波士頓市選區重劃市議會將繼續討論 華人前進會呼籲別分割華埠與南端

華人前進會主席陳玉珍(前中)率華埠居民在波士頓市政府
廣場前呼籲重視華埠社區聲音。 (周菊子攝)

               (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓綜合報導) 波士頓市議會在法院駁回他們去年通過的選區重劃地圖後，19日第二度就此召開會議，但爭辯4小時，仍無結論，目前已排定2次後續會議。華人前進會的別分隔華埠和南端 (South End) 呼籲，議員們似乎還未關注。

在波士頓市近400年歷史中，參選市議員的華裔，迄今只有2人，
第一位是李素影 (見圖)，第2位是如今已當上波士頓市長的吳弭。 
(周菊子攝)

              波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu) 曾示意，希望市議會在5月30日之前，制定新的選區畫分地圖，以避免影響今年的選舉日程。1983年波士頓市的選舉，就因為選區重劃而延誤了2星期。

              選區重劃是美國在每10年1次的人口統計後，例必辦理的選舉相關事務，宗旨是盡量平均每一選區內的選民人口數。去年11月，波士頓市議會就在漂浮著族裔關係緊張的氣氛中，通過了一份選區重劃地圖。當時的媒體解讀為，Frank Baker、Erin Murphy, 、愛德華費連 (Ed Flynn)和 Michael Flaherty這4名白人議員都投了反對票的選區地圖，主要是沿著族裔界線來劃分的。

波士頓華埠居民19日再次出席波士頓市議會的選區重劃會議。
(周菊子攝)

              在靠近第2選區的海港區 (Seaport)人口近年大增之下，為平均選區人口，新地圖把南波士頓一部分，劃進主要包括多徹斯特 (Dorchester) 的第3選區，還更動了第3及第4選區內的一些小選區。其他選區則基本上變動不大。

              由於新選區地圖有9名議員投了贊成票，所以就算吳弭市長否決，市議會也有足夠票數，推翻市長的否決。

左起，波士頓市議員Michael Flaherty， 愛德華費連 (Ed Flynn)，以及已宣佈不再
競選連任的第3區市議員 Frank Baker。 (周菊子攝)

              其後的發展是，波士頓市民主黨第6選區黨部就選區地圖重劃一事向法院遞案申訴。有人發現，其經費來自波士頓第

波士頓市華埠選區重劃，4份地圖建議差異一覽表。(華人前進會提供。) 

3選區市議員Frank Baker自掏腰包，捐款一萬元給民主黨第7選區，再轉捐給民主黨第6選區黨部的錢。

              聯邦法院法官Patti Saris在5月8日時發出初步禁制令，稱提訟方辯稱的”在選區重劃上，族裔因素被錯誤的列入考量”這理由，很可能成立，不准波士頓市在今年秋天的選舉中，使用該選區地圖，要求波士頓市議會重訂地圖。

              從去年到今年，波士頓市議會議員們在討論選區重劃時，各人意見不一，言語尖刻，一度還延伸到天主教徒和清教徒之間的差異，之後出現第3區市議員Frank Baker宣佈不再競選連任，5月17日，波士頓市議會一下子面對包括波士頓市長吳弭，以及市議員Michael Flaherty，Ruthzee Louijeune， Kendra Lara提出的共4份選區重劃地圖。19日，主持會議的Ruthzee Louijeune最後決定請議員們以她所提地圖版本，做後續討論依據。

              華人前進會在5月15日，波士頓市議會在法官裁決後，第1次討論選區重劃一事時，就率眾湧入市議會旁聽席之後，19日在主席陳玉珍率隊下，再次率眾出席，希望波士頓市議員們重視華埠居民的聲音。

              19日在率眾踏進市議會旁聽席之前，華人前進會在市政府廣場上先做了一場直播，表達對選區重劃的強烈關切，申言應集結第3-7，3-8，以及5-1這3個投票站，不要讓華人社區的聲音被南波士頓淹沒。

              華人前進會以該會主席李素影2011年參選市議員，和林乃肯 (Bill Linehan) 競爭的投票結果為例，指華埠及南端選民，當年有75%支持李素影，而南波士頓選民是65%支持林乃肯，結果卻是李素影以僅僅97票之差落選。當年的第4選區市議員Charles Yancey也表態指稱第2選區應重新劃分。

