The Need

Many people know that Boston’s rents are becoming less and less affordable. However, less people know that Fields Corner community members face heightened housing burden and economic needs.

Housing Burden
Similarly to the case of Boston, about 37% of the total housing units in Fields Corner are homeowners occupied and 63% are rentals. However, according to the 2005-2009 ACS almost 69% of homeownership households in Fields Corner spend more than 30% of their gross income towards their mortgage payments while more than 56% spend more than 35.0% or their income towards mortgage payments. Almost 60% of Fields Corner’s rental households spend over 30% of their income towards their rental expenses while over 45% spend more than 35% of their income towards rental expenses.

Rental Housing Burden (Source: ACS 2005-2009)
Home Ownership Housing Burden (Source: ACS 2005-2009)

Distribution of Subsidized Housing
Despite the city’s emphasis in creating affordable housing in the city, according to the 2000 data provided by the Department of Neighborhood Development, Dorchester was one of the neighborhoods with the lowest percentage of subsidized housing in Boston.

Transit and Equity
According to the 2010 census estimates, median income levels higher or similar to the City’s median income characterize most areas in close proximity to T stops. Fields Corner remains one of the few transit-oriented lower-income areas in Boston and especially one located along the red line.

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