At Georgetowne Homes, Michelle Wu Announces Agenda to Protect and Stabilize Renters

 Boston, MA— Today, Michelle Wu joined tenants at the Georgetowne Homes to call for citywide action to improve living conditions and protect tenants from eviction across Boston; and pledge to fight for tenant protections including rent stabilization, rental subsidies and building new affordable units. She then visited with a tenant to see their apartment firsthand and talk about the history of activism. Watch the full press conference.

Georgetowne Homes has been an epicenter of organizing, as Georgetowne Tenants United and other organizations have fought back against a wave of evictions served during the pandemic. Georgetowne Tenants United has also been working to organize to get proactive repairs for water damage and other health and safety concerns. 

Michelle Wu’s housing agenda, released yesterday, includes bold plans to protect renters and ensure they can afford to stay in their homes, including advocating for rent stabilization, rental subsidies, increasing affordable housing minimums and zoning reforms to incentivize new affordable development, particularly near transit.

“Housing is a human right. I stand with tenants across Boston who are organizing and dvocating forhousing stability as the foundation for health, safety, and opportunity. The pandemic has deepened the housing and displacement crisis, and we need bold action to keep families in Boston. City government has the power to act, and we need leadership to deliver housing justice,” said Michelle Wu.

“It’s been a tough time, but we are looking forward to better daysfor our community, because this is our home, this is where we live. We don’t want to get out of here, we want to live here. We’re looking forward to working better with our community and keep it safe, and for our children to have better days,” said Gerdy Paulissaint, member of Georgetowne Tenants United.

“Georgetowne is saying, ‘give us your rent, give us your money, and if you have a problem, you can call maintenance and they may come out.’ And that’s been a problem for a long time, even before the pandemic. We need them to do their jobs - to give us what we need... We have to stand up against this because this is going on around the city. We need people to stand up for themselves, make some noise, and say ‘we’re not going to stand for this,’” said Arthur Sutton, member of Georgetowne Tenants United.

Michelle Wu has also released bold proposals to create a Cabinet-level Chief of Worker Empowerment, close the childcare gap, reform the Boston Police Department through the union contract, transform our public schools, enact a Boston Green New Deal and Just Recovery Plan, Food Justice Agenda, Digital Equity Agenda and more. 

波士頓學校委員會2席空缺即日起接受申請

     (Boston Orange 編譯) 波士頓代理市長Kim Janey17日宣佈，即日起至7月8日，學校委員會2席委員空缺接受申請。獲選者將於7月13及14日下午面試。

         申請表可上網下載，填妥後以電子郵件發送到scnominatingpanel@boston.gov，或寄交至波士頓市政府大樓612室。

          Kim Janey表示，波士頓公校的平等，不能再等下去，而她作為市長，致力為所有波士頓公校學童創造機會。她邀請所有關心波士頓公校未來的人，考慮這一重要的服務機會。

           波士頓公校委員會室波士頓公校的管理組織，負責訂立波士頓公校的願景，使命及目標，訂立並監督年度營運預算，聘用、管理並評估公校總監，制定並審核學區政策，以及支持學生的做法。

           波士頓公校的學校委員會共有7名委員，由波士頓市長任命產生。遴選過程是先有一個13人組成的公民提名小組，提出一份推薦名單，波士頓市長再從這名單中挑選。學校委員會並包括一名由波士頓學生顧問委員會所派出的無投票權學生委員。

         為在波士頓學校委員會中進一步的栽培拉丁裔代表，Kim Janey已指派Betty Francisco進入波士頓公校學校委員會提名小組。Francisco是一名住在多徹斯特的波士頓公校學生家長，也是一名創業者，企業高管，律師，以及社區領袖。

           Francisco表示，拉丁裔人在波士頓市人口中佔20%，在波士頓公校中佔42%，學校委員會當然應該有更高比率的拉丁裔代表。她很期待加入提名小組服務。

          Francisco目前是向有色人種所擁有企業投資的社會影響基金-波士頓影響計劃(Boston Impact Initiative)的執行長。在那之前，她是非牟利金融服務公司”指南針營運資金(at Compass Working Capital)的總法律顧問，一直積極參與社區組織，並且是Amplify Latinx / Latina Circle的共同創辦人。

