EXHIBIT INDEX
 
EXHIBIT NO. 					TITLE

(a)(1)						Letter from Boston Financial Tax 
            Credit Fund VIII, A Limited Partnership 
            to Limited Partners, dated July 24, 1997.
 
BOSTON FINANCIAL TAX CREDIT FUND VIII, A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
101 Arch Street
Boston, MA 02110
 
July 24, 1997


Dear Limited Partner: 

	As you are by now aware, Oldham Institutional Tax Credits LLC, a 
Massachusetts limited liability company (the "Purchaser"), has made an offer 
(the "Oldham Offer") to purchase Units representing units of limited 
partnership interests ("Units") of Boston Financial Tax Credit Fund VIII, A 
Limited Partnership (the "Partnership") for a cash purchase price of $800 per 
Unit. The Purchaser is an affiliate of Arch Street VIII Limited Partnership , 
the general partner of the Partnership (the "General Partner").
 
	The General Partner is expressing no opinion and are remaining neutral 
with respect to the Oldham Offer. Although the General Partner is not making a 
recommendation with respect to the Oldham Offer, the General Partner believes 
that Limited Partners should carefully consider the following factors in 
making their own decision of whether to accept or reject the Oldham Offer:
 
  The Oldham Offer will provide Limited Partners with an immediate 
opportunity to liquidate their investment in the Partnership. Limited 
Partners who have a present or future need for the tax credits and/or tax 
losses from the Units may, however, prefer to retain their Units and not 
tender them pursuant to the Oldham Offer.
 
  As stated by the Purchaser in the Oldham Offer, there may be a conflict of 
interest between the Purchaser's desire to purchase the Units at a low 
price and a Limited Partner's desire to sell its Units at a high price.  
Therefore, Limited Partners might receive greater value if they hold their 
Units, rather than tender. Furthermore, Limited Partners should be aware 
that a secondary market exists for the Units.
 
  LIMITED PARTNERS WILL NO LONGER RECEIVE THE TAX CREDITS AND/OR TAX LOSSES 
FROM THE UNITS SHOULD THEY TENDER PURSUANT TO THE OLDHAM OFFER.
 
  Limited Partners who tender their Units will lose the right to receive any 
future distributions from the Partnership, including distributions from any 
refinancing or sale of the Partnership's properties. The Partnership has 
made no distributions to Limited Partners in the past, and there can be no 
assurance as to the timing, amount or occurrence of any future 
distributions.
 
  Limited Partners should consult with their respective advisors about the 
financial, tax, legal and other consequences of the Oldham Offer.
 
	Enclosed is a copy of the Partnership's Statement on Schedule 14D-9 
which has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and sets 
forth the Partnership's response to the Offer. Limited Partners are advised to 
carefully read the Schedule 14D-9.
 
 	Please do not hesitate to call the Partnership at (800) 829-9210 (ext. 
10) for assistance in any Partnership matter.
 
 	BOSTON FINANCIAL TAX CREDIT FUND
 	VIII, A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP