MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES NEARLY $39M FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN BOSTON

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES NEARLY $39M FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN BOSTON 

Funding will create or preserve 1,194 housing units 

BOSTON - Monday, May 18, 2015 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced nearly $39 million to support affordable housing developments in neighborhoods throughout Boston. The funding, which will create or preserve 1,194 housing units, is possible through $27 million in federal and local resources through the Department of Neighborhood Development (DND) and $11.7 million in linkage funds through Boston's Neighborhood Housing Trust. 

"It is imperative that we continue to support affordable housing in our neighborhoods, and this funding will help many of our families in need of safe housing stay in their homes," said Mayor Walsh. "By investing in housing, we are supporting economic development and creating jobs that will revitalize Boston's neighborhoods for future generations." 

In addition, the funding will:

• Leverage more than $575 million in public and private investment in neighborhoods;
• Create an estimated 1,200 construction jobs; and 
• Set aside 196 units for homeless or extremely low-income families. 

The development budgets for all proposals will total over $614 million of public and private investment in Boston, with the City's investment representing 6 percent of the total capital needed. Many of the proposals are seeking additional support from the state, and Mayor Walsh will work with the Baker Administration and the Department of Housing and Community Development to ensure that Boston has the resources necessary to support much-needed affordable housing.

Following is a complete list of the developments that have received funding awards:

Allston-Brighton:

Waverly Abby, Bridge Over Troubled Waters, 28 Units, 28 Affordable Units

This development proposes the renovation and expansion of two existing buildings owned and managed by Bridge Over Troubled Waters (BOTW).  The development will result in a 28 all-affordable bed facility for single parents and transitional living opportunities for at-risk youth and families.    

132 Chestnut Hill Avenue, JCHE,  61 units, 61 Affordable Units

Jewish Community Housing for the Elderly (JCHE) intends to create 61 units of affordable elderly housing on land from the Boston Redevelopment Authority.   The development will include seven units of housing for formerly homeless seniors and a five unit studio grouping for aging adults with lifelong disabilities.   This development will be adjacent to JCHE’s existing campus of housing. 

Residences at Brighton Marine, Brighton Marine Housing LP, Brighton, 108 Units, 86 Affordable Units

Brighton Marine Health Center and Winn Development will construct a new building and renovate one of the historic buildings on the site currently owned by Brighton Marine.  This will create 108 units of mixed income housing with a veterans’ preference.  Eighty-six of the units will be affordable.  

Charlestown

Ropewalk, Frontier Enterprise, Inc., 80 Units 26 Affordable Units

Frontier Enterprises has been designated by the Boston Redevelopment Authority to redevelop two historic buildings located in the Charlestown Navy Yard.  Construction will consist of the gut rehabilitation of an industrial building into 80 units of mixed-income rental housing and the creation of 4,000 square feet of museum space.  Twenty-six units will be restricted as affordable.  The museum space will display equipment and other items used in the historic rope manufacturing process. 

Dorchester

Harmon Apartments, The Boston Home,  39 Units, 33 Affordable Units

The Boston Home will create the Harmon Apartments development on their campus in Dorchester.  The developer will construct a 39-unit, mixed-income rental housing development for individuals and families with progressive neurological disabilities.   Thirty-three units will be restricted as affordable; all units will be handicapped accessible with specialized technology and services that will allow those with neurological disabilities to continue to live independently.   

Ashmont TOD II, Trinity Financial, 87 Units, 53 Affordable Units

Trinity Financial is proposing to create a mixed-use residential development located on Ashmont Street in Dorchester across from their successful mixed use residential building, The Carruth.  The project will create a total of 87 units consisting of 48 affordable rental units and 39 ownership units. 

Wayne at Bicknell, Cruz Development, 72 Units, 72 Affordable

Cruz Development is proposing the refinance and renovation of a 72-unit expiring-use project that is currently operated as affordable housing serving a very low income population.