           Francisco已從6月16日上任，刻正和with Laurie Ciardi, Tony Barros, Jerry Howland, Angelina Camacho, Michelle Cannon, Joanne Freeman, Michael McGuire, Susan Ou, Valerie Roberson, John Riordan, Rhoda Schneider, 以及 William Thomas等人，將在30日內，交給Kim Janey一份學校委員會委員推薦名單。

            學校委員會在學年期間，大約每月開會兩次，認可，審核或修改關於支持學校教學，以及學生學習，成就等的相關政策。除了特例的閉門會議之外，所有的委員會會議都面向公眾開放，排有公眾置評時間，同時也在波士頓市府電視台播出。

MAYOR JANEY ANNOUNCES APPLICATIONS BEING ACCEPTED FOR BOSTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE

 

BOSTON - Thursday, June 17, 2021 - Mayor Kim Janey today announced applications are now being accepted by the Citizens Nominating Panel, which is composed of parents, teachers, principals and representatives of the business and higher education communities, to fill two current vacancies on the Boston School Committee. Applications opened today, June 17, and the deadline to submit is Thursday, July 8, 2021 at 11:59pm. No applications will be accepted after this time. An application can be found here and submitted to scnominatingpanel@boston.gov or mailed/delivered to Room 612 of Boston City Hall.  “Equity in Boston Public Schools cannot wait. As Mayor, I am committed to creating opportunities for all children in Boston Public Schools,” said Mayor Janey. “I want to invite those who care about the future of Boston Public Schools to consider this important opportunity to serve.” The Boston School Committee is the governing body of the Boston Public Schools. The School Committee is responsible for: ·    Defining the vision, mission, and goals of the Boston Public Schools; ·    Establishing and monitoring the annual operating budget; ·    Hiring, managing, and evaluating the Superintendent; and ·    Setting and reviewing district policies and practices to support student achievement.   The seven members of the School Committee are Boston residents appointed by the Mayor. The Mayor appoints members from a list of candidates recommended by a 13-member Citizens Nominating Panel. The School Committee also includes a non-voting student member of the Boston Student Advisory Council.   To cultivate further Latinx representation on the Boston School Committee, Mayor Janey has appointed Betty Francisco to the BPS School Committee Nominating Panel. Francisco, a Dorchester resident and BPS parent, is also an entrepreneur, business executive, attorney, and community leader. "I am grateful to Mayor Janey for appointing me to serve on the BPS School Committee Nominating Panel which has the important task of recommending candidates to the Mayor,” said Francisco. “Currently, 20 percent of Boston residents and 42 percent of Boston Public School students are Latino, which calls for having strong and proportionate Latino representation on the School Committee. As a BPS parent and Latino leader in Boston, I appreciate Mayor Janey's commitment to advancing equity in our schools and ensuring that the School Committee is representative of the makeup of BPS students and families. I share her belief that we must continue the important progress made towards achieving the twin goals of excellence and equity in our schools. I look forward to serving on the Panel and contributing towards creating a healthier climate and a more diverse and resilient School Committee." Francisco currently serves as CEO of the Boston Impact Initiative, which is a social impact fund that invests in enterprises owned by people of color. She previously worked as General Counsel at Compass Working Capital, a financial services non-profit that provides financial coaching and asset building programs for families with low incomes. She is also deeply involved in community organizations and serves as a member of the Board of Trustees at Roxbury Community College and the Board of Trustees of the Boston Foundation among others. As the co-founder and board chair of Amplify Latinx / Latina Circle, she works to build economic and political power within the Latinx community in Massachusetts. Francisco began her service June 16, along with Laurie Ciardi, Tony Barros, Jerry Howland, Angelina Camacho, Michelle Cannon, Joanne Freeman, Michael McGuire, Susan Ou, Valerie Roberson, John Riordan, Rhoda Schneider, and William Thomas. The Nominating Panel members will select School Committee nominees for Mayor Janey’s consideration within 30 days of their June 16th meeting.  The School Committee meets approximately twice per month during the school year to adopt, review and modify policies and practices that support teaching, learning and improved student achievement. With the exception of executive sessions, Committee meetings are open to the public, feature public comment periods and are broadcasted on Boston City TV.   An application for the Boston School Committee can be found here. The deadline to submit an application is Thursday, July 8, 2021 at 11:59pm. Interviews for selected candidates will be held on July 13 & 14 from 2:30 - 5:30pm . Please direct all questions and submit completed applications to scnominatingpanel@boston.gov or mail/deliver to Room 612 of Boston City Hall. For more information on the Boston School Committee, please click here.

