The Forbes Building is a 147-unit subsidized building in Jamaica Plain, housing mostly elderly and disabled residents. When the Forbes Building was built in 1976, owners received a low-interest mortgage through the State’s 13A program. In exchange, they agreed to keep in a portion of the building’s units well below-market for the duration of the mortgage period. On March 1st, 2022 the mortgage period officially ended, allowing the owner to legally raise previously subsidized rents.
For several years, the Forbes Building Tenant Association (FBTA) had been organizing to preserve their building as long-term affordable housing upon the expiration of the 13A mortgage. But in December 2020, the Forbes Building owner suddenly walked away from a full preservation and subsidy package to preserve the building’s affordability following the 13A mortgage expiration. The FBTA had mounted a campaign to bring the owner back to the negotiating table and save their homes.
In 2021, the FBTA organized two rallies, bringing together hundreds of tenants, community supporters, and elected officials including Mayor Michelle Wu, former State Representative Nika Elugardo, and several Boston City Councilors. Many JP community groups also endorsed the FBTA’s demands, including JP Progressives, JP Neighborhood Development Corporation, and the JP Neighborhood Council. In October 2021, Forbes tenants sent over 1,200 signatures on a community petition to the owner, urging him to "Sign the Contracts Now to Save Our Homes".
On June 1, 2022, 82 tenants received a notice of a rent increase averaging $42/month, effective July 1, for the next six months. The Forbes Building Tenants Association wrote owner Paul Clayton asking him to cancel the increase. Mr. Clayton had announced he was preparing a long-term renovation and affordability plan to submit to state and city agencies. Although it took a couple of years, the tenants kept up the pressure for a long term preservation plan to be submitted and it worked.
Over the last year the FBTA Steering Committee organized to support the owners subsidy package. On November 4th, 2024 FBTA met with Secretary Ed Augustus of the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities to advocate for approval of MRVP vouchers that would save the building. On January 13, 2025 The City of Boston released an official press release announcing the preservation of the building, which includes 110 Mass rental voucher subsidies and a full renovation plan.
In the News
Boston Globe June 12, 2021
Jamaica Plain News June 11, 2021
Jamaica Plain Gazette August 27, 2021
Jamaica Plain Gazette October 8, 2021
Jamaica Plain Gazette Guest Op-Ed February 14, 2022
The Baystate Banner October 26, 2022
Boston Neighborhood Network News October 28, 2022
Axios December 2, 2022
Jamaica Plain Gazette January 27, 2023
Forbes Building Tenant Association Newsletter April 18, 2023
Jamaica Plain News September 25, 2023
Jamaica Plain Gazette January 25, 2025
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