Talbot Commons Phase I, Codman Square NDC, 40 Units, 40 Affordable Units

Talbot Commons is the first of a two phase development that Codman Square Community Development Corporation plans to construct in the Talbot Avenue/New England Avenue area.  The development will rehabilitate existing buildings, preserving and improving 21 existing affordable units and creating 19 new units of affordable rental housing, including artist live-work units and gallery space, on scattered sites along the Fairmont line.  

Greater Four Corners Pilot Project, COHIF,  10 Units, 10 Affordable Units

The Coalition for Occupied Homes in Foreclosure, Inc. (COHIF) has acquired four scattered site properties with a total of ten units in the Greater Four Corners and Grove Hall areas of Dorchester and Roxbury.   These properties will be rehabilitated and provide long term affordable rental opportunities for families.

  

Downtown/Central

Boylston Street Rehab, St. Francis House & POUA,  46 Units, 46 Affordable Units

St. Francis House and the Planning Office for Urban Affairs (POUA)  are proposing to redevelop 48 Boylston Street in downtown Boston into affordable housing.  The development will create 46 units of affordable housing, of which 26 units will be set aside for homeless individuals.  This is the first of a three-phase development slated for this site. 

The Beverly Street Project- Parcel 1B, Related Beal, Downtown, 239 Units, 239 Affordable Units

Related Beal LLC is proposing a 239-unit affordable housing, mixed use development in downtown Boston.  The units will provide affordable housing options to a wide range of incomes from extremely low income households at 30 percent of the area median income (AMI) up to households with incomes at 165 percent of AMI.  

East Boston

Paris Village, East Boston CDC, East Boston, 32 Units, 32 Affordable Units

East Boston Community Development Corporation (EBCDC) will construct 32 units of affordable family rental housing in East Boston on vacant land that is currently underutilized.  EBCDC has acquired the site and the new housing abuts the former Salesian Boys building.  

Coppersmith Village Rental and Homeownership, NOAH, East Boston, 56 Units, 41 Affordable Units

Neighborhood of Affordable Housing (NOAH) is creating a new mixed use, mixed income development in the heart of East Boston.  The project will replace a vacant industrial building and remediate a brownfields site.  The development will create 56 rental units, of which 41 units will be affordable.  The development will also include commercial space for a local restaurant and create 15 for-sale units of housing, of which 8 will be affordable units.  

Hyde Park

Residence at Fairmount Station,  Southwest Boston CDC, 27 Units, 27 Affordable Units

This development is a 27 unit affordable mixed–income, transit-oriented development adjacent to the Fairmount Avenue Station on the Fairmount Indigo commuter rail stop in Hyde Park.  The development is co-sponsored and developed by Southwest Boston CDC and Codman Square NDC. 

Mattapan

Brookview House III, Brookview House, 12 Units, 12 Affordable Units

Brookview House, Inc. proposes to construct a development that will create 12 units of homeless housing for families, along with a youth center for children ages 6 to 19, including classroom space.  

Mission Hill

Parcel 25 – Phase 1A, Mission Hill NHS, 40 units, 40 Affordable Units

Mission Hill Neighborhood Housing Services (MHNHS) will develop a vacant parcel formerly owned by the MBTA, located across from the Roxbury Crossing MBTA Station.  The MHNHS will construct a five story, mixed use building that will create 40 units of affordable housing along with community-focused commercial space on the first floor and a new home for Metropolitan Boston Housing Partnership (MBHP) on the second level.  

Roxbury

Bartlett Yard – Building B, Nuestra Communidad, 60 Units, 38 Affordable Units

Nuestra Communidad and Windale Developers will construct a 60 unit, mixed income and mixed use development.  Thirty-eight units will be restricted as affordable.  This building will be located at the former MBTA bus yard in Dudley Square. 

Walker Park Apartments, Urban Edge, 49 Units, 49 Affordable Units

Urban Edge is proposing to construct two new buildings located on two different sites in the Egleston Square section of Boston.  The buildings will provide 49 new units of affordable rental housing.  The project is a Lean Pilot Project that seeks to streamline the pre-development, construction approval process and reduce costs. 