Baker-Polito Administration Announces Plan to Invest $2.8 Billion in Federal COVID-19 Funding to Support Economic Recovery, Communities Hit Hardest by Pandemic

Baker-Polito Administration Announces Plan to Invest $2.8 Billion in Federal COVID-19 Funding to Support Economic Recovery, Communities Hit Hardest by Pandemic

 

HAVERHILL – The Baker-Polito Administration today announced a plan to immediately put to use approximately $2.815 billion of the Commonwealth’s direct federal aid to support key priorities including housing and homeownership, economic development and local downtowns, job training and workforce development, health care, and infrastructure. The Administration’s plan aims to jump-start the Commonwealth’s economic recovery by investing in urgent priorities, with a particular focus on supporting populations hardest-hit by COVID-19, such as lower-wage workers and communities of color.

 

The plan is being filed as an amendment to “An Act Relative to Transferring Federal Funds to the Federal COVID-19 Response Fund,” which was on the Governor’s desk and is being returned to the Legislature.

 

“Our proposal will immediately invest $2.8 billion toward key priorities that will help jump-start our economic recovery, with a particular focus on those hit hardest by COVID-19, such as communities of color,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “With over four million people fully vaccinated, Massachusetts is getting back to normal and back to work, but it is critical that we act now to make these critical investments to keep our recovery moving. Our Administration appreciates the collaboration of the Legislature and local government in responding to the pandemic, and we all must work together to distribute funding quickly and efficiently to ensure those hard-hit by the virus receive relief as quickly as possible.” 

 

“It is critically important that this $2.8 billion be put to use immediately to address issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and protect the competitive advantages which have allowed Massachusetts to grow and thrive,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “Supporting priorities such as housing, economic development, job training, and infrastructure will help power the Commonwealth into the post-COVID world and ensure Massachusetts remains a great place to live, work, and raise family.”

 

The plan was announced today at an event held at the Mount Washington Homes in Haverhill, a project supported by MassHousing’s CommonWealth Builder program, a program that promotes homeownership in low- and moderate-income communities, particularly communities of color. The Administration’s plan includes $200 million for CommonWealth Builder and similar programs that aim to close the wealth gap faced by communities of color by connecting first-time homebuyers with homeownership opportunities.

 

In total, the plan devotes $1 billion to funding homeownership and housing priorities, a significant investment to help increase housing production and reduce barriers to owning a home as part of the ongoing COVID-19 recovery effort. These new housing resources build upon over $1.6 billion in separate federal funding that has already been allocated to entities throughout the Commonwealth for housing purposes since the start of the pandemic.

 

The $2.815 billion is part of a total of approximately $5.3 billion in direct aid to the Commonwealth from the federal American Rescue Plan Act. These discretionary funds are intended to support urgent COVID-19 response efforts, replace lost revenue, support immediate economic stabilization for households and businesses, and address unequal public health and economic challenges in Massachusetts cities and towns throughout the pandemic. ARPA is also providing a total of $3.4 billion in direct aid for municipalities throughout Massachusetts, as well as substantial funding for key priorities including a total of $1.1 billion for transit. With a focus on increasing capacity for child care and supporting parents as they return to work, the Administration is also proposing to distribute approximately $760 million in additional federal funding to child care providers in Massachusetts over the coming years, and looks forward to working with key stakeholders on the usages of these funds.

 

The remaining $2.3 billion in direct federal aid would stay in the Federal COVID-19 Response Fund, and the Administration looks forward to working closely with the Legislature to allocate these resources in a fiscally responsible and compliant manner.

 

“These substantial resources build upon the separate federal resources the Commonwealth has received throughout the course of the pandemic and strengthen our efforts to promote economic growth and vitality, aid disproportionately impacted communities, and get people back to work,” said Secretary of Administration and Finance Michael J. Heffernan. “We look forward to working with the Massachusetts Legislature to ensure this federal funding is effectively used in fiscally responsible ways to support Massachusetts communities, while complying with all relevant federal guidance.”

 

In addition to this discretionary funding, an additional $35.2 billion in other ARPA funding has been directed to the Commonwealth to support additional areas of recovery including direct aid to municipalities, transportation, and child care. This includes approximately $3.4 billion in direct aid to cities, towns, and counties throughout Massachusetts. The plan therefore includes language allowing a local match for numerous programs to better leverage municipal support, optimize the usage of all available revenue, and maximize the impact of this one-time federal funding.

 

Highlights of the plan include:

 

Housing

• $300 million to support expanded homeownership opportunities, focused on first-time homebuyers who are residents of disproportionately impacted municipalities;
• $200 million to support housing production through MassHousing’s CommonWealth Builder Program and similar efforts, which aim to help communities of color build wealth by promoting home ownership among residents of disproportionately impacted municipalities;
• $200 million to fund rental housing production and provide increased housing options to workers and residents of disproportionately impacted municipalities;
• $300 million to finance the statewide production of senior and veteran housing. These new housing options would contain a supportive services component, and would be combined with other resources including Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, rental payments, and, in the case of veteran housing, VA health care.

 

Economic Development

• $100 million for Downtown Development to concentrate economic growth activities, resources, and investments within local neighborhood areas in municipalities disproportionally impacted by COVID;
• $250 million to support investments and regional collaboration aimed at invigorating downtowns throughout Massachusetts. These resources would provide grant funds to municipalities and other eligible public entities for a range of projects;
• $100 million to support cultural facilities and tourism assets throughout Massachusetts;

 

Workforce Development

• $240 million to fund a suite of job training programs and address skills gaps, to better position residents who want to be hired into jobs that businesses need filled. Areas of investment include:
  • $150 million for workforce credentials for entry and mid-level wages;
  • $35 million to fund English for Speakers of Other Languages programs and Adult Basic Education;
  • $25 million for work readiness and essential skills programs.

 

Health Care

• $50 million for fiscally stressed hospitals in disproportionately impacted municipalities as these hospitals have supported their communities significantly during the pandemic despite interruptions to their revenue streams;
• $175 million for addiction treatment and related behavioral health services.

 

Infrastructure Investment

• $400 million to fund grants for water and sewer infrastructure;
• $300 million to improve culverts, dams, and other environmental infrastructure;
• $100 million to enhance and modernize state park facilities;
• $100 million to close the digital divide and increase broadband internet access, helping to promote workforce development and economic growth
• 
  

馬惠美宣佈參選牛頓市市長 - 2021

馬惠美宣佈參選牛頓市市長。(檔案照片，周菊子攝)

                (Boston Orange 周菊子麻州綜合報導) 麻州今年終於出現一點華裔參選熱度，繼吳弭(Michelle Wu)宣佈參選波士頓市長之後，社區中許多人都熟悉，曾任牛頓市議員多年的馬惠美(Amy Mah Sangiolo)，6月16日晚宣佈，將參選牛頓市(Newton)市長。

                馬惠美將挑戰牛頓市現任市長Ruthanne Fuller，一旦當選，將是牛頓市有史以來的首名亞裔、華裔市長。

               民主黨籍的馬惠美是一名律師，積極的環保份子，目前在麻州總檢察官辦公室擔消費者專員。

                   在馬惠美發出的聲明中，她說，牛頓市需要一名能把透明，問責帶進地方政府，團結帶領牛頓市向前的領導人。她誓言重建學校對市政府的信心，改善學校系統。

馬惠美認為牛頓市需要以真正的社區參與，居民認可的方式來處理區域規劃問題，而且要以對市府財政負責任的態度，來制定、實施策略，創造更多可負擔住宅，以因應社區需求。牛頓市府也需要加強和學校員工的關係，為市內兒童打造更綠化未來，同時照顧耆英。

馬惠美的宣佈參選，使得牛頓市今年的市長選舉更加熱鬧。目前牛頓市現任市長Ruthanne Fuller已宣佈將競選連任，還有也是律師的Albert Cecchinelli。