              華人前進會還指出，在2021年的波士頓市長選舉中，華埠及南端選民有70%把票投給了吳弭，29%支持Annissa Essaibi-George，南波士頓卻是投票給吳弭的不到40%，約60%投給了Annissa Essaibi-George，簡言之，在波士頓，投票是有族裔偏頗現象。

              華人前進會還拿出一份陳年請願書，指出2011年他們呼籲波士頓市議會重劃選區，把3-7，3-8，5-1，8-1，8-2，9-1這幾個投票站歸納在一起時，連當時還未踏進市議會的吳弭都簽名支持了他們的選區重劃呼籲。

      

                        為幫助選民更清楚選區重劃地目前各項提案差異，華人前進會特地製作了一份表格，詳列華埠、南端一帶各投票站的目前和提議中的，劃分進了哪個選區。(更新版)

波士頓慈濟慶全球慈濟日 請志工分享加入慈濟機緣

慈濟三節合一會場，唱誦浴佛偈。 (周菊子攝_

              (Boston Orange) 波士頓慈濟5月14日在牛頓市會所慶祝佛誕日﹑母親節與全球慈濟日，播放證嚴上人鼓勵慈濟人精進，互相扶持影片，近百名出席者，一同虔誠祈禱人心淨化，社會祥和，天下無災難。

右起，馮美霞、林采彤，黃湘霏、李文心等4名師姐分享加入慈濟因緣。
(周菊子攝)

              慈濟今年的三節合一，有點特別。在農曆3月24日，陽曆5月12日是慈濟57週年之際，因為新冠疫情，在台灣已睽違三年的三節合一浴佛大典，也在5月14日這天重回中正紀念堂，於是讓和台北有著12小時差距的波士頓，可以幾乎同步慶祝。

              當天的浴佛大典，由李豐師兄主持，林采彤師姐擔任司儀，金花師姊率香積組準備會後點心，陳裕逢奉茶四。出席群眾一一列隊禮佛後，唱誦浴佛偈，觀看影片，聆聽證嚴上人關於「人間菩提」的開示，觀看慈濟人在世界各地馳援救難影片，還邀了4名慈濟師姐分享個人加入慈濟的因緣。

陳裕逢 (右)奉茶，邀波士頓僑教中心主任潘昭榮(左二)，曾任
波士頓慈濟負責人的吳建發(左一)品嘗。 (周菊子攝)

              林采彤、李文心、黃湘霏、馮美霞這4位師姐，分別來自台灣、中國、馬來西亞、越南，因緣際會的都先後加入慈濟。

鄧淑芳師姐(左三)指導第一次參加浴佛節的民眾，如何參拜禮佛。
(周菊子攝)

              林采彤是在自己處於人生最無助的時候，接觸到了慈濟。那是2006年，她先生在匹茲堡找到一份新工作，她們正忙著從馬里蘭州搬家。沒想到她先生竟突然罹癌，緊急住院，不到2個月就離世了。那時候，他們才來美國沒幾年，在異域他鄉舉目無親，面對劇變，她頓失依靠，驚慌失措。那時候是慈濟人以接力方式，陪伴、照顧，並協助她處理生活大小事務。許多位開餐館的慈濟人甚至每天為他們一家人準備餐點。她先生離世當下，也是慈濟人陪伴在旁助念，撫慰家屬。這經歷讓她一輩子感恩，也深切體會慈濟人無私行善，對芸芸眾生的意義有多大。

浴佛節主持人李豐師兄感謝慈誠游勝雄出席，還出書
分享了他的個人經歷與加入慈濟的歷程。 (周菊子攝)

李文心來美時間不長，初來乍到時，心頭常感焦慮，卻在和慈濟人一起做掃街，發放蔬果等活動時，得到心靈上的寧靜與祥和，現在甚至也研究起佛經。

金花和馮美霞師姊都在香積組服務。(周菊子攝)

                        黃湘霏直言自己和丈夫，原本有點享樂派，不惜開車幾小時，只為享受一頓美食。那時候她和慈濟曾經幾度擦身而過，最後卻因為在某個他們常去的佛堂，孩子總是舉步不前，開始另覓去處時來到慈濟。八年前，通過孩子的老師，他們第一次参加慈濟募款活動。之後受孩子另一托兒照顧所老師邀请，參加慈濟歲末祝福活動時，從影片看到穆斯林教徒因為慈濟而接受佛教，這份跨越宗教的愛，讓他非常感動。同年孩子開始到慈濟人文學校上課，他也開始投入了慈濟志工。加入慈濟，改變了他和先生的世界觀及生活態度，家庭也更和諧。

馮美霞從2003年就在波士頓華埠接觸到慈濟。當初只是為了想要讓小孩傳承、學習中華文化，沒想到孩子在學校接受薰陶，回到家竟然會主動要幫忙掃地，分擔家務，再加上她自己看到慈濟人在行有餘力時的助人行善，才在2009年獲得授證，正式成為慈濟人，並持續迄今已近20年。

波士頓慈濟準備了許多有特色的馬來西亞甜點招待出席嘉賓。
(周菊子攝)

李豐師兄指出，慈濟人透過關懷他人，無私付出，不但自己得到很多，也讓大愛得以循環，促進了整體的世界美好。

僑教中心主任潘昭榮，當天也出席了今年的波士頓慈濟三節合一浴佛大典。

(僑務電子報:   https://ocacnews.net/article/340276?cid=2)

當代國際藝術院年展 「跨越年代」5/21揭幕

Art Across Generations – Alex and Genie Belozersky

Acton, MA – YV Art Museum administered by Contemporary Arts International (CAI), a non-profit organization, announces beginning season for our 2023 Exhibition, we will feature the ex-hibition of father and daughter in the main hall. Art Across Generations – Alex and Genie Beloz-ersky presents the sculptures by Alex Belozersky and paintings by Genie Belozersky. The exhibi-tion starts on May 21, 2023 through to September 17, 2023. In the Video Room, we are presenting documentary films by Chen Bohan, a talented filmmaker from Taiwan. The film explores the inspiration Chen found during his seven visits to our art ground and showcases his earlier work. Over the years, many people have been curious how Yin obtained this land; in Bohan's film, for the first time, the story is fully told. Alex Belozersky came to art relatively late in life, after several careers first in Russia, then in the U.S. “What happened to me in my 40s and 50s may be compared with what the Apostles felt when ‘They were filled with the Holy Ghost and began speaking in tongues they did not speak before,’ he says. “Almost overnight, I, a professional pianist, transitioned from music to the vis-ual arts.” Alex began his artistic exploration with clay—as tactile and responsive as piano keys. He spent two years at the Radcliffe College Ceramics studio in Cambridge, building non-functional ce-ramic vessels, sculptures, and tiles. The latter, shown in the spring of 1991 at Boston Design Center, generated considerable interest due to their Russian medieval and Renaissance designs. He then moved on to sculpting roofing paper, tin, sheet metal, bronze, and wire, learning in the process what each material allows and inspires. His choice of imagery was, to a degree, dictated by the medium. But childhood memories, European history, theater, literature, and mythology also served as sparks for his imagination. Alex’s philosophical studies, especially the writings of Carl Jung, have stimulated him to address the role of myths and dreams in modern life. Ancient and modern mythology is represented in the culture as an elaborate interplay of archetypes, sym-bols, and interpretations. Belozersky has created a stage where these symbols come to life and comment on our existence. Humor is feature of many of his works: “I think humor gives us a chance to step aside from reality to have a better view of it, and keeps us from drowning in the tragedy of life.” Alex Belozersky, musician, philosopher, sculptor, and poet, was born in Russia and graduated from Moscow Conservatory. He taught music and wrote for art magazines before emigrating to the U.S. in 1980. ~ Genie Belozersky, born in Boston, has been surrounded by art since childhood, including her father’s work. Her parents especially favored folk art, but Genie found drawing and painting her most satisfying way to express ideas, feelings, and reflections on the world. An avid museum goer, she has been inspired by a wide range of artists and styles, with Surrealism in particular resonating with her for its combination of fantasy and folklore. Genie’s distinctive use of small, detailed, precisely drawn imagery emerged in her college years. She favors drawing with pens and markers: their smoothness and crispness, the polished look they yield and the freedom of working anywhere, give her maximum opportunity to develop her pieces. The process of meticulously building up pictures through the aggregation of finely-penned components is a form of meditation for Genie; it allows her to both process her emotions and free herself from the churning mind. They are also, as is the case with her father, a whimsical outlet for life’s challenges. “I enjoy the cartoonish forms, the juxtapositions of shapes, the process of weaving my way across the page,” Genie says. “But I also welcome my viewers to project their own perceptions and ideas on my work and take away the meaning that speaks to them.”Genie received her B.A. from New England School of Art and Design. She has shown her work at a number of galleries in the Boston area. ~ 

