In 1974, a group of community activists from the Jamaica Plain section of Boston, Massachusetts came together to create Urban Edge, a community development corporation with a mission of hope and determination: to help develop and sustain stable, healthy and diverse communities.

Urban Edge’s founders formed strategic partnerships with residents and public agencies to empower the community to transform neighborhoods "one block at a time." Their initial focus was to fight redlining and real estate speculation, while opposing the displacement of low and moderate income families. Together, they laid the groundwork for an ethnically and racially diverse community where everyone can contribute to its growth and success.

Since 1974, the scope of Urban Edge’s activities and accomplishments has grown to meet community capacity and need. We have developed and preserved over 1,360 units of affordable housing; provided $2.4 million in commercial loans and equity investments, creating over 170 jobs for local residents; and provided home rehabilitation and deleading assistance of over $2.3 million to more than 100 families. In Roxbury, Jamaica Plain, and the surrounding neighborhoods, Urban Edge has graduated over 1,600 families from first-time homebuyer workshops, over 500 of whom have become first-time homebuyers. Urban Edge’s Property Management affiliate manages 1,340 units of affordable housing and over 75,000 square feet of community facilities and commercial space.

Community building is neither a cause nor a profession – it is a basic human activity. Urban Edge remains a strong network of local residents who form an extended partnership dedicated to building a better Boston. We are thankful for the many people who have joined this partnership over the years and who together create the positive changes and world of opportunities in our community.