The Project

Uphams Corner—a historic commercial district in Dorchester and one of the most diverse neighborhoods in Boston—is on the cusp of drastic change. The neighborhood was designated as an Arts and Innovation District by the City of Boston in 2017 with the intention of leveraging several city-owned properties, including the historic Strand Theatre, toward new development. Acutely aware of the impact this new development might have on the community, the city led a community visioning process on the future of Uphams Corner, highlighting the potential vulnerability of residents and businesses to displacement as a result of investment and real estate interest.

While proposals to protect tenants, stabilize rents, and support small businesses are making their way through government networks, the Equitable Uphams Collaborative (EUC), a coalition of Boston-based economic development, health, and housing organizations, identified a need for capital deployment at the ground level to prevent the immediate impacts of displacement and came together to develop a joint community investment strategy.