CAI is open to visitors everyday 10AM-6PM (summer schedule), visitors are encouraged to phone or text 617-699-6401 to make appointment. The admission fee is $10 for adults, $5 for over 65 or under 16.

麻州政府撥款2.5億元建造、保存1600戶可負擔住宅

              (Boston Orange 編譯) 麻州奚莉-Driscoll政府5月18日到羅爾市 (Lowell)宣佈，撥發直接補助和州及聯邦政府住宅抵稅優惠共2億4600萬元，在麻州各地20個城市的27項發展計畫中建造1600戶可負擔住宅。

             這筆款項中有1億500萬元為直接補助，6000萬元來自聯邦政府的美國援救法 (ARPA) 經費，以及8100萬元的州及聯邦政府抵稅優惠。

              獲得撥款的項目包括在Lenox的家庭屋，以及Dracut的耆英住宅。這些住宅將幾乎全部保留給低收入家庭，包括300多戶給收入極低，或者面對居所不穩定的個別人市。有4項工程市翻修現有的可負擔住宅，以確保住宅品質及長期的可負擔興。

 

Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces $246 Million to Build and Preserve 1,600 Affordable and Mixed-Income Housing Units 
 

Direct subsidies, state and federal housing tax credits will support 27 projects in 20 communities across the state for low-income residents  

LOWELL – Today, the Healey-Driscoll Administration awarded $246 million in direct subsidies and state and federal housing tax credits to build and preserve nearly 1,600 affordable homes throughout Massachusetts. Governor Maura T. Healey, Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, Housing and Community Development Secretary Appointee Ed Augustus, and Undersecretary Jennifer Maddox joined Lowell City Manager Thomas Golden to announce the awards to 27 projects in 20 cities and towns.   

Today’s awards leverage substantial state and federal resources, with $105 million in direct subsidies, $60 million from federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, and $81 million in state and federal tax credits. Awarded projects will provide new housing options in every region, serving a diverse array of communities, including new affordable senior housing in Dracut and family housing in Lenox. Nearly all of the 1,597 units will be reserved for low-income households, including more than 300 units for extremely low-income households and families or individuals facing housing instability. Four projects will rehabilitate existing affordable housing, ensuring quality housing and long-term affordability.  

“Today’s awards set in motion 27 innovative, mixed-use projects that will build and preserve nearly 1,600 affordable units across every region of our state,” said Governor Healey. “These are the types of projects that our Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities will be driving in close collaboration with local, federal and private sector partners to address our housing crisis.”  

“We are thrilled to see projects in communities across Massachusetts, from Pittsfield to Provincetown, that have strong local support and will bring much needed new housing to our neighborhoods,” said Lieutenant Governor Driscoll. “Our housing needs are great, and we are excited to move forward with a new, cabinet-level secretariat to create more homes and lower housing costs for residents.”  

The awards will fund innovative models for development with a priority placed on projects with green and sustainable building practices, projects which feature housing for extremely low-income residents, and family and senior developments. Awardees include three projects in Boston which combine affordable rental units along with market-rate and affordable condominiums, four projects will be geared towards seniors, and more than half of the projects will be built to energy efficient “Passive House” certification standards.   

The Healey-Driscoll Administration is committed to making housing development a top priority. On March 1, Governor Healey filed Article 87 legislation to create the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities moving the Department of Housing and Community Development out of the current Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development into the new secretariat and broadening its scope of work to include housing production.   