Kasanoff Homes (Ownership), Nuestra Communidad, 16 Units, 16 Affordable Units

Nuestra Comunidad Development Corporation will complete the second phase of the former Kasanoff Bakery site.  This development will create 16 units of affordable mixed income ownership housing with incomes ranging up to 100 percent of median income.

The Clarion, The Community Builders, 40 Units, 32 Affordable Units

The Community Builders is proposing to construct two buildings on the combined site: a four story, mixed use building along with ground floor commercial along Blue Hill Avenue and a 2 ½ story two-family residences on Holborn Street in Roxbury.  The development will create 40 units of rental housing, of which 32 units will be affordable.   

South Boston

374 Dorchester Street, Bay Cove, 21 Units, 21 Affordable Units

This development proposes the renovation of a building recently purchased by Bay Cove Human Services, the long-term manager of the property.   After the renovations, the development will result in a 21-bed facility for homeless individuals. 

206 West Broadway, South Boston NDC, South Boston, 16 Units, 16 Affordable Units

South Boston Neighborhood Development Corporation (South Boston NDC) and Caritas Communities will create a four story building on two City of Boston parcels, creating a 16 unit affordable rental development on West Broadway in South Boston.  This site is located two blocks from transit.

Spring 2015 ACMA Medical Career Education and Free Medical Consultation 5/30

Spring 2015 ACMA Medical Career Education and Free Medical  
Consultation on May 30, 2015 in Lexington MA

Attention: Time Change for May 30th, 2015 ACMA Medical Career  
Education and Medical Consultation Sessions

To accommodate the overwhelming number of signups, the schedule for  
the ACMA medical career education and medical consultation on May 30th  
at Lexington’s Cary Memorial Library has been revised.

1.    Medical career education session (How to apply medical school and  
residency)
Time: 9:30-11:00am, with registration beginning at 9:15am.
Location: Large Meeting Room, Lexington’s Cary Memorial Library
The online registration will be closed soon.
2.    Free medical consultation
Time: 11:30-1:00pm
Location: Large Meeting Room, Lexington’s Cary Memorial Library,
Address: 1874 Massachusetts Ave, Lexington, Ma 02420

DA Conley Delivers $7,500 to Two Dorchester Non-Profits

DA Conley Delivers $7,500 to Two Dorchester Non-Profits

BOSTON, May 19, 2015— District Attorney Daniel F. Conley this week delivered thousands of dollars in seized drug money to two Dorchester non-profits that will use the funds to help Boston youth stay away from drugs, gangs, and risky behavior.

As part of his annual Asset Forfeiture Community Reinvestment Program, Conley yesterday visited St. Peter’s Youth Center and Cape Verdean Community Unido to deliver a total of $7,500 in cash awards from assets seized during Suffolk County narcotics trafficking prosecutions.  This year, Conley will present similar awards to 18 non-profits, funding safe, healthy activities for kids and teens from all walks of life across Suffolk County.

Conley presented a check for $4,000 to St. Peter’s Teen Center to support the group’s summer sports and wellness programs.  As part of its programming to steer youth away from gangs, violence, and drugs, the Catholic Charities-operated teen center hosts approximately 120 young people at monthly sports events where they have positive opportunities to interact with police, city leaders, and other community members. 

Conley presented CVC Unido with a check for $3,500 to help provide opportunities for teens and young adults in the non-profit’s Teen Leadership Academy, which aims to improve civic engagement among the at-risk youth served by the organization.  The grant will partially fund youth organizer and youth leader positions and help provide necessary supplies.

Groups across Boston, Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop will split about $66,000 in cash awards this year at no cost to taxpayers: every cent comes from assets seized during drug trafficking prosecutions. State auditors previously reviewed the process in Suffolk County and gave it high marks for turning “the profits of crime into something positive for the community” while carefully documenting all forfeiture-related income and expenditures.

The annual grant process begins in the summer, with application forms available on the Suffolk DA’s website: http://www.suffolkdistrictattorney.com/partnerships-and-prevention/asset-forfeiture-reinvestment-program/.

