This Old House (1979)
S31E17 Roxbury; Project with Purpose Begins
Episode Overview
In the second project of This Old House's milestone 30th Anniversary Season, the crew addresses a pressing national concern: foreclosures. Collaborating with the City of Boston and the local nonprofit Nuestra Comunidad, they aim to transform an abandoned two-family home from the 1870s into affordable housing units in Roxbury, Massachusetts. Host Kevin O'Connor joins local contractor David Lopes, who reveals the extensive damage to the property, prompting immediate demolition of irreparable sections, including a decayed three-story rear extension. Additionally, apprentices from YouthBuild Boston are invited to participate, with master carpenter Norm Abram scouting for two young carpenters at the program's annual carpentry challenge.