波士頓市長吳弭宣佈釋出5000萬元可負擔房屋經費 9月30日截止申請

MAYOR WU ANNOUNCES $50 MILLION AVAILABLE FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING Funding will support the creation and preservation of affordable housing in Boston

 

BOSTON - Wednesday, August 17, 2022 - Mayor Michelle Wu announced today that the City of Boston has released two Requests for Proposals (RFP), totaling $50 million for affordable housing projects. This funding is available to create and preserve rental, cooperative, and homeownership developments in Boston.  “Safe and stable housing is critical for the health of our residents, families, and communities,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “This funding will ensure significant investments go toward safe, accessible affordable housing in our neighborhoods across the city. I’m grateful to the Mayor’s Office of Housing, the Neighborhood Housing Trust, and the Community Preservation Committee for their leadership and partnership with our nonprofit and for-profit community development organizations to ensure Boston is a city for everyone.”  The $50 million available represents the contributions of three different City sources whose combined resources will ensure a deeper impact for low, moderate, and middle-income Bostonians. Thirty million dollars will be offered from funding sources controlled by the City of Boston’s Mayor’s Office of Housing and the Community Preservation Fund. The Neighborhood Housing Trust Fund (NHT) is contributing the remaining $20 million in revenue from commercial real estate extractions, through the Linkage program.    There will be a virtual Applicant's Conference on Wednesday, August 24, 2022, at 10:00 am. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit a Letter of Intent by Friday, August 26, 2022, and a final proposal by September 30, 2022, no later than 4 pm. Interested applicants may register for a package here.   The Mayor’s Office of Housing, the Community Preservation Committee, and the Neighborhood Housing Trust will prioritize development proposals that produce significant percentages of housing for residents who have low incomes and those that serve homeless individuals, seniors, and residents with disabilities. The development projects must support the City of Boston’s goals to further fair housing, efficiently use City resources and land to increase the production and preservation of mixed-income housing, and help preserve affordable housing in at-risk expiring use developments.   “Once again, Mayor Wu is demonstrating that she gets it—she is truly a mayor for everyone. We appreciate her recognition that the provision of affordable housing is critical to the City’s vibrancy—and how she is making these new resources available,” said Amy Schectman, President & CEO of 2Life Communities. “This commitment is fantastic! We are thrilled to support this exciting effort and hope that through this significant funding, our model for aging in community can be replicated to ensure older adults in Boston can live full lives of connection and purpose in the places they treasure.”     This year’s RFPs will also enhance the City’s long-standing focus on advancing equity in every stage of the housing creation and preservation process.    The RFPs require developers to report on how they will ensure the City of Boston’s Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) minority-owned businesses are represented throughout the development and property management process. Development teams that are certified minority-owned business enterprises (MBE) and owners of 25% or more of the proposed project will receive the highest preference when award decisions are being made. Development teams where 25% or more of soft costs go to MBE consultants that have been identified as part of the team at the time of application will also receive an advantage. Applicants must also provide information on how resident services offered in a multifamily development will help support the economic mobility of residents who will live in affordable housing units.  All new construction projects funded in this latest round will be required to follow the Zero Emissions Building (ZEB) requirements outlined in the MOH Design Standards. Developers will be required to submit a preliminary Net Zero Strategy as part of the design submission. New multi-family buildings must use electricity and on-site photovoltaics as the sole (or primary) fuel source.    "Accomplishing our vision for the Blue Hill Ave B1 parcels is highly dependent on our ability to secure funding from the Mayor's Office of Housing,” said Dariela Villon-Maga, President and Owner, DVM Consulting. “Without it, we would not be able to offer the level of affordability the Dorchester and Mattapan community truly needs. It allows us to create new, safe, energy-efficient homeownership and rental opportunities for those that need them the most. MOH is a critical partner to affordable housing developers working to combat Boston's housing affordability crisis.”  In addition to these City sources, the Mayor’s Office of Housing has at its disposal significant federal funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) that can be used for affordable housing development. In July, the Boston City Council approved Mayor Wu’s precedent-setting investment in affordable housing from ARPA funds, committing more than $205M to addressing specific housing issues. These investments include:   ·       $58 million for affordable housing production and financial support to homebuyers ·       $30 million to transform publicly-owned land into green, mixed-income communities  ·       $26 million for property acquisitions to prevent displacement ·       $20 million for greening affordable housing through deep green energy retrofits of existing buildings ·       $19 million to create new permanent supportive housing for homeless individuals with substance use and behavioral health disorders  The majority of these ARPA funds will be released through additional competitive requests for proposals, some in combination with public land disposition. Some portion of these funds may be distributed through this RFP to eligible projects.