MAYOR WALSH SIGNS BOSTON'S FIRST EVER PAID PARENTAL LEAVE POLICY

MAYOR WALSH SIGNS BOSTON'S FIRST EVER PAID PARENTAL LEAVE POLICY 

BOSTON - Monday, May 18, 2015—Mayor Martin J. Walsh today signed an ordinance establishing paid parental leave for City of Boston employees, Boston's first-ever Paid Parental Leave policy. The ordinance, which was proposed by Councilors Michelle Wu, Tim McCarthy and Tito Jackson, allows for up to six weeks of Paid Parental Leave to both men and women, as well as same-sex couples, who have worked for the City for at least one year.

"I would like to thank the Council for working with the Administration to pass this important step forward for working families," said Mayor Walsh. "This is not only the right thing to do but it is important to the vitality and economy of our city. The benefits of this policy to both individuals and organization are a win-win and it is my hope that businesses will follow our lead and extend this benefit to their employees."

Previous parental leave policies, such as the Family and Medical Leave Act and Massachusetts Parental Leave Act, have focused on protecting parents' jobs during unpaid leave. The lack of income during periods of parental leave is a factor in the wage gap experienced by many women, and forces employees to return to work sooner than their particular family may really need with their newborn or newly adopted child.

Mayor Walsh is proud to have worked with the Council to adopt a Paid Parental Leave policy that features:

• Up to 6 weeks of Paid Parental Leave to be taken by day or week any time during the first year after the birth or adoption of the child or children.
• Applies to all exempt employees, both male and female, who have worked for the City for a minimum of one year, including same-sex couples, and employees covered by collective bargaining agreements whose agreements explicitly provide for this benefit.
• Applies for each instance of eligible employees' birth of newborns,adoption, surrogacy or other methods, and stillbirths.
• Cannot be added to periods of unpaid, job-protected leave and, therefore, runs concurrently.

Pay during a parental leave shall be structured as follows: 100-percent for the first 2 weeks; 75-percent for weeks 3 and 4; and 50-percent for weeks 5 and 6.

As a State Representative, Mayor Walsh was the lead sponsor of the legislation that went into effect this past April, which updated the former Massachusetts Maternity Leave Act of 1972, renaming it the Massachusetts Parental Leave Act and codified that it would be available for men, women and male same-sex couples for the first time. 

Governor Baker Announces Availability of Federal Small Business Recovery Loans

Governor Baker Announces Availability of Federal Small Business Recovery Loans

Up to $2 million in low-interest disaster recovery loans available for small businesses, private non-profits

BOSTON – Today, Governor Charlie Baker and Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito announced that in response to the governor’s May 12^th request, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has made low-interest Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) available for Massachusetts small businesses and private non-profits impacted by this winter’s historic and unprecedented snowfall and freezing temperatures.

“The impact of unprecedented temperatures and snowfall is still being felt on main streets throughout the Commonwealth where extreme weather and crippled public transportation hindered day-to-day operations and the ability of customers and employees to get to work, frequent their local businesses or provide critical services,” said Governor Baker. “As we continue to work with state and federal disaster officials and pursue public transit reforms, these low-interest loans are key to providing economic recovery assistance to Massachusetts’ small businesses and non-profits.”

Up to $2 million in low-interest loans for working capital needs are available to qualifying entities impacted by winter weather conditions between January 26, 2015 and February 22, 2015 in Barnstable, Bristol, Essex, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk and Worcester counties, at rates of 4.00% for small businesses and 2.625% for non-profit organizations with terms up to 30 years.

“After an especially trying winter with record snowfall and freezing temperatures, many of our small businesses and non-profits are still struggling to make up for the lost opportunities and activity,” said Lt. Governor Polito. “We encourage those who are eligible to pursue the resources being made available by the Small Business Administration to aid in the recovery of the economic vitality of our cities and towns across the Commonwealth.”

Eligible organizations or businesses are encouraged to visit the SBA’s secure Electronic Loan Application (ELA) website, https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela, to apply, or to download an application from http://www.sba.gov/. Completed applications should be submitted no later than February 15, 2016 to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.