 “The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities is being created at a critical time for our Commonwealth. We need to address our housing crisis head on and move our state forward on our housing goals to increase production, lower costs and expand access to affordable units,” said Ed Augustus, who will become Secretary of the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities on June 1. “These Affordable Rental Housing Awards are an important step to achieve these goals, and I look forward to expanding programs like this across the state as Housing Secretary.”  

“We are proud to support such a fantastic round of projects, which will welcome new families and households to neighborhoods across the Commonwealth,” said Undersecretary Maddox. “Affordable housing supports our most vulnerable residents, but it also enriches and stabilizes communities, ensures our communities are diverse, inclusive, and provides strong foundations for all our families to thrive.”  

In Lowell, Boston Capital will preserve an existing historic façade and build 52 new affordable homes, including 11 reserved for extremely low-income households. Currently, the site is home to the Merrimack Valley Food Bank, which will relocate to a new site in Lowell. The site is adjacent to the Pawtucket Canal Reservoir and Francis Gate Park in the Acre Neighborhood, with access to local amenities.  

“This is a remarkable opportunity to provide more affordable housing to residents of the City of Lowell, and the City Council is proud to reaffirm our commitment to this vital issue with $250,000 in HOME funds,” said City Manager Thomas A. Golden, Jr. “The City of Lowell is grateful for the vision and partnership of Governor Healey, Lieutenant Governor Driscoll, and their administration, and we look forward to supporting more projects like this in the future.” 

 We are grateful to DHCD and the City of Lowell for their support and funding for 733 Broadway,” said Rich Mazzochi, Managing Director, Boston Capital. “This will help with a critical need for affordable housing units in the City and will create a stable community for future residence to thrive.”  

“The Merrimack Valley Food Bank has been dreaming of a new home for many years and finally our dream has been realized. We are excited to sell our building to Boston Capital and their plan for the site. Our building was gifted to us 30 years ago by the Stagnone Family, owners of Lowell Fruit Company and has served us well for over 30 years,” said Debbie Callery, Executive Director, Merrimack Valley Food Bank. “The Boston Capital project will provide much needed affordable housing for the city, a well thought out beautiful plan which will be a beautiful addition to the neighborhood. We can’t wait to see the building plan become a reality.”  

2023 Affordable Housing Awards 

 84 Warren Street, Boston 

84 Warren Street is a demolition and new construction project located in Roxbury. The sponsor is the non-profit Madison Park Development Corporation. On a prime site near Nubian Square, this family housing project will feature 43 affordable rental units, 22 for sale condominium units, and space for the Urban League of Massachusetts, which has served the Roxbury community for over a century. DHCD will support the project with federal and state low-income housing tax credits, subsidy funds, and ARPA funds. The city of Boston will support the project with funds of its own. In addition, MassHousing will support the ownership component of 84 Warren Street with funds from its Commonwealth Builders program. When completed, the project will include at least 16 rental units reserved for households earning less than 30% of Area Median Income (AMI) and, in some cases, transitioning from homelessness. The project has been designed to meet Passive House certification standards. 

 2085 Washington Street, Boston 

2085 Washington Street is a new construction mixed-use project located in Roxbury. The sponsor is a partnership between Trinity Financial and the non-profit Madison Park Development Corporation. The project will feature 64 affordable rental units as well as 32 mixed-income condominium units and below-grade parking on a site adjacent to the Tropical Foods grocery at the corner of Melnea Cass Boulevard and Washington Street. DHCD will support the project with federal and state low-income housing tax credits, subsidy funds, and ARPA funds. The city of Boston will support the project with significant funds of its own. The completed project will include 16 rental units for households earning less than 30% of AMI and, in some cases, transitioning from homelessness. In addition, MassHousing will support the ownership units with funds from its Commonwealth Builders program. The project has been designed to meet Passive House certification standards. 

 Columbia Crossing, Boston 

Columbia Crossing is a 48-unit new construction and rehabilitation project located in Uphams Corner, across from the historic Strand Theater. The sponsor is a partnership between Dorchester Bay Economic Development Corporation and Preservation of Affordable Housing (POAH). DHCD will support the project with federal and state low-income housing tax credits, subsidy funds, and funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The city of Boston will support the project with funds of its own. When completed, Columbia Crossing will offer 48 affordable units for households whose average income will be less than 60 percent of AMI. At least 10 units will be reserved for families earning less than 30 percent of AMI and, in some cases, transitioning from homelessness. The project has been designed to meet Passive House certification standards. 

