Planning Office for Urban Affairs

The Planning Office for Urban Affairs is a nonprofit housing developer affiliated with the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston. Describing itself as a social justice ministry, it develops high-quality affordable and mixed-income housing and works on neighborhood revitalization throughout metropolitan Boston. Its projects aim to create vibrant communities, and to date it has developed more than 3,200 units of housing and channeled over $675 million of investment into the region’s neighborhoods and towns.

A team of thirteen people manages each development from start to finish: evaluating opportunities and financing, assembling architects and engineers, handling zoning and permits, securing tax credits and loans, and overseeing construction and lease-up. Current projects include a 60-unit family housing development in Gloucester and the redevelopment of a historic Catholic school in Boston into senior and family housing with a PACE program and daycare.

What to Know

• The organization is commonly known as POUA.
• It partners with other nonprofits, such as HarborLight Homes, on developments.
• Its projects involve presenting to public commissions and keeping neighbors informed.
• POUA is a member of the Salem Chamber of Commerce.