Council Backs District Improvement Financing for Roxbury

The Boston City Council approved a resolution to implement District Improvement Financing (DIF) in Roxbury, targeting long-term investments in affordable housing, small businesses, and workforce training. DIF allows cities to reallocate future property tax revenues from new developments to fund local improvements, not to create new taxes. Roxbury faces significant economic challenges, including a median income well below the city average and a poverty rate nearing 34%. With only 26% of residents owning homes, the district is vulnerable to gentrification and displacement, making targeted investment essential. The Council stressed the importance of equity and accountability in DIF's implementation, ensuring community involvement, particularly from longtime residents and local business owners.

The resolution also proposes using an equity scorecard to track benefits and monitor for unintended displacement. This initiative mirrors successful programs in municipalities like Somerville and Brockton, which have generated millions in local revenue. A Roxbury DIF could uplift Black, Brown, and working-class communities by creating jobs and promoting pathways to homeownership.