Boston Mayor Signs Prevailing Wage Order, Triples Homebuyer Assistance for City Residents

BOSTON — July 22, 2026 — Boston mayor signs prevailing wage order and triples homebuyer assistance in equity push. At a July 22 press event, the mayor, joined by Chief of Housing Shayla Dillon, CFO Justin Sterritt, and Workforce Development Director Trinh Nguyen, announced a $2.4 million expansion of the Boston Home Center First-Time Homebuyer Assistance Program, raising the maximum grant for three-family home purchases to $40,000 — up from an average the mayor said was less than a third of that figure. A simultaneously signed executive order requires city contracts for cleaning and security services to pay $14.85 to $20.00 per hour, plus $6.26 to $6.70 per hour in health and pension benefits, with rates tied to the Massachusetts Department of Labor Standards schedule and effective July 1. Worker advocates Dan Nicolai and Grisela Sadellin, a cleaner, were recognized at the event for their living-wage advocacy.