Governor Baker Nominates Lawrence F. Army, Jr. as Associate Justice of the Probate and Family Court

 Governor Baker Nominates Lawrence F. Army, Jr. as Associate Justice of the Probate and Family Court

BOSTON – Today, Governor Charlie Baker nominated Lawrence F. Army, Jr. as Associate Justice of the Probate and Family Court.

 

“Attorney Army’s decades of experience representing clients in Probate and Family Court make him well-qualified for this appointment,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “I am pleased to submit his nomination to the Governor’s Council for their advice and consent.”

 

“Attorney Army possesses a deep knowledge of not just the law, but also the importance and sensitivity of the matters that come before the Probate and Family Court,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “If approved, I am confident he will serve the judiciary fairly and thoughtfully.”

 

The Probate and Family Court Department has jurisdiction over family-related and probate matters such as divorce, paternity, child support, custody, parenting time, adoption, termination of parental rights, abuse prevention and wills, estates, trusts, guardianships, conservatorships, and changes of name. The Probate and Family Court has 51 judges, including Chief Justice John D. Casey. For more information on the Probate and Family Court, please visit their homepage.

 

Judicial nominations are subject to the advice and consent of the Governor’s Council. Applicants for judicial openings are reviewed by the Judicial Nominating Commission (JNC) and recommended to the governor. Governor Baker established the JNC in February 2015 pursuant to Executive Order 558, a non-partisan, non-political Commission composed of volunteers from a cross-section of the Commonwealth's diverse population to screen judicial applications. Twenty-one members were later appointed to the JNC in April 2015.

 

About Lawrence F. Army, Jr.

 

Lawrence F. Army, Jr. began his law career in 1996 as an associate at Army & Army, LLC, managing and litigating a variety of matters in a general practice firm. He then began his own firm, Army & Lee P.C., in 2012 and managed the firm’s probate and family law division, representing clients throughout Massachusetts in Probate and Family Court. Attorney Army served as partner and co-owner in his next firm, Army & Kirtsy, LLC, in 2015 and represented clients in high conflict domestic relationship matters while managing the probate and family law division. Since 2016, Attorney Army has served as managing partner of Army & Roche, LLC and continues to lead the practice’s probate and family court matters. An active member of his community, Attorney Army serves on the Town of Grafton’s Affordable Housing Committee and previously served as Chairman of the Grafton Housing Authority. He served on the Worcester County Bar Association from 2012 until 2016, and has been a member of the Greg Hill Foundation’s Board of Directors since 2019. Attorney Army received his bachelor’s degree from Seton Hall University in 1993 and his law degree from Suffolk University Law School in 1996.

波士頓中秋聯歡紀念黃述沾排球賽 波士頓劍虹B、紐英崙至孝篤親奪男女組冠軍

女子組冠軍紐英崙至孝篤親隊。 (主辦單位提供)

               (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導) 紐英崙中華公所華埠中秋節聯歡會中的” 紀念黃述沾排球賽” ，男子，女子各5隊的比賽，依序由波士頓劍虹體育會B隊、紐英崙至孝篤親隊奪冠。

男子組冠軍波士頓劍虹B隊。 (主辦單位提供)

