Big Changes Coming to Charlestown YMCA: 100 Affordable Apartments in the Works

A major housing project is officially in the pipeline for the Charlestown Navy Yard. Permits have been secured to convert the Charlestown YMCA building—originally a hotel—into 100 income-restricted apartments. The YMCA will still keep more than 20,000 square feet on the lower floors for its fitness and aquatics programs, but the upper floors are getting a whole new purpose.

According to the Boston Business Journal, the new apartments will be 100% affordable, with just over half reserved for households earning less than 80% of the area median income. The rest will be supportive housing, offering services for women and veterans in need of stable housing and wraparound care.

The project is being led by the Planning Office for Urban Affairs, a nonprofit housing developer tied to the Archdiocese of Boston. They’ve already got a solid track record, with similar affordable housing redevelopments in the South End and downtown Boston under their belt.

City Hall signed off on a $30 million building permit for the project on July 23, though a construction timeline hasn’t been announced yet.

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