這三人在2017年時，也都是牛頓市市長候選人。

馬惠美住在牛頓市第四選區，曾連任10屆不分區市議員，2017年在時任市長的Setti Warren宣佈不再競選連任後，加入市長一職的選戰，和其他6人激烈競爭，不幸得票數位居第三，未能擠進大選。

根據麻州競選財務辦公室資料，牛頓市現任市長Fuller手中的競選經費，高逾18萬5000元。馬惠美在2017年參選後，還剩下3300元。Cecchinelli的競選帳戶中，目前只有約500元。

馬惠美表示，她已從牛頓市政府書記處取得提名表。牛頓市的收取提名表截止日期為7月27日。

Fuller已宣佈競選連任，也已交回足夠的經認證支持簽名，確定可列名在選票上。

根據馬惠美的競選資料，她在新澤西州長大，畢業於Barnard學院及羅格斯(Rutgers)法學院，還上過茱麗亞(Juilliard)音樂學院。

從法學院畢業後，她搬到了華府，在幾個非牟利環保機構工作，包括全國野生動物聯盟，參與了時任聯邦參議員John Kerry的改革全國食物保險項目。

馬惠美是麻州亞裔民主黨委員會創辦人，曾任WGBH，麻州大學波士頓分校亞美研究院，以及數個地方組織的董事會董事。她也曾經擔任牛頓市民主黨委員會的副主席。

馬惠美和丈夫John Sangiolo遇有3名子女，都畢業於牛頓市公立學校。

牛頓市總人口88,593，其中亞裔14.8%，華裔約7,526人，佔總人口的8.5%。目前在位的華裔民選代表有學校委員會委員沈安平。

相關文章: https://www.bostonorange.com/2017/04/blog-post_32.html

Baker-Polito Administration Announces $30 Million in Additional Support for Massachusetts Small Businesses

Baker-Polito Administration Announces $30 Million in Additional Support for Massachusetts Small Businesses

Grants will help recovering businesses by increasing lending capacity and expanding non-profit technical assistance network across the Commonwealth

Administration also announces availability of $11.3 million across two new programs to support brick-and-mortar expansion and enhanced digital capabilities

SPRINGFIELD – Today, the Baker-Polito Administration announced $30 million in state funding across four grant programs administered by the Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation (MGCC) to help small businesses recover, grow, and thrive.

 Among these investments, the Administration announced the award of $4 million to 45 non-profit technical assistance providers to continue working with small businesses and entrepreneurs from traditionally underserved communities to grow and expand their businesses.  In addition, the Administration announced $14.7 million in awards to 15 organizations under MGCC’s Community Development Financial Institution and Community Development Corporation’s (CDFI and CDC) Match Grant Program, which funds both lending and mini-grant programs for small businesses. 

 Complementing these investments, the Administration announced the launch of two new programs with $11.3 million available to support small businesses as they recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Biz-M-Power program and Empower Digital’s Development of Digital Capabilities grant program.

 Today’s announcement was made at White Lion Brewing Company, a black-owned business that has benefited from support from Common Capital, Inc, a regional Community Development Financial Institution receiving two grants today, and that has also participated in the COVID-19 Small Business Relief Program.

 “To address the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Commonwealth’s small businesses and main streets, our Administration put forward the largest relief program in the nation as part of our comprehensive plan for economic recovery,” said Governor Charlie Baker.  “With this new round of funding for technical assistance, access to capital, and digital tools, we are strengthening our support for small businesses and taking another major step toward a return to normal.”
 
“The combination of technical assistance and access to capital is critical to supporting businesses along their path to growth and is also a key part of our strategy for economic recovery,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito.  “We are grateful to MGCC for their work to provide vital assistance to small businesses throughout the pandemic.”
 
“These new tools and resources, combined with our Small Business Technical Assistance program, continues our support for small businesses that serve traditionally disadvantaged communities and also suffered disproportionately during the pandemic, and provide them with a path to short-term recovery and long-term success,” said Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy. “By increasing access to essential technical assistance, business education, skills training, and capital, we can help make certain the Commonwealth’s diverse small businesses are a part of the return to normal for our downtowns, main streets and our entire economy.”