 Columbia Uphams, Boston 

Columbia Uphams is a preservation/rehabilitation project located in Dorchester. The nonprofit sponsor is The Affordable Housing and Services Collaborative, Inc. Columbia Uphams consists of two existing occupied projects, Columbia West and Uphams Corner Apartments. The projects will be combined into a single project and rehabilitated. DHCD will support Columbia Uphams with federal and state low-income housing tax credits and subsidy funds. The city of Boston will provide funds of its own to support the project. When completed, the project will include 91 rehabilitated affordable units, including units reserved for special populations. The sponsor will provide support services as needed to project residents. Columbia Uphams has been designed to Enterprise Green Communities standards.  

Old Colony Phase 6, Boston 

Old Colony Phase 6 is the final phase of the redevelopment of the largescale Old Colony public housing project located in South Boston. The sponsor, Beacon Communities, has worked closely for over a decade with the Boston Housing Authority, the city of Boston, and DHCD on the multi-phased initiative. DHCD will support this phase of the transit-oriented project with federal and state low-income housing tax credits and subsidy funds. The Boston Housing Authority also will support Phase 6. This phase will consist of 89 highly sustainable new construction units designed to meet Passive House certification standards. All 89 units will be affordable to families or individuals, including seniors. At least 13 percent of the units will be reserved for families or individuals earning less than 30% of AMI. Phase 6 also will include space for SPOKE, a community-based arts organization.  

Parcel R-1, Boston 

Parcel R-1 is a new construction, mixed-use and mixed-tenure project to be constructed on a city-owned parking lot in Boston’s Chinatown neighborhood. The non-profit sponsor is Asian Community Development Corporation. The project will consist of a single 12-story structure housing 66 affordable rental units, 44 affordable condominiums, and a new branch of the Boston Public Library. DHCD will support the rental units in Parcel R1 with federal and state low-income housing tax credits and subsidy funds. The city of Boston also will support the project with significant funds of its own. When completed, the 66 rental units in Parcel R1 will be restricted for households whose average income is below 60 percent of AMI. Fourteen rental units will be further restricted for households earning less than 30 percent of AMI and, in some cases, transitioning from homelessness. This transit-oriented project will incorporate significant elements of green design. The sponsor intends to meet Passive House certification standards.  

Talbot Commons II, Boston 

Talbot Commons II is a demolition and new construction project located on two sites in Boston’s Codman Square neighborhood. The sponsor is the non-profit Codman Square Neighborhood Development Corporation. DHCD will support the project with federal and state low-income housing tax credits, subsidy funds, and ARPA funds. The city of Boston will support the project with funds of its own. When completed, Talbot Commons II will feature 42 affordable rental units for families, including 11 units for families earning less than 30 percent of AMI and, in some cases, transitioning from homelessness. The project has been designed to meet Passive House certification standards.  

Watson Place, Braintree 

Watson Place is a new construction project for families to be built in downtown Braintree, .4 miles from the Weymouth Landing MBTA stop. The sponsor is Arch Communities LLC. The project will feature a pedestrian riverwalk, and the town of Braintree will undertake numerous streetscape improvements near Watson Place. DHCD will support the project with federal and state low-income housing tax credits, subsidy funds, and ARPA funds. When completed, this mixed-income project will include 56 total units serving five income bands, including 30 units restricted for families at less than 60 percent of AMI and additional units restricted at 110 precent and 120 percent of AMI. Watson Place also will be supported by the town of Braintree, by a state MassWorks award, and by a Congressional earmark for nearby infrastructure improvements. The project has been designed to meet Enterprise Green Communities standards and Passive House certification standards.  

Clifton Place Phase 1, Cambridge 

Clifton Place Phase 1 is one phase of the planned three-phase redevelopment of Jefferson Park, a large-scale public housing project located in Cambridge. The sponsor is the Cambridge Housing Authority. DHCD will support Clifton Place with federal low-income housing tax credits and subsidy funds, as well as ARPA funds. The city of Cambridge also will support Clifton Place with funds of its own. When completed, this phase of the overall project will include 87 new construction units. All 87 units will be reserved for households earning less than 60 percent of AMI. At least 13 percent of the units will be further reserved for households earning less than 30 percent of AMI. Clifton Place has been designed o incorporate numerous green features.   