Further information and assistance is available from the SBA’s Customer Service Center:

By Phone:       1-800-659-2955

1-800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing

By Email:         disastercustomerservice@sba.gov

中華專協從莎士比亞談到清明上河圖，中國瓷器

 紐英崙中華專業人員協會講座與會者合影。（戴斯夢攝）

(Boston Orange)紐英崙中華專業人員協會（NEACP）十六日下午在麻省理工學院媒體實驗室，從莎士比亞，“清明上河圖”談到中國瓷器。一連四小時講下來，五十多名與會者熱情不減，聽得非常投入。

紐英崙中華專業人員協會會長周萬欽（左），董事長王世輝（右）
請來經文處教育組組長黃薳玉（中）做嘉賓。（戴斯夢攝）

當天的講座共有三名講者，分別是哈佛大學訪問學者暨長庚大學教授鄭惠芳，紐英崙中華專業人員協會董事長王世輝，以及在高科技業工作的曹伯禹博士。

中華專業人員協會會長周萬欽表示，該會這次講座從西方文學，一路談到中國文化，讓身處美國的華人，更加心領神會中西文學，文化異同與想像牽連。

前述三名講者當日依序講談莎士比亞，《清明上河圖》和中國瓷器。

王世輝（右）和曹伯禹是小學同學。（戴斯夢攝）

鄭惠芳的發言以“文學丶文化與莎士比亞”為題，從文學的定義開始說起。她講解了世界上主流語言的變化，提到語言的使用是由一個國家的軍事、政治、經濟、文化等綜合實力所決定。

在追溯歷史時，鄭惠芳分析了莎士比亞所處時代背景，和他對現代世界的影響，更特別提及莎士比亞戲劇在中國的演變、發展歷程。

她在會中邀請觀眾和她一起吟誦莎士比亞詩句，欣賞著名的詩篇和對話片段，甚至高歌了數曲。她的演講在她分享“仲夏夜之夢”劇中詩篇後結束。

本身是牙醫，卻酷愛文學喜收藏的中華專業人員協會董事長王世輝，這天講“我看清明上河圖”。

他以自己年少時就收藏《清明上河圖》郵票做引子，介紹了《清明上河圖》繪成時的宋代歷史和地理背景。他把《清明上河圖》分成十多張圖片，一一點數圖片中的特點。出席者紛紛發表各自的意見，討論氣氛十分熱烈。中場休息時，還有許多人跑去和他討論，分享他們對不同版本《清明上河圖》的心得。

曹伯禹博士和王世輝是小學同學。他本身在高科技界工作，二年多前才開始收藏，研究中國陶瓷，但已頗有心得。他用自己的收藏品來介紹不同朝代的不同瓷器，以及其特色。一名出席者會後表示，聽了曹伯禹的介紹後，下次她去博物館時，會更注意瓷器的工藝品質。

紐英崙中華專業人員協會會長周萬欽表示，該會今年以來，已辦過經濟、政治、健康等話題的講座，這次的文學講座出席人數之多，大出人意料之外，既讓人高興，也可見大波士頓人對文學，藝術及文化，興趣之濃厚。

駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處教育組組長黃薳玉，當天特地出席活動，以示鼓勵。

台灣大廚秀美食 深入鱈魚角

波士頓安良工商會主辦的僑委會“臺灣美食廚藝巡迴講座”活動，今年從波士頓市區走進麻州郊區，十五日晚在波士頓龍鳳酒樓， 十六日晚在鱈魚角“美食之家”推出“大廚宴”。

十五日晚在波士頓龍鳳酒樓擺出來的菜餚，包括台式北京烤鴨、四色拼盤、湯、沙窩獅子頭、兩道素食、松子燒黃魚、櫻花蝦等，共十道菜，享用價格每人三十五元。

駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處處長賴銘琪，副處長陳銘俊，紐英崙中華公所主席阮鴻燦，波士頓市議員吳弭，波士頓僑務諮詢委員陳家驊，僑務委員馬滌凡等嘉賓與出席大眾大快朵頤，盛讚每道菜都色香味俱全。

