Jefferson Park - Federal

Site rendering

Jefferson Park Federal is a Cambridge Housing Authority (CHA) development located off Rindge Avenue in North Cambridge adjacent to Jefferson Park State. Built in the early 1950s, the previous housing was in need of significant upgrades, with 57 units having had to be brought offline due to deteriorated conditions. The CHA determined that it was not feasible to repair and preserve the existing buildings, so they decided to pursue modernization.  

The redevelopment of Jefferson Park Federal involves the complete demolition and rebuilding of the 175 existing affordable units, including the 57 units that were offline, and a redesigned site layout to better integrate the housing into the surrounding neighborhood. In addition to the 175 replacement units, the CHA plans to add more than 100 new affordable units to Jefferson Park Federal. The new site will have improved open space, a Bluebikes station, and community spaces for residents. 

The CHA has begun a comprehensive modernization of this site under provisions of the Affordable Housing Overlay (AHO).


The CHA completed the AHO process in March 2022 and closed on financing for the second phase of Jefferson Park after several months of preparation with the Housing Department. The construction of all 278 affordable housing units is now underway and is expected to be completed by Fall 2027.

Click here to learn more about the Jefferson Park Federal revitalization, including the final advisory design review report issued by the Planning Board.

Jefferson Park - Federal Public Meetings:

Meeting Date/Time More Information
Planning Board February 15, 2022 at 6:30 p.m. View the meeting materials.
Planning Board November 9, 2021 at 6:30 p.m. View the meeting materials.
CHA Community Meeting October 19, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. View the meeting flyer.
CHA Community Meeting April 1, 2021 at 6:00 p.m.

View the meeting flyer.

CHA Community Meeting March 2, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. View the meeting flyer.

Existing Site:

In 2021, there were 118 occupied apartments at JP and 57 unoccupied apartments that were taken offline in 2018 and 2019 due to poor conditions.

Proposed Redevelopment: 

  • New construction of 278 affordable rental units including 175 affordable replacement units and 103 additional affordable units

  • Site redesign to integrate housing into surrounding neighborhood and create new green spaces 

  • Maximize livability of new housing through thoughtful design of living spaces and interior and exterior common areas 

  • Jefferson Park Federal will continue to serve a range of household sizes, with 47% of the units being 3-bedroom or larger

  • Street view rendering of one of the site courtyards

  • Rendering of courtyard with splashpad

  • Street view  rendering of Jefferson Park Federal

  • JP Federal under construction - January 2025

    JP Federal under construction - January 2025

  • JP Federal under construction - January 2025

    JP Federal under construction - January 2025

Planning Board Final Report - March 9, 2022

Planning Board Presentation – February 15, 2022

Planning Board Meeting Notice – February 15, 2022

Responses to Planning Board Comments – Part 1

Responses to Planning Board Comments – Part 2

Responses to Planning Board Comments – Part 3 - updated

Responses to Planning Board Comments – Part 4 - updated

Responses to Planning Board Comments – Part 5 - updated

Community Development Department Memo - February 8, 2022

Initial Report of Affordable Housing Overlay (AHO) Design Consultation - November 23, 2021

Planning Board Presentation - November 9, 2021

Planning Board Meeting Notice - November 9, 2021

AHO Submission Volume 1

AHO Submission Volume 2 - Part 1

AHO Submission Volume 2 - Part 2

AHO Submission Volume 2 - Part 3

AHO Submission Volume 2 - Part 4

AHO Submission Volume 2 - Part 5

AHO Submission Volume 3

Department of Public Works Memo - November 4, 2021

Community Development Department Memo - November 2, 2021