Seems there's a rumor going around Dedham that when Roslindale's Washington-Beech housing project is torn down for renovations, the tenants would be moved en masse to that fair town, and you know what that means.

Didn't seem logical to me (why would Boston residents be forced to move to another town, wouldn't they then stop being Boston residents?), but I asked Lydia Agro, communications director for the Boston Housing Authority, which is coordinating the $100-million rehab. Her basic answer: No. Her longer answer follows:

When the Boston Housing Authority redevelops a public housing development, it follows a written relocation policy that dictates how and where residents are relocated. Under such a policy, BHA residents in good standing are given the following options. They may choose to go to another BHA development of their choice either temporarily (and then move back to the redeveloped property, which in this case would be Washington Beech) or permanently. If they choose another BHA development, they would be relocated within the City of Boston as the BHA does not own any public housing outside of Boston. Residents also have the right to choose a Section 8 voucher, either temporarily (again, in this instance, they would move back to the redeveloped property, Washington Beech, when work is completed) or permanently. Under the Section 8 program, residents may move to any city or town within the United States, including Dedham. It is up to the individual tenant to find an apartment and complete a rental agreement with the landlord of that property. It is important to note that the BHA only relocates residents who are in good standing and that any resident who is currently under eviction or has violated their lease due to criminal activity or nonpayment of rent will not be relocated.