Michael Montanino grew up in East Boston, around the corner from Santarpio’s, a foster kid in a house with nine other children. He dealt with learning disabilities and lingering effects of malnutrition from his earliest years, then went on to run track in high school and graduate from North Shore Community College.
Montanino struggled with alcoholism in his college years — a problem that led him to living on the streets for nearly two years. He’d bounce back and forth from the Constitution Beach Walk to Jeffries Point, to the library and the flower shop. Sometimes he did food app delivery on foot for $7 an order.
“That was my homeless life, just going from one thing to another … never really knowing where my next meal was coming from,” he said.
These days, though, Montanino is calling Jamaica Plain home. He’s one of the new residents at 3368 Washington St., a five-story, $105 million residential building celebrating its grand opening on Wednesday. Developed by Boston-based The Community Builders and homeless services provider Pine Street Inn, the building — to be named “The Lyndia” in honor of Pine Street Inn executive director Lyndia Downie — is the largest permanent supportive housing development in New England. The 202-unit building includes 140 studios for formerly unhoused people referred by Pine Street in one wing, and 62 affordable units for families in another.
The city of Boston provided some $17.3 million to the project, and supported it amid a lengthy lawsuit that challenged its zoning.
“To solve homelessness, you have to tackle the roots of the problem, which is making sure that people can have a home, and have support in living in their homes,” said Boston Mayor Michelle Wu. “You really have to have a plan for homes to be accessible and supportive for everyone.”
Downie has long championed permanent supportive housing, which is basically an apartment with social services on site, and Pine Street has gradually grown its inventory of such buildings in recent years. Advocates say tackling the roots of homelessness requires more than just handing out grants, and instead making sure individuals have both a roof over their heads and access to health and wellness support systems to guide them through a world-upending transition. Montanino said he is frequently connected with security and outreach personnel, case managers, a personal landlord, and property managers, all of whom helped him move — and stay — off the streets.
“They’re all hands on deck here,” he said.
The 3368 Washington project includes support services like onsite mental health counseling, 24/7 security, and key fob-activated elevators. Residents are directly referred by Pine Street Inn. On a recent tour of the building, fliers for workforce development programs with Pine Street and Roxbury Community College were available for anyone to read.
The property was formerly a low-slung warehouse, which Pine Street bought in 1997 and over the years used for a variety of functions, including office space for case workers and a small woodworking program. As Pine Street ramped up its housing development efforts, the site stood out, particularly given its proximity to the Green Street Orange Line station. Most developers responded to Pine Street’s bid for proposals with pitches for around 40 to 60 units, Downie said. But Bart Mitchell, CEO of The Community Builders, aimed higher.
“Bart and I went over to look at the site, and Bart, even that day, said, ‘Look, if we can get some height relief, we can do something really sustainable here. We can get some scale,’” Downie said. “That was what, for us, was so exciting. … The more long-term people you can move out, the better chance you have of meeting shelter demand.”
The project hasn’t been without its challenges. The landlord of a neighboring property sued in 2020, alleging the zoning process to allow the project was flawed. Though the lawsuit eventually settled, the delay cost “multiple millions” of dollars, said Andy Waxman, Community Builders’ senior vice president of real estate.
Pine Street and The Community Builders are collaborating on similar projects, including 900 Morrissey Blvd. in Dorchester, which is under construction now. While many community groups in Jamaica Plain, including the Egleston Square Neighborhood Association and the Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Council, supported 3368 Washington, other projects across the city have seen fierce pushback from neighborhoods.
“It’s an unknown for a lot of people, so I think it creates more anxiety for people — in an understandable way — not knowing exactly what it is,” Waxman said. “Permanent housing with the level of support that Pine Street Inn provides — that combination is great. And so it takes people some time to learn that.”
Potential residents apply through the Boston Housing Authority, and then are screened by Pine Street. Folks have moved in gradually over the past few months, Downie said, and the building is expected to be full by June.
With a gentle demeanor and a quick smile, Montanino proudly showed off his new home last week. He’s learning to cook, and there are spices and oil next to his stove — he’s done steaks and chicken, burgers, and salads. He’s volunteering, and has lined up a job — he starts in April. He dreams of adopting a child, as his mother did him.
“My life’s back,” Montanino said. “I get up early in the morning. I count my blessings, for sure.”
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