 “MGCC is moving into the next phase of supporting the Commonwealth’s economic recovery and I am so excited for MGCC to release these two innovative programs. Biz-M-Power and Empower Digital share an objective of increasing access for entrepreneurs to the tools their businesses need to grow and reach their goals,” said MGCC President and CEO Larry Andrews. “I want to thank my team at Mass Growth Capital, as well as our technical assistance providers, who are our network of partner organizations that help raise awareness of these important efforts. We are grateful to the continued support of the Baker-Polito Administration and the Legislature that enables us to do our important work.”

 This round of Small Business Technical Assistance Grant program awards represents a $4 million commitment to qualifying non-profits that help businesses – many of which are women-, minority-, or veteran-owned enterprises – build operational capacity and strengthen ongoing business development activities, such as one-on-one guidance around applying for loans, building a business plan, and budgeting.  Historically, MGCC’s Small Business Technical Assistance Program has focused on businesses serving low- and moderate-income neighborhoods, underserved communities, and Gateway Cities across the Commonwealth. This low-cost, high-impact program was established to increase the flow of capital into the Commonwealth’s small businesses to assist with recovery, sustainability, resiliency, and growth.

 Through the CDFI and CDC Match Grant Program, MGCC will continue to support lending and mini-grant programs that lower the barriers that small businesses face in accessing essential start-up capital. These $14.7 million in matching funds are being allocated to 15 non-profits that will administer these loan and mini-grant programs to reach small businesses in their communities.

 Through a partnership with the online crowdfunding platform Patronicity, $7.5 million in funding will be available to Biz-M-Power to assist low- and moderate-income entrepreneurs with their acquisition, expansion, improvement or lease of a facility, purchase or lease of equipment, or with meeting other capital needs of their business through matching grants. With the goal of obtaining capital through the earned support of local residents, neighborhoods, community members, and other stakeholders, applicants must be sponsored by a SBTA provider before being accepted into the program. Upon application approval, the business will utilize the crowdfunding platform to leverage community support and raise funding to match the amount requested in their grant application.

 The $3.8 million provided to Empower Digital’s Grant Program for the Development of Digital Capabilities program provides funding for the needs of small businesses seeking tools and services to develop their digital capabilities. Funds may be used to seek professional services such as website developers, copywriters, social media strategists, and graphic designers and strategic hardware/software purchases. Applicants must be sponsored by a SBTA Provider who will help them maximize the impact of the grant through their understanding of the small business landscape, familiarity with the digital needs of small businesses, and their extensive network of collaborators.

 “As we crafted last year’s budget during a global pandemic, we sought to center Massachusetts’ recovery on support for small businesses,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka. “I’m proud to say that, as a Commonwealth, we’re doing just that. The Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation is an ideal vehicle to distribute new investments in small businesses as well as to aid organizations which support new entrepreneurs. By ensuring that traditionally underserved communities are included, we’re taking one more step towards an inclusive and equitable recovery.”

 “The Massachusetts House is focused on restoring the economic loss caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and setting the Commonwealth on a path toward recovery,” said Speaker of the House Ronald J. Mariano. “The grants being awarded today, along with other protective and relief measures we have provided, will help our small businesses grow as they contribute to our local economies. The House was proud to support these programs through last year’s budget and remains committed to doing so as this legislative session continues.”

 “Governor Charlie Baker and Lt. Governor Karyn Polito have been great partners in assisting me in leveraging monetary and technical assets to help not only stabilize our businesses, but just as important, help them to thrive as we move to defeat this COVID-19,” said Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno.

 “The state’s support for CDFIs and CDCs that lend money to underserved small businesses is an investment in the entrepreneurs and job creators that drive our economy,” said Raymond Lanza-Weil, President of Common Capital. “We are grateful for the State’s funding of our small business loan and technical assistance programs.”

 "White Lion Brewing Company continues to be a beneficiary of a strong business development and sustainability eco-system; it is encouraging to witness cooperating quasi-public, public, non-profit and private institutions working collectively for the greater good to see small businesses thrive in the Commonwealth,” said Raymond Berry, Jr., Founder of White Lion Brewing Company. “We were very fortunate to be one of 15,000 small businesses that Mass. Growth Capital provided financial relief to during a period where many businesses would have shuttered otherwise.  Our brewery is standing today due to those resources in turn affording us an opportunity to create and retain jobs."