Singing Bridge Residences, Chicopee 

Singing Bridge Residences is a new construction project to be built in Chicopee on a site bordering the Chicopee River. The sponsor is Brisa Development LLC (Hammad Graham). The sponsor was selected to develop the project, located in a mill overlay district, through a city solicitation process. DHCD will support Singing Bridge Residences with federal and state low-income housing tax credits, subsidy funds, and ARPA funds. The city of Chicopee will provide funds of its own to support the project. When the project is finished, it will offer 105 total new units. Seventy-two units will be reserved for households earning less than 60 percent of AMI, with 16 units further reserved for households earning less than 30 percent of AMI. The project has been designed to incorporate numerous green features, including all-electric heat.  

Greenmont Senior Residences, Dracut 

Greenmont Senior Residences is a project for seniors to be built in Dracut. The sponsor, the non-profit Common Ground Development Corporation, was selected to develop the project through a town solicitation process. DHCD will support the project with federal and state low-income housing tax credits, subsidy funds, and ARPA funds. The town of Dracut will support the project with funds of its own. When completed, the project will feature 56 affordable units for seniors, including 11 units to be reserved for seniors earning less than 30 percent of AMI. As required by DHCD, the sponsor will provide support services to all new residents of the project. Greenmont Senior Housing has been designed to incorporate features of green and sustainable development.  

Meshacket Commons, Edgartown 

Meshacket Commons is a new construction project to be built in Edgartown on Martha’s Vineyard. The project sponsor is a partnership between Affirmative Investments and the non-profit Island Housing Trust. The partnership was selected to develop the town-owned site through a 2021 town solicitation process. When completed, Meshacket Commons will offer 36 total units: 32 affordable rental units and four ownership units. DHCD will support the project with federal and state low-income housing tax credits, subsidy funds, and ARPA funds. The town of Edgartown also will provide support to the project. Meshacket Commons was zoned through Chapter 40B. The project has been designed to meet Passive House certification standards.  

470 Main Street, Fitchburg 

470 Main Street is an existing mixed-use property in downtown Fitchburg. The sponsor is the nonprofit NewVue Communities. During the COVID19 pandemic, the first-floor commercial tenant vacated its 8,000 square foot space, which NewVue now will convert to additional affordable housing units. DHCD will support the project with low-income housing tax credits and subsidy funds. The city of Fitchburg also will provide support to the project. When completed, 470 Main Street will feature 38 total units, with 26 units affordable to households earning less than 60 percent of AMI. Four units will be reserved for households earning less than 30 percent of AMI. The new units to be constructed in the vacant commercial space will include electric heat pumps.  

Brushwood Farm, Lenox 

Brushwood Farm is a new construction project for families to be built in Lenox. Permitted through Chapter 40B, the project is sponsored by Pennrose LLC. The sponsor has worked closely with the town on the project, which will result in 65 new rental units in a region with great need for more affordable housing. DHCD will support the project with federal and state low-income housing tax credits, subsidy funds, and ARPA funds. The town of Lenox is providing funds of its own to the project. When completed, 50 of the 65 units will be restricted for households earning less than 60 percent of AMI, with nine units further restricted for households earning less than 30 percent of AMI. The project has been designed to meet Passive House certification standards.  

733 Broadway, Lowell 

733 Broadway is a 52-unit project to be built in Lowell. The sponsor is Boston Capital. While the project primarily will consist of new construction, the sponsor will retain and restore parts of an existing historic façade. DHCD will support the project with federal and state low-income housing tax credits, subsidy funds, and ARPA funds. The city of Lowell also will support the project with funds of its own. When completed, all 52 units will be reserved for households earning less than 60 percent of AMI, with 11 units further reserved for households earning less than 30 percent of AMI and, in some cases, transitioning from homelessness. The project has been designed to meet Passive House certification standards.   

