131 Zeigler Street, Roxbury

A boarded-up, condemned house
is transformed into eight units of
transitional housing for the homeless.

The new face of 131 Zeigler Street bears a similar layout to the building that once stood there, but that’s where the similarities end. The old structure was demolished, and the site excavated. From the new foundation to the newly shingled roof, the new building represents the culmination of hard work, hope, and community pride.

The Pine Street Inn purchased the dilapidated building, and hired YouthBuild Boston (YBB) to build the new one. YBB’s Construction Training Program used the project as their training grounds, exposing trainees to all phases of the construction process. A partnership with New England Carpenters unions enabled YBB trainees to work alongside journeyman carpenters and union apprentices, learning valuable skills and industry expectations. Additionally,
trainees earn pre-apprentice hours towards joining the Carpenters union.

The building incorporates various types of energy efficient design, serving as a model for integration of green technologies into low-income housing.