              今年的這場華埠中秋節聯歡會”紀念黃述沾排球賽”由1970年代就成立了的華風體育會 (Boston Hurricane)主辦，男子組有華風隊 (Boston Hurricanes)的藍隊和黑隊，波士頓劍虹隊 (Boston Knights) ，波士頓洪青體育會 (Boston Mason) ，波士頓漲潮 (Boston Rising Tide)等4隊。女子組有波士頓洪青體育會 (Boston Freemasons) ，紐英崙至孝篤親公所，華風藍隊，華風黑隊，波士頓劍虹隊。

              8月14日的這9人排球賽，男女組的每一隊，要和其他4隊各賽一場，兩個輪回之後，在4分到21分之間，以輸贏紀錄來決定冠亞季軍得主。

              統籌女子組比賽的紐英崙至孝篤親隊隊長李秀娟在生命科學及生物醫藥領域工作。她從2000年就開始打9人排球賽了。他們這隊大約有20到30名隊員，年齡在14至40歲之間。

              北美華人國際排球邀請賽的主辦人阮浩鑾，以及協辦七月底在Everett舉辦排球賽的阮鴻燦指出，這天的比賽主要是給球技還不算紮實的球員們一個豐富比賽經驗的機會。9月的勞工節週末，才是大家都期待的大比賽。

波士頓華風體育會隊員陣容壯觀。 (該會網站截圖)

比賽一景。(周菊子攝)

比賽一景。(周菊子攝)

比賽一景。(周菊子攝)

AAPIs file Legal Complaint against Arizona State Laws in Violation of the U.S. Constitution and Federal Voting Laws

AAPIs file Legal Complaint against Arizona State Laws in Violation of the U.S. Constitution and Federal Voting Laws

 

Washington, D.C. — Yesterday, Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC (Advancing Justice – AAJC) and global law firm Latham & Watkins, along with local counsel Spencer Fane, filed a complaint on behalf of Arizona Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander for Equity Coalition (AZ AANHPI for Equity Coalition) against officials in Arizona tasked with enforcing election laws and implementing House Bill 2492 and House Bill 2243, two state laws that stand in violation of the U.S. Constitution, the National Voter Registration Act, and the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

 

In 2022, Arizona passed H.B. 2492 and H.B. 2243, two state laws designed to restrict and deny the voting rights of Arizona’s voters of color and naturalized voters. Combined, they establish various citizenship and “proof” requirements for voting, along with swift voter cancellations and the creation of an “anyone-can-accuse” investigation system that refers accused voters who are unable to provide onerous evidence of citizenship to criminal investigations.

 

“All Arizonians deserve the right to vote fairly and equally, no matter their race, country of origin, or path taken to citizenship,” said May Tiwamangkala, Democracy Defender Director at AZ AANHPI for Equity Coalition. “We reject any attempt to restrict this fundamental right by imposing discriminatory and arbitrary requirements designed to suppress voters of color and naturalized voters, including AANHPIs.”

 

Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders are among one of the fastest growing racial groups in Arizona, with over 40% of AANHPI voting age Arizonans being naturalized U.S. citizens and over a quarter of AANHPI Arizonans being limited English proficient (LEP). If implemented, H.B. 2492 and H.B. 2243 will create additional barriers for U.S. citizens to register to vote and to cast a ballot, especially for those who are naturalized, LEP, and have limited access to in-language voting rights information and resources.

 

“H.B. 2492 and H.B. 2243 will have a disproportionate impact on many AANHPI voters and naturalized voters in Arizona. These laws further inflame xenophobia by perpetuating false claims of voter fraud committed by non-citizens,” said Niyati Shah, Director of Litigation at Advancing Justice – AAJC. “We urge the state to remove these barriers and meet its obligation to protect and expand the voting rights of Arizonans.”

“Simply put, restricting the right to vote is against the law. As we look forward to proving in court, these state laws violate the Constitution as well as landmark legislation designed to uphold and strengthen our democracy,” said Sadik Huseny, Latham & Watkins partner.

麻州總檢察官辦公室辦案再告捷 全國貸款服務公司將撥320萬給麻州屋主

 NATIONAL MORTGAGE SERVICER TO PROVIDE $3.2 MILLION IN RELIEF TO MASSACHUSETTS HOMEOWNERS IN SETTLEMENT WITH AG’S OFFICE

Fay Servicing Resolves Allegations That It Failed to Help Homeowners Avoid Foreclosure; Engaged in Mortgage Servicing and Debt Collection Misconduct

 

            BOSTON – A national mortgage servicer will provide $3.2 million in relief for Massachusetts consumers to settle allegations that it engaged in unfair and deceptive conduct through its mortgage servicing, debt collection, and foreclosure practices, Attorney General Maura Healey announced.

 

            The assurance of discontinuance, filed in Suffolk Superior Court, alleges that Fay Servicing, LLC failed to take required steps to help homeowners avoid foreclosure, harassed consumers with excessive debt collection calls, failed to inform borrowers of their right to request verification of the amount of their debt, and in some instances, unfairly charged foreclosure-related fees before obtaining authority to foreclose.

 

            “Mortgage servicers are required to make a good faith effort to help prevent unnecessary foreclosures and keep Massachusetts families in their homes,” said AG Healey. “This settlement will help put money back in the pockets of borrowers who were harmed and ensure that this company complies with the law.”

 

            The AG’s Office alleges that Fay Servicing violated the Massachusetts Act Preventing Unlawful and Unnecessary Foreclosures, also known as “35B,” a law that requires mortgage servicers to make a good faith effort to help borrowers with unfair loan terms avoid foreclosure. This involves providing notice and opportunity for borrowers to apply and be reviewed for loan modifications. A good faith modification review under 35B must include, among other things, consideration of the borrower’s ability to pay and the affordability of the modification. The AG’s Office alleges that Fay Servicing offered loan modifications that required borrowers to pay very large, up front “good faith down payments” which were not subject to an affordability analysis. This practice often prevented eligible homeowners from entering otherwise affordable loan modifications.

             

The AG’s Office alleges other 35B violations by Fay Servicing including: failure to complete timely reviews of borrowers’ loan modification applications, failure to disclose reasons for denying a loan modification, and failure to provide borrowers with notice of their right to present a counteroffer. Fay Servicing also did not provide borrowers with a written assessment required by law, which provides borrowers with the company’s calculation of the borrower’s income, debts, and obligations, and the company’s analysis weighing foreclosure against modification.

 

The AG’s Office also found that, in some instances, Fay Servicing initiated foreclosure processes—including charging borrowers foreclosure-related fees—before it had authority to foreclose.

 

            In addition, Fay Servicing employees allegedly made frequent calls to borrowers to collect on their debts, calling multiple phone numbers and on multiple days in a week, far in excess of the number of calls permitted by state law. Under the AG’s Debt Collection Regulations, creditors cannot call more than twice in a seven-day period, and must, within five days of an initial debt collection communication, provide borrowers with notice and opportunity to validate the amount of the debt. The AG’s Office also alleges Fay Servicing failed to provide hundreds of borrowers with required debt validation notices.

    

Under the terms of the settlement, Fay Servicing must provide affected homeowners with $2.7 million in direct borrower relief in the form of principal forgiveness for eligible loans. The company will also pay $500,000 to the state and make significant changes to its business practices in order to better assist struggling borrowers.

            AG Healey remains committed to ensuring that mortgage servicers and other creditors respect the rights of homeowners under state law. The AG’s Office has been a national leader in securing restitution and other relief for borrowers from banks and servicers, including HSBC, Ditech, Nationstar, Shellpoint Mortgage Servicing, Caliber Home Loans, PHH, Bayview, Seterus, and others on behalf of Massachusetts homeowners.

            This case was handled by Assistant Attorneys General Alda Chan and Mercy Cover of the AG’s Consumer Protection Division.

昆士市長Koch邀民眾9/3欣賞流行、交響樂

             (Boston Orange) 昆士市市長柯奇 (Thomas P. Koch) 發新聞稿，邀市民9月3日 (週六) 下午4點，到興國亞當廣場 (Hancock Adams Common) 欣賞流行曲音樂會。

                                        這場流行曲音樂會將由昆士市合唱協會 (The Quincy Choral Society)和昆士交響樂團 (Quincy Symphony Orchestra) 聯合演出。

                                                昆士市長柯奇說，「我們很幸運，社區中有那麼出色，才華橫溢的歌手和音樂家」，歡迎大家屆時出席，欣賞昆士市合唱協會和昆市交響樂團的藝術演出，在星國亞當廣場度過一個美好的9月初夜晚。

                                    這場音樂會將從下午4點開始，活動現場提供歌舞表演桌椅以及劇院座位。民眾可自行攜帶草坪椅，向Hive Mobile Bar 購買啤酒和葡萄酒。

          

POPS CONCERT ON THE HANCOCK ADAMS COMMON SEPTEMBER 3th

QUINCY, MA – August 16, 2022 Mayor Thomas P. Koch and the City of Quincy invite the community to enjoy an evening of music and song on Saturday, September 3, 2022 for a combined Pops Concert by and Quincy Symphony Orchestra.

“We are so fortunate to have such a tremendous caliber of talented singers and musicians in our community. We welcome everyone to appreciate the artistry of the Quincy Symphony Orchestra & Quincy Choral Society on what we hope to be a beautiful early September evening on the Hancock Adams Common,” said Mayor Thomas P. Koch.

The concert begins at 4:00 p.m. Cabaret tables and chairs along with theatre seating will be available. Lawn chairs are allowed. Beer and wine can be purchased from Hive Mobile Bar.

波士頓華埠居民會今晚 (8/17)討論地鐵橘線停駛

 

MAYOR WU ANNOUNCES CITY AWARDED $23 MILLION EDA GOOD JOBS CHALLENGE GRANT

MAYOR WU ANNOUNCES CITY AWARDED $23 MILLION EDA GOOD JOBS CHALLENGE GRANT ARPA funds will provide more than 4,600 projected job placements in Healthcare, Clean Energy, and Child Care and support services to Black, Indigenous, and People of Color residents in the Greater Boston area  over the next three years

BOSTON - Tuesday, August 16, 2022 - Mayor Michelle Wu today announced that the City of Boston has been awarded a $23 million American Rescue Plan Good Jobs Challenge grant by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA). This grant will establish a Regional Workforce Training System (RWTS) that will focus on training and placement for 4,618 quality jobs within targeted industries including healthcare, clean energy, and child care. This announcement was made today at an event at Beth Israel Lahey Health. As the lead applicant, the Mayor’s Office of Workforce Development (OWD) brought together partners from key organizations that serve unemployed, underemployed, incumbent workers, community college students, and BIPOC individuals within the Greater Boston Region. Over 100 local employers will create opportunities and connect the region’s workers to training and career pathways within the childcare, healthcare, and clean energy industries, over a three-year grant period, beginning in October 2022. “This important funding will connect participating residents with more than 4,000 living wage jobs and crucial support services,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “This grant will accelerate our work to make Boston a city for everyone and connect our residents with opportunities in healthcare, child care and clean energy. I’m grateful to the Biden Administration for their partnership and our Office of Workforce Development team for their leadership in securing this critical grant.”  “Thanks to President Biden’s American Rescue Plan, this EDA Good Jobs Challenge grant is delivering for thousands of Bostonians and their families across several crucial industries,” said U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves. “Ensuring the placement of underrepresented populations into quality, good-paying jobs ensures the success of individuals, the community, and the local economy.” “The awarding of this grant by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration will go a long way toward helping us reach our Cabinet’s vision of an equitable, sustainable city that centers people and creates opportunities to build generational wealth,”  said Segun Idowu, Chief of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion. “I am grateful to Director Trinh Nguyen and her team at the Office of Workforce Development for their months-long dedication to forging lasting partnerships and crafting an award-winning submission. Their commitment has helped ensure that pathways to lucrative opportunities in critical industries are available to those Bostonians most in need.”  "We are proud of the work the Office of Workforce Development has done here to be able to bring this important grant funding back to Boston, to stimulate our economy and diversify our business community," said Arthur Jemison, Chief of Planning. “I look forward to seeing this pipeline of diverse workers thrive, while making a big impact on Boston's future.” These jobs will have pathways that lead to family-sustaining wages, employer-sponsored benefits, and educational attainment. With continual program evaluation and client tracking, the RWTS will meet the needs of employers and job seekers alike. “This grant is the result of close collaboration between the City of Boston and major employer partners such as Mass General Brigham and Beth Israel Lahey Health, employer partners of Asian American Civic Association , and the YMCA and the Massachusetts Association of Early Education & Care (Child Care),” said Trinh Nguyen, Director of Office of Workforce Development. “With ready-to-scale projects in key sectors, these partners will create sustainable pipelines to good-paying jobs with a focus on people of color who have been historically excluded from jobs with advancement potential.”   “All of us at Beth Israel Lahey Health are proud to partner with the City of Boston’s Office of Workforce Development, and we’re grateful to the Biden Administration for their support for our efforts to develop the exceptional workforce we have today and engage the next generation of talented caregivers and staff,” said Kevin Tabb, MD, president and CEO, Beth Israel Lahey Health.  “Partnerships like these help us meet our shared goals of building the economic security of the region and meeting the diverse needs of our community.” Each targeted industry is led by a backbone organization that serves as a leader and convener within its respective industry. Leading the healthcare industry is the MassHire Boston Workforce Board (Boston PIC), for clean energy, Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology (BFIT), and for child care, the Community Advocates for Young Learners (CAYL) Institute. Education and training partners also include Boston’s community colleges. The grant will serve the Greater Boston Region and the Child Care Sectoral Partnership covers the cities of Lawrence, Lowell, Lynn, and Salem. In addition, 10 MassHire career centers in the defined region will provide outreach and recruitment, assessment, career coaching, employer engagement, and job placement throughout all three sectors. “The CAYL Institute is honored to lead this effort to increase the visibility and strength of the child care sector as a key partner in Massachusetts’ economic development priorities.  We will bolster and expand  this essential and skilled workforce in order to facilitate child development opportunities, support families, and transform early childhood education systems,” said Dr. Valora Washington, Founder and CEO of the CAYL Institute. “We are grateful to Mayor Wu, the Office of Workforce Development, and the Biden Administration for making this award possible,” said Dr. Aisha Francis, president & CEO of Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology. “This funding will contribute to the growth of skilled clean energy professionals educated through our Renewable Energy and Building Energy Efficiency programs. We are grateful for the added support to provide students with the skills that align with good-paying green jobs that need to be filled with a trained workforce right now.” “This grant offers an extraordinary opportunity for job seekers to enter and advance within the healthcare industry, Boston's largest employment sector,” said Neil Sullivan, Executive Director of the Boston Private Industry Council, which organizes Boston's Healthcare Careers Consortium.  “Boston's major hospitals are eager to work with job training organizations to broaden their access to talent and to diversify their organizations at all levels." “The Good Jobs Challenge will allow us to address the needs of communities that were most severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and recession, helping households that have lost jobs to find employment and services in child care, health care, and clean energy.  We are thrilled to be part of this project!” said Marc Draisen, Executive Director of the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC).   OWD will partner with MAPC, the Boston metro’s regional planning agency and EDA-designated Economic Development District. MAPC will serve to coordinate, convene, and facilitate establishment of a Greater Boston Regional Workforce Training System to include the three career pathways. MAPC has also been building up engagements to support our most vulnerable workers - including BIPOC community members who are overrepresented in the low end of the labor market. The Good Jobs Challenge is administered by the Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration and will enable communities across the country to invest in innovative approaches to workforce development that will secure job opportunities for more than 50,000 Americans. The Good Jobs Challenge is designed to help get Americans back to work by developing holistic regional workforce systems with strong sectoral and employer partnerships that will lead to good-paying jobs.