At Bromley-Heath, an 800-unit federal public housing complex in the Jamaica Plain neighborhood of Boston, a new, innovative urban learning center focused on early childhood education is being built.

The $16 million, 22,300 sq. ft. project was developed by Associated Early Care and Education (AECE), a nonprofit founded more than 130 years ago. AECE operates on the premise that by investing in school readiness, promoting healthy development, and strengthening families through educational and workforce development programs, children have the best possible opportunity to realize their full potential, and families have the best opportunity to achieve financial stability and economic security. The organization currently serves more than 1,300 young children in multiple facilities in the Boston area.

The new Learning Center at Bromley-Heath (LCBH) replaces and expands by 45% the capacity of its existing Early Childhood Education program at the site and moves from a cramped basement to a state-of-the-art building with modern outdoor play areas. It offers many additional programs for children, and partner with numerous local social service, health care, and educational institutions to provide educational and job training programs for all public housing residents and others in the near-by community.

MHIC provided $7.96 million in New Markets Tax Credit financing with Bank of America Merrill Lynch as co-CDE and investor. This project was the result of more than four years of planning, and a partnership that includes the Boston Housing Authority, HUD, AECE, United Way and other community organizations and foundations. It was projected to create 30 construction jobs, retain 20 existing jobs and create 25 new full-time jobs.