The RISE framework for equitable development is built from a body of research from the Government Alliance on Race and Equity, the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University, and the Urban Land Institute that aims to put into practicean approach to development and construction that generates positive quality of life outcomes in the communities that we build. By integrating these equitable outcomes into our thinking, we are striving to build places that help manifest equitable access to health environments, affordable housing, quality education,living-wage employment and accessible transportation.
Our commitment to equitable development permeates all internal and external stakeholder relationships. Through the development of standard operating procedures, we have established a model that ensures diverse business engagement when sourcing new talent, partnering with subcontractors, and considering new capital investors. By embedding equitable principles and practices into our business, we can empower greater access to careers, contracts, and capital opportunities for under-represented professionals and companies, and support investments in the communities that we build.
Affordable + Sustainable Development
RISE's Equitable Development practices have generated equitable outcomes through the creation of affordable dwelling units, publicly accessible open space and sustainable practices across the RISE portfolio:
- 407 Affordable IDP Units
- Over 262,000 SF of Publicly Accessible Open Space
- Energy efficient design technologies, renewable energy systems and resilient design practices are reflected across the entire RISE portfolio.
Supplier Diversity - Inclusive Procurement Measures
The RISE team is committed to doing more than just “checking the box" and has implemented aproactive procurement strategy on both development and construction projects that seeks to partner, cultivate, and maximize opportunities for W/M/VBE firms. These meaningful partnerships are grounded in a goal to create significant economic opportunity and capacity building for minority and women-owned firms in all elements of construction and development.
Workforce Development
Our team firmly believes that an inclusionary workforce starts before the project begins and continues well after the project “finishes“. RISE's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion extends beyond our internal policy and follows the same logic in our approach to implementing a holistic workforce development strategy on all projects. This approach allows RISE to cultivate a diverse design, development, and construction team and carry those principles through to ongoing property management and future opportunities. Since inception, RISE has generated the following workforce outcomes:
- 3,000 Permanent Jobs
- 4000 Union Trade Jobs
- 825 Construction Jobs
- Over $23 Million to the City of Boston Linkage Program to Support Job Creation
Community Partnerships
Through partnerships with nonprofits, small businesses, educational institutions, and civic organizations, RISE can maximize the impact of our work in communities. We ensure that there is a lasting impact in each community we touch, by hearing and supporting the individuals and families that live there and working alongside them to reimagine their neighborhoods.
· Building Pathways
· Boston Carpenters Apprentice Training
· Building Trade - Training Directors Association of MA
· BRJP Office - Policy Group on Tradeswomen Issues
· Cambridge College
· Commonwealth Kitchen
· Charlestown Turn It Around Youth Program
· Charlestown Coalition
· Mass Minority Contractors Association (MMCA)
· National Association of Minority Contractors (NAMC)
· Operation Exit
· Youthbuild Boston
Partnership Spotlight – YouthBuild Boston
The following community partnership highlights a site owned by the City of Boston. As part Boston's commitment to advance the production of affordable dwelling units, one of the primary project goal sought a development partner to build affordable residential housing with an equitable development approach. For the project, RISE has structured a strategic joint venture partnering with YouthBuild and the City of Boston’s Department of Neighborhood Development to develop and construct a 2-unit building with both units would be sold at 100% AMI.
A key component of the strategic joint venture is the development of a partnership that promotes a variety of industry learning opportunities for YouthBuild Boston and advances the organization's mission: "To empower and assist young people of color with essential social, vocational, academic, and life skills necessary to navigate a positive pathway to self-sufficiency, neighborhood responsibly and careers in the building industry.”
Following the successful execution of RISE's collaboration with YouthBuild Boston, the leadership team of both firms intend to map out a strategic business plan in the coming months to support the vertical construction as well as future partnership opportunities.