Green building standard specifically designed for affordable housing
Braintree and Dorchester, MA (February 23, 2026) – The Peabody Companies, a group of award-winning property management and real estate firms now celebrating its 50th anniversary, proudly announces that Columbia-Uphams Apartments in Dorchester has achieved Enterprise Green Communities (EGC) certification. The national green building standard prioritizes resident well-being, long-term sustainability, and neighborhood impact alongside energy efficiency and building performance.
EGC certification is achieved by meeting a set of criteria focused on energy and water efficiency, healthy indoor environment, sustainable materials, and strong community connectivity. The national standard ensures that affordable housing developments are built with environmental responsibility, indoor health, durability, climate resiliency and cost effectiveness as priorities.
The 91-unit Columbia-Uphams Apartments is the result of a rehabilitation that unified the former Columbia West and Uphams Corner apartment buildings into a single, modernized affordable housing community. Rehabilitation construction began in late 2024 and was completed roughly one year later. More than $19 million in improvements were financed for the renovation and consolidation of the two buildings.
Located approximately 0.7 miles apart on Columbia Road, Columbia-Uphams Apartments is home to income-qualified families and individuals, with a portion of units set aside for formerly homeless individuals and residents with special needs.
Columbia-Uphams is owned by the nonprofit Affordable Housing and Services Collaborative, Inc. and managed by The Peabody Companies.
“Achieving Enterprise Green Communities certification reflects our commitment to providing residents with healthy and efficient homes,” said Melissa Fish-Crane, principal and CEO of The Peabody Companies. “Columbia-Uphams represents the thoughtful and sustainable reinvestment that improves both the property and the surrounding neighborhood.”
“This certification underscores our commitment to creating high-quality, sustainable homes that supports and strengthens the lives of residents,” said Michael J. Mattos, president and executive director of Affordable Housing Services Collaborative, Inc.
