://lihc.com/lihc-preserves-affordability-for-boston-community/