The Neighborhood
Roxbury/North Dorchester is a diverse community with 48% of the residents identifying as Black or African-American and 21.3% as Hispanic. However this neighborhood is riddled with barriers that prevent it from flourishing. One quarter of the residents live below the poverty line, with incomes that are between $15,000 and $20,000 below the City of Boston average. Hemmed in by a lack of adequate transit and plagued by growing crime and gang activity, residents have been unable to realize many of the opportunities available to other Bostonians.
Fortunately, this neighborhood has several resources to draw upon to address these challenges: a solid homeownership tradition, important cultural institutions, and a host of community-based organizations that are ready to move the dial on key community outcomes.
Community Assets
Arts and Culture
The Roxbury International Film Festival celebrates emerging and celebrated film-makers of color and Roxbury Open Studios highlights the work of Roxbury’s visual artists.
Land Use
The Corridor is located on 34% of currently vacant land, most of which is publicly-owned or non-profit controlled. There is potential build-out of over 1,000,000 gross square footage of retail and commercial uses and 1000 affordable homes, representing a total investment of $585 million.
Transit
The Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority (MBTA) plans to upgrade the 28 bus line, increasing ridership on the 28 and other corridor lines and connecting riders to job growth centers in Longwood, Boston University Medical Center and Copley Square.
Higher Education
Roxbury Community College is a two-year community college established in 1973, and many community-based organizations in Roxbury have partnerships with private universities including Northeastern University and Wentworth School of Technology.
Healthy Living
Roxbury is home to two social enterprises which foster healthy diets and living to low-income residents: Haley House Café and Bakery and Body By Brandy 4 Kidz.