A total of $11.3 million in funds have been appropriated for the two new programs in the Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21) Operating Budget passed by the Legislature and signed by Governor Baker.  Biz-M-Power will make a total of $7.5 million available to program participants through matching grants of up to $20,000. A match of up to $5,000 is being offered through the Empower Digital’s Digital Capabilities program, with a total of $3.8 million available. The Small Business Technical Assistance Program and the CDFI and CDC Match Grant Program were also funded through the FY21 Operating Budget.
 
As part of the Administration’s Partnerships for Recovery initiative to stabilize and grow the Massachusetts economy, these programs follow the success of the largest state-sponsored business relief program in the nation that distributed $705 million to 15,428 businesses in relief grants and loan forgiveness. MGCC loan recipients were given the opportunity to apply for forgiveness for their pandemic loans by demonstrating a significant adverse financial effect from COVID-19. Over the duration of the program, 43 percent of MGCC grants were awarded to minority-owned businesses, and 46 percent of grants went to women-owned businesses. Recovery efforts have also included MGCC Small Business Technical Assistance grants and matching grants for Community Development Financial Institutions and Community Development Corporations; the $1.6 million Travel and Tourism Recovery Grant Pilot Program to promote recovery in the tourism industry; a “Let’s Go Out” restaurant promotion campaign; and a $9.5 million effort underway to help 125 communities pursue locally-driven, actionable strategies to support downtown and commercial districts through the Local Rapid Recovery Planning program.

Michelle Wu Releases Housing Agenda, Calling for Bold Action to Make it Affordable to Live in Boston

Michelle Wu Releases Housing Agenda, Calling for Bold Action to Make it Affordable to Live in Boston 

Boston, MA— Michelle Wu today announced a Housing Justice Agenda to expand access to stable, affordable housing for every Bostonian. Her policies would expand rental and homeownership opportunities, increase housing stock and improve housing stability for low and middle-income Bostonians, residents of color and seniors.

Boston is now the second-most expensive city in the country to own a home, and the fifth-most expensive city to rent. Half of Boston renters are cost-burdened as the price of homeownership rises. 

Because of Boston’s unaffordable cost of housing, our city has continued to lose working families, shown by the fact that our school-aged population is about half what it was in 1970. Disparities in homeownership are a main driver of Boston’s vast racial wealth gap. Evictions have also been on the rise since state protections lapsed and rental markets rebounded. 

Wu’s Housing Justice Agenda emphasizes the key points she will take on as Mayor, including:

• Committing at least $200 of $500 in federal relief dollars directly to housing;
• Rent stabilization and at least $10 million in rental subsidies;
• Property tax relief for senior citizens and others on fixed income;
• Zoning reforms to streamline and accelerate the construction of affordable housing, including eliminating parking requirements and most review for 100% affordable projects and public housing, and increasing density near transit corridors;
• Expanding access to homeownership through mortgage support, matched savings programs, municipal homeownership vouchers and other nontraditional financing mechanisms;
• Leveraging the City’s capital budget and historically  low interest rates to directly build new affordable housing and grow our social housing sector;
• Building affordable and supportive housing on city assets like schools and libraries; and
• Ensuring housing is resilient, energy-efficient and able to withstand the effects of climate change. 

‘The top concern I hear from families as I’m knocking on doors, at events and speaking with neighbors is the need for housing affordability and the stress of spending more and more to try to stay in Boston. The next mayor needs to take on our housing crisis with the scale and urgency Bostonians deserve. Affording a home of one's own should not be a distant, far-off dream in Boston, accessible only to some. Being able to make rent should not be a monthly struggle. If we want to keep families here and attract people from all over the world, we need to tackle our housing crisis head-on,” said Michelle Wu. 

Michelle Wu has also released bold proposals to create a Cabinet-level Chief of Worker Empowerment, close the childcare gap, transform our public schools, reform the Boston Police Department through contract negotiations, enact a Boston Green New Deal and Just Recovery Plan, Food Justice Agenda, Digital Equity Agenda and more.