喜歡做菜的出席者指出，得過許多獎的潘盟仁，蔡萬利這兩名大廚，把每道菜都形容得很容易調理，當晚品嚐結果也的確入口不油膩，顯然很健康，有機會一定要自己動手試試。

當晚波士頓安良工商會，紐英崙至孝篤親公所是支持最力的出席社團。一眾出席者各自圍桌而聚，邊享美食，兼論社區時事，度過愜意一晚。

            十六日晚，波士頓華僑文教中心為把台灣美食推廣到麻州郊區去，在波士頓華商經貿聯誼會會長郭競儒推介下，把兩名大廚帶到離波士頓市中心有一個半小時之遠，人口只有31,532的鱈魚角觀光勝地Falmouth鎮去，在洪榮倫，徐曉玲所開設美食之家 (Peking Palace)舉辦了一場廚藝交流。

            這場晚宴以西人賓客為主要對象，出席嘉賓中包括刻在波士頓做哈佛大學訪問學者的總統府資政江宜樺，排出的菜餚顯然更加豐盛，包括雙拼─府城蝦捲、台式蜜番茄，雙拼─黃金泡菜、五味鮮墨魚，日式生魚片，台式風味烤鴨，蒜泥蒸龍蝦，四喜山藥捲，花開富貴，台式蒜味煎牛排，台式八寶滷鮮羹，櫻花蝦米糕，水果拼盤。

            洪榮倫坦言，當地居民以西人為多，習慣了口味重，調料多的西式中餐，兩名大廚展示的健康菜餚，居然清淡得來味道絕佳，都忍不住探問到底用了什麼材料，烹飪步驟有哪些。

            Falmouth商會會長Zavala Jay應邀出席，品嘗佳餚後，也頻頻表示，希望兩名大廚明年再來。

         

圖片說明：

            波士頓市議員吳弭（中）也讚兩名大廚，潘盟仁（左），蔡萬利（右）的廚藝讚。（圖由波士頓華僑文教中心提供）

            右起，陳毓璇，阮鴻燦，劉秀春，黃國健，郭大文，蔡萬利，潘盟仁，李天生，吳弭，陳家驊，陳文棟，梅伍銀寬，陳銘俊，梅麗梨等人享用美食後合影。（圖由波士頓華僑文教中心提供）

            左起，波士頓華僑文教中心主任郭大文、Falmouth商會會長Zavala Jay、駐波士頓經文處處長賴銘琪、潘盟仁、美食之家東家徐小玲、總統府資政江宜樺、蔡萬利、波士頓華商經貿聯誼會會長郭競儒、僑務委員馬滌凡、美食之家東家洪榮倫。（圖由波士頓華僑文教中心提供）

四重量級人馬爭當首任四年制昆士市長

昆士市今年的市長選舉，勢必激烈，已知有六人參選，其中四人均為昆市重量級政治人物。

競選第五度連任，52歲的昆士市長柯奇（Thomas P. Koch），前任昆市長，55歲的費連（William J. Phelan)，昆市資深不分區市議員，50歲的古楚（Douglas S. Gutro），以及昆市學校委員會委員，49歲的馬洪妮（Anne M. Mahoney）等四人，都是昆士市居民熟悉的政治人物，各有支持者。

其中的馬洪妮，費連都曾經和柯奇競爭市長職位，但敗陣而下。一個月前，坊間傳出費連將參與角逐昆士市長一職，但他直到上週才確定將參選。

        昆市英文報章指這四人都很有經驗，對於昆市應該如何經營，各有強烈的主觀看法，對於昆市過去這八年來做得好還是不好，意見分歧。

            人口九萬三千多的昆市，今年將是第一次選出一名可一任做四年的市長，在昆市正在進行大規模土地重新發展之際，市長一職變得格外重要。

            在昆市中心改建，鄰近一帶景觀大變之際，昆市也正在和聯邦政府協商，以確定哪些住宅屋主必須購買水災保險。昆市也面對著昆士醫療中心關門，昆市成為麻州中境內連一家醫院都沒有的最大城市這窘況。

            昆市將於九月廿二日進行初選，剩下的兩人再於十一月三日面對大選。