What skills training or educational opportunities do I have access to as a resident?

Building Pathways

Building Pathways is a seven-week pre-apprenticeship program to prepare participants for a career in the building and construction trades. This program is open to all Boston Housing Authority (BHA) residents and City of Boston residents who meet Section 3 requirements for low and very-low income. Participants will receive coordinated case management and job placement services.

Do I qualify for the Building Pathways program?

Here are the minimum requirements.

• Proficient in English and math

• Interested in a career in the construction industry

• Ability to perform physically challenging work in extreme weather

• Drug-free and willing to take a drug test for admission

• Reliable transportation (vehicle that runs or plan to have one by end of program)

• Have a driver’s license

• Achieved a high school diploma or GED/HiSET

• Authorized to work in U.S.

• 18 years of age or older at start of training

• BHA resident or Boston resident meeting the Section 3 income requirements for low and very-low income.

Applicants who meet the minimum requirements will be evaluated and tested before being accepted into the program. Once accepted, the program includes classroom training and hands-on learning.

How can I join?

To find out about the next cycle of Building Pathways, contact Azell Martin by email or call [phone].  To attend an Information Session, see the latest Flyer, and Frequently Asked Questions.  You can also visit Building Pathways website.

Charlestown Adult Education Program (ESL/GED/HiSET)

This program offers 3 levels of HiSET/GED preparation (beginner, intermediate, and advanced) classes to adults (18 years and older) who wish to complete their high school education. The program also offers 4 levels of English as a Second Language (ESL) classes, computer classes and Technology Goes Home with bilingual (English/Spanish) instruction, Citizenship, Home Health Aide training, career services, job placement, child care for students, and behavioral health. In addition to classroom instruction, students may access individualized tutoring. Preference is given to BHA residents of the Charlestown development. Classes are held at 76 Monument Street in Boston.

How do I join?

For more information, contact Lori D’Alleva  or Jose Alas at [phone].

Northeastern University Scholarship 

Please visit our Northeastern BHA Scholars Program page for more information.

Housing Authority Insurance Group, Inc. (HAIG) Resident Scholarship Program 

The Resident Scholarship Program is sponsored by the HAIG Inc., one of BHA’s insurance providers. The program offers BHA residents scholarships to attend college, university or technical school. Residents living in public housing or Section 8/leased housing for at least six months prior to the application deadline can be entered into a drawing for a chance to be awarded a scholarship, worth $6,000 each. This process occurs yearly. The scholarship may be used to pay for tuition, books or school supplies and the funds are deposited in a special account that goes directly to the school or college.

To qualify, you must

• Must be a BHA public housing or Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) resident for at least six months.

• Must be or will be enrolled in the fall for the 2018-19 academic year in an accredited and/or licensed technical school or accredited two- or four-year college or university in the United States.

• Must be a US citizen.

• Must follow all the rules outlined in the official rules documents located on the HAIG Resident Scholarship Program page.

How do I apply?

For more information and to apply, click here or visit the program online. If you have any questions please call [phone] ext 639 or by email.  You must include this Proof of Tenancy as part of your application so please contact Sahar Lawrence by email or (617)  988-4169 to get the form completed. 

ConnectHome - Digital Access Opportunities for Low-Income Residents

ConnectHome is a national public-private collaboration between the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, BHA, the City of Boston and Tech Goes Home to narrow the digital divide for families with school-age children who live in HUD-assisted housing.  Efforts include digital opportunities for seniors and individuals as well.

Boston Housing Authority public housing residents and housing choice voucher recipients who are looking for computer literacy training, low-cost opportunities for getting digitally connected and low-cost opportunities to purchase digital devices (desktop computers, tablets, laptops, etc.) can review a list of course locations and Internet Service Provider offers provided through local Internet Service Providers and our partner Tech Goes Home. BHA also has a number of locally operated computing centers through which residents can access computers (see below list).

Boston Public Computing Center

The Boston Public Computing Center is a partnership between BHA, Boston Centers for Youth & Families, Boston Public Library and the City of Boston’s Department of Innovation and Technology. Beginning in 2009, this effort created new and/or upgraded existing computer labs throughout the City of Boston.

The purpose is to provide low-income Boston residents, particularly BHA residents, access to high speed Internet and up-to-date software with the intent to learn how to use technology for education, employment and improved access to vital resources.

BHA has computer centers in collaboration with some of its local tenant organizations and other community based organizations. Some centers are operated by BHA partners, and other are run directly by BHA. The centers are open to the public and have varying business hours.

Where are the Computing Centers located?

Contact specific centers for hours of operation and available services. For general information, call [phone].

1. Alice H. Taylor at The Johnson Center, 68 Annunciation Road, Roxbury; [phone]

2. Mildred C. Hailey Apartments, 964 Parker Street, Jamaica Plain; [phone]

3. Barkley Apartments (Cathedral), 1472 Washington Street, 2nd Floor, South End; [phone]

4. Charlestown, 76 Monument Street – 2nd Floor; Jose Alas [phone]

5. Commonwealth at CTA, 35 Fidelis Way, Brighton; [phone]

6. Franklin Field, 70 Ames Street (Rear/Basement), Dorchester; Joseph Robinson

7. Mary Ellen McCormack, 7 Sterling Square, S. Boston; [phone]

8. South Street at The South St. Youth Center, 15 St. Rose Street (Rear/Basement); [phone]

9. W. Broadway at The W. Broadway Tenant Task Force, 135 Orton Marotta Way; [phone]