Greenstead Grove, Ludlow 

Greenstead Grove is a new construction townhomes project to be built in Ludlow. The sponsor is the non-profit Way Finders, Inc. DHCD will support the project with federal and state low-income housing tax credits, subsidy funds, and ARPA funds. When completed, Greenstead Grove will offer 43 affordable units for families, with 16 units reserved for families earning less than 30 percent of AMI and, in some cases, transitioning from homelessness. Permitted through Chapter 40B, the development team included a sustainability consultant, and the project has been designed to feature all-electric heat pumps for heating and cooling, solar arrays on all roofs, and other green features.  

West Newton Armory, Newton 

West Newton Armory is an adaptive re-use and new construction project located in Newton. The sponsor is a partnership between Civico Development and the non-profit Metro West Community Development. The project includes the adaptation of an existing historic armory as well as the construction of 43 new affordable units. Seven of the affordable units will be reserved for households earning less than 30 percent of AMI. DHCD will support this transit-oriented project with federal and state low-income housing tax credits, subsidy funds, and ARPA funds. The new construction component of the project has been designed to meet Passive House certification standards. The sponsor also intends to install solar photovoltaic panels on the roof.

麻州總檢察長聯合領導聯盟催促聯邦反歧視法保護變性運動員

 AG CAMPBELL CO-LEADS COALITION IN SUPPORT OF FURTHERING FEDERAL ANTIDISCRIMINATION PROTECTIONS FOR TRANSGENDER ATHLETES

Coalition Also Provides Revisions to Proposed Federal Ruling That Guarantees Inclusion and Acceptance of Trans Athletes in K-12 Sports

 BOSTON – Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell co-led a multistate coalition of attorneys general in submitting comments in support of robust anti-discrimination protections for transgender students. The coalition has issued a letter in response to a proposed rule by the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) that would clarify how schools receiving federal funding can remain in compliance with Title IX, a federal civil rights statute, when determining a transgender student’s eligibility to participate on school athletic teams. 

“By strengthening protections for transgender student athletes, we are sending a message that hate and discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated, and that we will continue to stand with the trans community in the face of an unprecedented wave of politically motivated attacks,” said AG Campbell. “All students, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation deserve the opportunity to participate in school sports, and my office will always advocate on behalf of their right to do so.” 

Title IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in federally funded education programs or activities. Significant recent legal developments related to the interpretation of Title IX underscore the need for USDOE to clarify that Title IX’s broad prohibition against differential treatment on the basis of sex includes discrimination based on gender identity. Federal appeals courts have recognized that Title IX’s bar against sex discrimination prohibits discrimination against transgender students. 

According to the letter sent earlier this week to USDOE Secretary Miguel Cardona, there are an estimated 300,000 transgender youth between the ages of thirteen and seventeen in the United States. The letter makes clear that athletic participation has been linked to academic achievement and improved academic performance – and that discrimination and exclusion based on one’s transgender status causes tangible and real educational, economic, emotional, and health harms – harms that are particularly grave in light of the heightened rates of depression, substance use disorders, and suicide among transgender students. 

In the letter, AG Campbell and the coalition expressed support for the proposed rule’s clarification that schools violate Title IX when they categorically ban students from participating in school sports consistent with their gender identities.  

The coalition also put forth recommendations for revisions of the proposed rule to effectuate Title IX’s broad protections against discrimination, including:

 

·       Prohibiting schools from relying on alleged fairness or safety concerns to disallow transgender students from participating consistent with their gender identity at the elementary school, middle school, high school, and intramural college sports levels. 

·       Protecting students’ privacy by prohibiting requirements such as blood testing, physical examinations, medical documentation or medication interventions, or reliance on government-issued identification documents, for transgender youth to participate fully in sports. 

·       Specifying that the Administration’s rules under Title IX do not prohibit States from establishing broader protections for transgender athletes under their own state anti-discrimination laws.

 This letter is part of the AG’s Office’s efforts to address hate and bias in school sports, in all its forms. During the Fall 2022-2023 school year, the AG’s Office, alongside the Department of Elementary & Secondary Education Commissioner, the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents, the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association, and the Massachusetts School Administrators’ Association, hosted 12 regional trainings across the state for school and athletic leadership. The AG’s Office is committed to securing the civil rights of all students in Massachusetts. 

AG Campbell was joined in filing this comment letter by the attorneys general of California, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Minnesota, New York, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington.