BPS released budget proposal

Largest-Ever BPS Budget Proposal Includes Funding to Expand Access to Exam Schools, Targeted Funds for High-Needs Students

FY20 Allocation Is $200 Million Increase Since 2014

BOSTON — Wednesday, February 6, 2019 — Tonight, Boston Public Schools (BPS) Interim Superintendent Laura Perille presented to the Boston School Committee a proposed district budget for Fiscal Year 2020 (FY20) of $1.139 billion, which includes targeted investments that directly support students and families, increase per-pupil spending, and expand access to exam school admissions. The proposed BPS budget represents a $26 million projected increase over the current year, and is the largest school budget in Boston’s history. Over the past six years under the leadership of Mayor Martin J. Walsh, the City’s allocation to BPS has increased by $200 million. The appropriation for next year will increase further when the City reaches a contract agreement for teachers with the Boston Teachers Union. More information on the FY20 budget proposal is available online atbostonpublicschools.org/budget. The FY20 proposal reflects Mayor Walsh’s continued commitment to invest in BPS, increasing Boston’s school budget despite facing an ongoing decline in state education funding. This comes as the Mayor joins a statewide coalition of legislators, municipalities, teachers, students and advocates in supporting the Education PROMISE Act, which would address historic inequities in state funding formulas. "Our students in Boston deserve every opportunity to receive a high-quality education, and I am proud that our record investments in the Boston Public Schools reflect that commitment," said Mayor Walsh. "Through this budget, more funding than ever before is being directed towards individual schools and students to support the enrichment of their academics. With the hard work and dedication of our committed school leaders and staff, we will keep our students on a pathway toward achieving their dreams." The FY20 budget proposal reflects an increase in per-pupil spending by 25 percent over the past six years, from about $16,500 in FY14 to $20,700 in FY20, for a total increase of $200 million. This has allowed BPS to improve its student-to-teacher-and-para ratio from 11-to-1 to 10-to-1 for every 100 students over the past six years. BPS is also proposing an additional $6 million for “soft landings” and items that serve high-need students. Soft landings are funds to support schools with declining enrollment. There are numerous targeted investments in the proposed FY20 budget that would directly benefit students and families in FY20, including: $3.8 million in new City funding to sustain access to high-quality preschool (K1) classroom seats in Boston as part of the Universal Pre-K initiative; $750,000 to facilitate improved outcomes for students in schools identified as needing the greatest amount of support; $500,000 for the BPS Office of Engagement to support improvements to family engagement at schools and at BPS Welcome Centers, where families register students for schools and receive various services; $375,000 to strengthen science instruction; $364,000 to host the exam that students must pass to gain entrance into one of the district’s three exam schools — the ISEE — in students’ current schools. This is another tool aimed at closing opportunity gaps for students of traditionally underserved backgrounds. And, $350,000 to strengthen high school pathways. (More details on these investments are found lower in this press release.) “Despite decreased funding from the state, the City of Boston and BPS are working tirelessly to provide the resources our students need to succeed,” saidBPS Interim Superintendent Laura Perille. “Our budget proposal not only gives more funding directly to schools, it supports our students who need it the most through targeted investments that help traditionally marginalized populations and those with special needs.” “The Boston School Committee appreciates the thorough and thoughtful planning that went into the FY20 budget proposal,” said Boston School Committee Chairperson Michael Loconto. “We all want the very best for each and every student in the Boston Public Schools. The School Committee looks forward to engaging in ongoing dialogue with the district and the public as we deliberate aspects of the budget proposal over the next two months.” In addition to new investments in the proposed budget, BPS would sustain the research-backed investments core to the district’s efforts to close opportunity gaps. Those include the expansion of pre-kindergarten seats (K1), the district’s hiring initiative to attract and retain the best educators, the Extended Learning Time (ELT) initiative that extended minutes in the school day, and the Excellence for All academic enrichment program in grades 4-6. Key Investments Expanding access to the exam school entrance test: BPS is allocating $364,000 to provide easier access for students wishing to take the test to attend one of the district’s three exam schools: Boston Latin School, Boston Latin Academy, and the John D. O’Bryant School for Mathematics and Science. This fall, BPS will begin providing the test to sixth-grade students in the schools they are currently attending. For many years, students have had to travel to one of a handful of testing locations on a Saturday in November, which can pose barriers for students from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds. This funding would help with family engagement and communication about the ISEE, expanding test facilitation and the use of test proctors in conjunction with ERB, the company that provides the ISEE assessment. This funding follows multiple years of investment by BPS, Mayor Walsh, and partners to expand access to test preparation through the Exam School Initiative program. Strengthening science instruction: BPS is investing $375,000 to ensure equitable access to Next Generation Standards-aligned science instruction in the elementary grades. The funding will also support professional development for teachers. This comes as BPS aims to improve the percentage of students scoring advanced or proficient in science on state assessments, and as the state accountability system begins putting an increased weight on science proficiency. Strengthening high school pathways: BPS is allocating $350,000 toward efforts to assist high school students, including those who are not on track to graduate high school on time. This includes expanding the use of a technology-based system, Naviance, that provides interactive college- and career-readiness assessment tools and a data system to better identify “early warning indicators” for students who may be falling off-track for graduation. This $350,000 is in addition to $1.6 million provided to school budgets to support high school students and the expansion of vocational programming. Assisting schools in greatest need of support: BPS will provide $750,000 to provide professional development and coaching focused on both improving instruction and providing appropriate supports for students in schools identified as having the greatest need for support toward student achievement. Family Engagement Support: About $500,000 will be provided to the BPS Office of Engagement to support family engagement at schools across the district and improve services at BPS Welcome Centers. This includes the creation of a staff position to provide coaching and technical assistance to school administrators on improving family engagement efforts, along with funding to support increased customer service, quality control, and upgrades aimed at improving the experiences for families using Welcome Centers for registration and other purposes. Education PROMISE Act As the City of Boston’s investments in Boston Public Schools has grown considerably over the past several years, state funding has lagged behind. Inequities in the Commonwealth's education funding formulas have failed urban school districts, like Boston, which educate the majority of economically disadvantaged students, English learners and special education students in the state. The current education funding formulas result in less net state funding every year for BPS students. Under the Baker Administration’s education bill, the net state aid to Boston would decrease by at least $12 million between FY19 and FY20 alone. If the status quo persists and these formulas are not changed, in two years, Boston will receive no state education aid to support the City's 55,000 BPS students. To create a more equitable education funding system, Boston is proud to support The Education PROMISE Act that builds upon the important work of the state-appointed Foundation Budget Review Commission by updating and amending the state education funding formula to better reflect the reality of educating complex, high-need students, like those in Boston. This proposal will also support the high needs of the student populations cities educate and ensure baseline funding levels that guarantee a predictable funding stream for districts. The Education PROMISE Act provides certainty and sustainability that would enable districts to fund their own education priorities, such as Boston's desire to implement universal pre-K, close persistent achievement gaps, and provide a 21st-century learning environment to all of Boston's students.  Weighted Student Funding BPS determines how much funding each individual school receives largely through a formula called Weighted Student Funding (WSF). Established in 2011, WSF allows for the distribution of resources in an equitable manner based on the needs of students. Through WSF, dollars follow students. Each school is provided a specific allocation based on the number of students it has, and each student is assigned a “weight” based on their individual needs. Students who are designated as having special needs, English learners, or another classification such as homelessness, will receive a higher weight, which means more funding. WSF also provides principals and headmasters flexibility in how to spend their allocations based on their schools’ unique needs. For schools with enrollment declines that would negatively impact its funding allocation under the WSF formula, BPS provides “soft landings,” which are financial supports in order to maintain stability. BPS is increasing its support for schools with enrollment declines by absorbing changes up to 2 percent in any school budget. This is an increase from 1 percent in FY19. At the Mattahunt Elementary School in Mattapan, Principal Walter Henderson says Weighted Student Funding has helped provide for crucial resources to serve his students with special needs, which make up about one-third of the students who attend the school.   “Weighted Student Funding is allowing the Mattahunt School to maximize every dollar for our students with special needs, including those with autism,” Henderson said. “Because Weighted Student Funding was designed to help provide resources to the students with the highest need, we're able to make certain investments next year, like hire an additional paraprofessional and purchase more technology." Opportunity Index The Opportunity Index is a tool that BPS developed last year to better identify student need. The district began using the tool in the current fiscal year to allocate specific centrally-based funds to schools in a more equitable manner than was done previously. Through the Opportunity Index, each BPS school is provided an Opportunity Index score annually, and schools with the highest scores indicate the highest need for resources. The scores are compiled through numerous factors, such as academic outcomes, attendance rates, neighborhood violence, socioeconomic status, and more. BPS first used the Opportunity Index in FY19 to provide nearly $6 million in funds for community partnerships based in the BPS Central Office to schools with the highest Opportunity Index scores. Community partnerships often involve extracurricular activities and after-school programs. This did not affect community partnerships that were facilitated through individual schools. Wes Enicks, the executive director of Generations Incorporated, a community organization that provides literacy instruction for early elementary students, said the use of the Opportunity Index has helped his organization provide for students who need it the most. “The Opportunity Index has bolstered our mission of serving communities where opportunity gaps exist in literacy proficiency,” Enicks said. “This tool has helped ensure that Generations Incorporated is allocating our resources in a thoughtful, deliberate manner that reaches students in the greatest need of support.” For FY20, the Opportunity Index would continue to be applied to partnership funds. In addition, the district is building upon another source of resources for schools, “School Support Funds,” which are allocated with the Opportunity Index and can be used at the school’s discretion. Funding in that area will increase from $3 million to $5 million under the FY20 proposal. Long Term Financial Plan The FY20 budget proposal is informed by the work of the BPS Long Term Financial Plan, and in particular, the investment framework developed by the Budget Equity Workgroup. Parents, school leaders, and other stakeholders dedicated their time to that effort, which informs our budgeting process today.

波士頓慈濟人文學校慶豬年新春

【波士頓慈濟人文學校新春聯歡  傳揚民俗文化與靜思精神】

慈少舞龍為活動揭幕。

波士頓慈濟人文學校2月3日在牛頓市慈濟會所舉辦新春聯歡活動，由慈少的舞龍揭開序幕，並安排各年級學生表演年節應景的歌唱和舞蹈節目，慈濟波士頓聯絡處負責人吳建發師兄、人文學校校長賴政宏偕師兄姐也在現場分送福慧紅包，

讓孩子們更加瞭解各項傳統時令節慶的民俗文化。

小朋友表演。

慈濟波士頓聯絡處負責人吳建發師兄(左一)、人文學校校長

賴政宏(左三)偕師兄姐在現場分送福慧紅包。

波士頓僑教中心主任歐宏偉(中)和波士頓慈濟負責人
吳建發(左)，書法老師伍振中(右)。

該校在會場同時安排元宵猜謎、慈濟靜思語填空題、傳統年節剪紙藝術、民俗童玩等攤位，也舉辦「竹筒回娘家」活動，讓師生及家長也能發揮聚小愛為大愛的精神；此外，校方今年特別邀請到波士頓書法名家伍振中老師等人現場揮毫，贈送春聯和吉祥語等墨寶，節慶氣氛洋溢，溫馨熱絡。

伍振中老師即席揮毫。

受邀出席的波士頓僑教中心主任歐宏偉向學校師生及家長們拜年賀歲，也轉達僑務委員會委員長吳新興博士對大家的問候與祝福；他說，每年來參加慈濟人文學校的新春歡活動，都能感受到慈濟的用心與付出，尤其各個大小朋友的表演節目，以及整體活動內容，都蘊藏滿滿的祝福和提升人文精神，非常有意義。(圖與文:波士頓僑教中心提供)

紐頓中文學校新春聯歡 牛頓市長、學區委到賀

【紐頓中文學校新春聯歡  傳揚民俗文化】

紐頓中文學校於2月2日舉辦新春聯歡活動，由傳統廣東舞獅揭開序幕，並安排各年級學生表演年節應景歌唱及吉祥語朗誦等節目，讓華裔子弟們更加瞭解我國傳統時令節慶民俗文化的內涵。

波士頓僑教中心主任歐宏偉(左三)、牛頓市市長Ruthanne Fuller(右三)

，學區委員沈安平(右二)，以及談家權(左一)出席紐頓中文學校新春會

波士頓僑教中心主任歐宏偉、牛頓市市長Ruthanne Fuller和學區委員沈安平等貴賓都應邀出席盛會，觀賞學生們的精彩表演；會場中也設置民俗童玩等攤位，由老師和家長通力合作，讓學生們度過一個節慶氣氛洋溢的新春聯歡活動，溫馨熱絡。

民俗童玩攤位。

歐宏偉向學校師生及家長們拜年賀歲，也轉達僑務委員會委員長吳新興博士對大家的問候與祝福。歐宏偉表示，該校是波士頓地區少數以廣東話和正體中文教學的學校，他肯定僑胞鄉親對保留廣東話母語和傳揚正統中華文化的付出與貢獻，也希望該校多加利用僑委會「全球華文網」的網路資源，讓學生可以透過數位網路多元化的管道，提高學校的興趣與效果。(圖與文:波士頓僑教中心提供)

波士頓市府卡車撞上劉一手火鍋店

          (Boston Orange 周菊子整理報導)天外飛來橫禍。2月7日一早10點多，發生在第1116家重慶劉一手火鍋店，不知哪來的一輛卡車，就這麼撞上門來，店中午暫時關了，一名行人送醫。

            波士頓環球報，WCVB，WHDH，WBZ等本地新聞媒體，全都做了簡短報導。

圖片來自微信。

             有意思的是，失控撞店的車，居然是波士頓市政府交通局的公家車。這四四方方，挺壯實的卡車，在尼倫街(Kneeland)上開著，靠近華盛頓街(Washington)時，卻不知怎地往右一斜，不偏不倚，把波士頓”劉一手火鍋店”的店門給撞了，還有一名行人也被撞得輕傷，送醫。

            好在，卡車撞過來的速度不是太快，這棟樓也挺紮實，門口的柱子，撞空了一截，玻璃門也碎了，但店裏沒事。火鍋店老闆Victor Wu，Terry Chan， Angus Wei接受了電視台的簡短採訪，說明中午暫時歇業。該店晚上5點就又照常開門做生意。

             劉一手火鍋店是來自中國重慶的一家著名火鍋連鎖店，2000年成立，如今在中國31省及美加澳，阿聯猷迪拜等全世界各地，有1000多家分店。波士頓這家就標榜是第1116家，也是在美國的第3家，約二星期前才開始試營業，預定2月18日才正式舉行開幕式。

             波士頓劉一手火鍋店座落在波士頓市華盛頓街702號，以前是麥當勞，後來是家樂福火鍋店。在家樂福火鍋店老闆接手經營帝苑大酒樓後，這店面就盤給”劉一手火鍋店”，裝修了好幾個月，最近才開門試營業，就遇上這意外，雖然店面小有損毀，但營業基本沒受影響，反倒是平白贏得買也買不來的電視，報紙等媒體廣告，似乎見證了中國諺語中的”禍福相倚”。

美食之家（北京樓）加入僑胞卡特約商店行列

【美食之家（北京樓）加入僑胞卡特約商店 今年2月起提供消費優惠】

麻州Falmouth"美食之家"加入僑胞卡特約店行列，
波士頓經文處長徐佑典(右三)夫婦，僑教中心主任
歐宏偉(右二)夫婦感謝負責人徐小玲(左三)。

位於波士頓南部Falmouth 的中餐館「美食之家」，也就是大家熟悉的「北京樓」，響應中華民國僑務委員會發行的「僑胞卡」，正式加入海外特約商店的行列，將從今年2月起提供持卡人5%至10%的消費優惠，希望能讓更多僑胞鄉親感受到政府的用心與美意。

該餐廳負責人同時也是波克萊臺灣商會副會長的徐小玲女士表示，「美食之家」成立以來都是秉持精緻美食的優良傳統，除了臺灣鄉親經常前來品嚐風味獨特的餐點外，也吸引許多主流社會各界人士前來用餐；在獲知僑委會於海外發行「僑胞卡」，且在波士頓僑教中心主任歐宏偉的鼓勵下，美食之家成為波士頓地區第18家「僑胞卡」特約商店，並訂於今年2月1日起提供現金付款九折(10％ off)或信用卡消費九五折(5％ off)的優惠服務。(圖與文:波士頓僑教中心提供)

駐波士頓臺北經濟文化辦事處處長徐佑典表示，「美食之家」是麻州鱈魚角地區知名的中式美食餐廳，去年也舉辦臺灣美食廚藝講座，深獲好評，非常值得推介；徐佑典很高興美食之家能加入僑胞卡海外特約商店的行列，希望未來有更多僑臺商業者共襄盛舉。

歐宏偉主任很感謝🙏徐小玲女士對僑務工作的支持，他說，目前波士頓近郊還有多家臺灣美食餐廳和超商業者，已表達加入特約商店的意願；此外，歐宏偉也強調，臺灣已有2500多家僑胞卡特約商店，包括華航和長榮兩家中華民國國籍航空公司、百貨及精品業者、臺灣知名大飯店、超商和70餘家醫療院所，提供持卡人相當不錯的消費優惠。他鼓勵大家返臺探親或觀光旅遊時，攜帶僑胞卡並多加利用，也歡迎波士頓地區僑胞鄉親前來僑教中心申領「僑胞卡」。

聯邦關門35天 麻州4000移民案聆訊取消

(Boston Orange)聯邦政府一連關門35天，估計有86,000移民的聆訊因此取消，麻州也有4000宗。

波士頓環球報一篇報導指出，根據追蹤聯邦移民數據的雪城大學(Syracuse University)交易紀錄清算中心(Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse)資料，從去年12月迄今，為期35天的聯邦政府關門，已導致大約86,000宗移民聆訊被取消了。

麻州堆積待審的案件超過28,000宗，是受影響最嚴重的州之一，大約有4000宗聆訊因此取消。

一名非法進入美國的薩爾瓦多母親，已經等了六年，準備一月出席聆訊。她的律師認為她很有機會暫緩遣返。作為一名住在Lynn市的加油站經理，她可以證明自己住在美國至少10年，從來沒犯過法，她一旦被遣返，她那還是青少年的兒子，和她及她先生一起住在她幫忙付錢所買下房子的一個美國公民，生活將很艱困。她的家人可能落得流離失所。

她的律師打算在聆訊中這麼辯駁。但是因為政府關門，她根本沒機會做辯駁。

聯邦政府關門，迫使移民法庭停止作業。原本就已堆積如山的案件，就更雪上加霜。許多為聆訊已等待多年的移民，現在得等更多年了。

在麻州聆訊被取消的移民中，有一名27歲，憂慮其國內同性戀恐懼症越來越盛行，尋求政治庇護的俄國人，一名墨西哥人想要回祖國，但需要一名法官批准，以極大化他合法回美國機會，一名23歲的薩爾瓦多婦女希望獲得庇護狀態，以期有更好機會把她先生帶回美國。

這女子的律師說，她為逃離在薩爾瓦多強暴，還威脅要殺她的男人，帶著女嬰來美尋求庇護。她丈夫在薩爾瓦多也被幫派份子威脅，要搶佔她家的土地。她的聆訊，原本排在1月2日。

律師說，他們還沒聽到任何新的聆訊日期，他擔心得等上幾年，而它們真的很想盡快把她先生也帶到美國來。

            聯邦政府在1月底重新開門了，但是如果川普總統和國會不能達成協議，二月中很可能再關門。

司法部移民審核辦公室(Executive Office for Immigration Review in the Department of Justice)發言人John Martin表示，截至去年12月，全美約有80萬宗待審的移民案件，比2016會計年度時的數量又增加了50%。全美有大約409名移民法官，他們希望在2019年上半年再增加50名，同時增聘支援工作人員。在2018會計年度內，結案數提高了20%。

專家對話:中國的數位醫療未來(圖片)

阿里健康研究中心資深總監蘇凌雲(左起)，北京協和醫學院
院長暨中國老年保健協會會長劉遠立，哈佛大學公共衛生系
副教授馬晶，BE Capital 合夥人何淑圭等人合影。(周菊子攝)

MAYOR WALSH KICKS OFF MOBILE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CENTER WITH CITY CONTRACTING OPPORTUNITY FAIR IN ROXBURY

MAYOR WALSH KICKS OFF MOBILE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CENTER WITH CITY CONTRACTING OPPORTUNITY FAIR IN ROXBURY

Free workshops focused on contracting with the City of Boston, training for construction jobs,  small business resources, and targeted entrepreneur series scheduled for next six weeks

BOSTON - Thursday, February 7, 2019 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today joined the Office of Economic Development and partners to kickoff the first workshop under the newly-created Economic Development Center. Designed to engage with residents on economic development opportunities around job growth, business development, placemaking and community economic development, the Center will be accessible and convenient to all communities in order to generate economic opportunities for all residents and businesses, and discuss policy and planning in a thoughtful and collaborative manner. By Chutze Chou "The Economic Development Center is a testament to how the City invests in our people, communities, and businesses, giving people all across the City the opportunity to invest in their future," said Mayor Walsh. "As Boston continues to grow at an incredible rate, we will continue to prioritize economic equity to ensure all Bostonians benefit from Boston's booming economy." The Center kicked off today with a "City Contracting Opportunity Fair," which is part of the "Equity and Inclusion Series" designed to create a network of individuals and businesses to connect with good jobs and public procurement opportunities, and serve as a vehicle to engage directly with diverse communities on equity policy and decision making. An open-house style networking fair that featured 18 city departments and the Commonwealth's Supplier Diversity Office, the event hosted a panel with City procurement liaisons to discuss the bid process, best practices, and success stories to encourage small businesses and minority- and women-owned businesses to seek procurement opportunities as a means to grow capacity and collaborate. Boston Chief of Economic Development, John F. Barros(right)。By Chutze Chou "We are working to build an inclusive and equitable Boston, and in order to do that, we are bringing access to jobs, resources, opportunities, and policy development directly to ensure these policies offer real results for the people of Boston," said John F. Barros, Chief of Economic Development. "Today's Equity and Inclusion series kickoff was a great start, and I look forward to engaging with residents and business on in our upcoming series on small business, jobs, and community development." The Economic Development Center will host free workshops year-round, across four series that focus on different sectors and different policy areas including: equity and inclusion, small business, community economic development, and jobs and talent. The Mayor's Office of Economic Development staff and partner organizations will facilitate workshops to engage with residents on policy, connect businesses and entrepreneurs with necessary resources and support organizations, and directly work with individuals to access career advancement trainings, hiring and contracting opportunities, and networking events. By Chutze Chou The "Pathways to Contracting with the City" will be held at the Bolling Building, with the next workshop scheduled for Wednesday, February 13 at 5 p.m. As more workshop details are confirmed and added to the schedule, all information will be available at boston.gov/economic-center. Announced by Mayor Walsh last month during his State of the City address, the Economic Development Center builds on the success of the Small Business Center, first launched as a pop-up pilot by Mayor Walsh in 2017. As a result of the 2016 Citywide Small Business Plan, the Office of Economic Development developed a pop-up series of free workshops in neighborhoods around the City to make services more accessible to small businesses. The 2017-2018 Pilot included a series in Mattapan, East Boston, and Roxbury for about six consecutive weeks each, reaching over 400 individuals. These centers complement Mayor Walsh's overall work to increase access to economic opportunity throughout the City of Boston, including his 15-bill housing security and economic mobility package which promotes equity, opportunity, and resilience through preserving neighborhoods, stabilizing vulnerable households, supporting small businesses, removing barriers that keep people in poverty, providing new pathways to good jobs, and continuing to leverage Boston's prosperity to build a more inclusive and equitable city. In 2014, Mayor Walsh created the Economic Development Cabinet to make Boston an appealing and accessible place for families and businesses to grow and thrive in a way that fosters inclusion, broadens opportunity, and shares prosperity, thereby enhancing the quality of life for all Bostonians.

波士頓華裔警察Zi Zou獲表揚

Officer Zi Zou earned a Commissioner's Commendation
 for his actions in the following incident。(From BPD News)

In November of 2018, Police Officer Zi Zou assigned to District E-13 (Jamaica Plain) responded to the area of 1550 Columbus Avenue and observed two men fighting outside the Jackson Square MBTA station, with one attempting to stab the other. The suspect armed with a knife fled into the Mildred Hailey Housing Development with Officer Zou in pursuit. The suspect turned to face the officer. Officer Zou gave commands for the suspect to drop the knife but he refused. With only several feet separating them, Officer Zou made the calculated decision to attempt to disarm the suspect and pinned the suspect, as additional units arrived to assist. The suspect was disarmed and placed under arrest. It was later determined that the suspect was possibly an emotionally disturbed person and had randomly pulled a knife on the victim. Thanks to the actions of Officer Zou, the suspect was stopped and prevented from causing serious bodily injuries to other innocent people, while at the same time, ensuring for a medical evaluation of the suspect. For his actions, Officer Zou is hereby awarded a Commissioner’s Commendation.

MAYOR WALSH LAUNCHES EFFORT TO REHABILITATE WEST NEWTON/RUTLAND APARTMENTS IN THE SOUTH END

MAYOR WALSH LAUNCHES EFFORT TO REHABILITATE WEST NEWTON/RUTLAND APARTMENTS IN THE SOUTH END

Project will preserve 146 units of affordable housing in the South End

BOSTON - Wednesday, February 6, 2019 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today joined Boston Housing Authority (BHA) Administrator Bill McGonagle and Inquilinos Boricuas en Acción (IBA) CEO Vanessa Calderón-Rosado to celebrate the launch of the West Newton/Rutland Apartments rehabilitation. The project will transfer ownership of the South End properties from the BHA to IBA, a nonprofit community development organization, to renovate and preserve the properties' long-term affordability for future generations.   "Preserving Boston's affordable housing stock is key to ensuring that everyone who wants to live here can afford to do so," said Mayor Walsh. "I'm proud that because of this partnership these affordable units will be preserved for hundreds of families in the South End for decades to come."   The $47.2 million project will preserve 146 units of affordable, public housing on West Newton and Rutland Streets in the South End. BHA is providing the operating subsidy associated with all 146 apartment units. The rehabilitation work includes exterior masonry repairs, new windows at the roof dormer level, exterior doors, roofs, fire alarms, accessible ramps and a sprinkler system. Eight units will be renovated to be accessible units and 11 units that are currently uninhabitable will be made available. IBA will convert the public housing units to long term rental assistance, with 110 units funded through the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program and 36 units funded through Section 8 project-based vouchers provided by the BHA. The development will be restricted as affordable for 99 years through a restricted ground-lease with the BHA.   "It's a great day for residents of the South End. As we work to upgrade our public housing units, one of our priorities is to make sure that we do not lose a single unit of affordable housing in the process," BHA Administrator Bill McGonagle said. "This project ensures that these deeply affordable units are preserved for hundreds of families in the South End in the decades to come."   "As living costs continue to rise across the city, we remain firmly committed to identifying new ways to expand affordable housing and empower low-income minority residents in Boston," said IBA CEO Dr. Vanessa Calderón-Rosado. "We are grateful to the Boston Housing Authority for providing us with an opportunity to come full circle with this property, revitalize the West Newton/Rutland apartments and welcome its residents into our community."   The project will be funded through federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, federal and state Historic Tax Credits, and a construction to permanent loan of $7.76 million utilizing tax-exempt bonds. Lenders include MassHousing, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Wells Fargo.   In 1977, IBA conducted a renovation of the West Newton Street properties, converting late 19th century brick South End row-houses into public housing for the Boston Housing Authority. Going forward, they will offer residents access to IBA's residential programs and services, which include education, workforce development, advocacy, arts and cultural programming.   At the outset of redevelopment and throughout the long-term, IBA will remain committed to upgrading and maintaining the properties' physical condition in a way that preserves the site's affordability, minimizes disruption to residents, engages them meaningfully, and creates jobs and economic opportunity.   A recently-released inventory of Boston's affordable housing found the South End to be the neighborhood with the highest concentration of income-restricted housing stock in the city. According to Income-Restricted Housing in Boston, almost half (48 percent) of all housing in the South End is income restricted.   The West Newton/Rutland renovation strongly aligns with the City's housing goals outlined in Housing a Changing City: Boston 2030. Mayor Walsh recently increased the City's overall housing targets from 53,000 to 69,000 new units by 2030 to meet Boston's population growth. These updated housing goals build on Mayor Walsh's commitment to increasing access to home ownership, preventing displacement and promoting fair and equitable housing access.