Originally appearing in the Roslindale-West Roxbury Transcript

http://www.wickedlocal.com/west-roxbury

Original Aricle:  http://www.wickedlocal.com/west-roxbury/news/x1382800415

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Francis Colannino, owner of Florence Apartments, a 138-unit apartment complex in Roslindale, has signed a contract with U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), extending affordability for residents. The long-term owner had reached the end of the mortgage period, providing him with the opportunity to end his participation in the HUD program, which provides Section 8 assistance to 125 low and moderate income families. Instead, Colannino has extended his agreement with HUD for five years.

“This is significant step forward for low-income citizens across the City of Boston,” Mayor Thomas Menino said. “I would like to thank Frank, Mass Housing and HUD for working to keep these units with Section 8 status. Lack of affordable housing is among the most pressing and difficult issues that our cities face.”

This extension comes after Menino met with Colannino and also contacted officials at HUD and Mass Housing expressing his concerns. There was a real possibility that in the long term, the development would be lost as a resource for affordable housing. Both HUD and Mass Housing worked tirelessly to make the deal happen.