Boston’s Community Preservation Committee has launched a second round of funding, with $22 million available in fiscal year 2019 for projects around the city that will promote affordable housing, historic preservation, and open spaces.
Previously, the city awarded roughly $8 million to 35 projects in fiscal 2018. The city said no request is too small and that it will award a maximum of $1 million to any single project.
The Boston Municipal Research Bureau said the second round of funding “will place a greater emphasis on affordable housing proposals” and that Mayor Martin Walsh’s administration “recommended that larger CPA projects be considered in the Fall Round so that related operational costs can be considered in the city’s operating budget for the next year.”
Boston voted in 2016 to adopt the Community Preservation Act and levy a 1 percent real estate tax surcharge on property taxes to pay the bills. The city has collected more than $20.5 million from the surcharge since it began hitting tax bills about a year ago and expects to begin receiving state matching funds this fall. Revenue from the surcharge is expected to be $19.7 million in fiscal 2019, with the city expecting to receive $2.3 million in state matching funds.
The committee is accepting eligibility forms now – due back Aug. 24 for housing projects and Sept. 7 for open space and historic preservation projects. All applications will be due to the committee on Sept. 28.
