CMM Working Towards Black Wealth Equity
and Affordable Housing in Boston
CMM is leading the way in creating Black wealth equity through home rehabilitation. Now your congregation or organization can become a part of this exciting movement for change.

The statistics are grim. The average Black family in Boston has an average net wealth of $8.00, compared to the White family’s $247,500, according to a 2015 study by the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston .

For three years, CMM has taken applications to rehab homes in Dorchester and adjacent areas. Using volunteers from faith communities, universities, and leadership programs, we have successfully completed work on 12 homes in three years. Now we invite you to contact us at [email protected] to let us know you want to become involved.

We are thankful for predominantly Black and predominantly White churches which have stepped up to the task: Fellowship Christian Church, First Church in Cambridge Congregational UCC, First Congregational Church in Milton, The Dover Church, and the Wellesley Village Church have made our work possible, as well as individual donors. All faiths are welcome. We are also in discussions with mosques, temples and other groups in the Greater Boston area.

Working primarily on weekends and holidays, volunteers help to clean out, repair, and paint homes. Organized as Clergy and Laity for Affordable Housing , CMM buys the materials, hires a construction manager (like our good friend, Mr. Arthur Jefferson), provides tools and ladders, as well as lunch for the volunteers.

In the link below you can read about our new initiative: hiring local youth in the Black community to work alongside volunteers. We are also promoting local construction training groups in joining us, such as the Future Hope Apprenticeship Program and the Veterans Benefits Economic Development Corporation.


Anyone who is physically capable of helping is welcome. High school youth groups, college groups (like Brandeis’ Habitat for Humanity), leadership groups (like the folks from Crossroads C5 Leadership Program), adult groups, as well as individuals.

What about the COVID-19 threat? This summer we are strictly social-distancing, doing only outside work, and taking all precautions. When conditions change, we will resume inside work.

Please show your interest by contacting us at [email protected] . Financial donations towards this effort may be sent to CMM, with the notation “CLAH,” and mailed to 474 Centre Street, Newton MA 02458, or donate online with the green buttons above and below.

Questions? Please call CMM Board Member Alice Kidder, CMM Clerk, at 617 276-6227, or email CMM at [email protected]