華埠機構支持“正當理由驅逐”條款

十數個機構日前（10月3日)舉辦“有權留在波士頓大會（Right to Remain in Boston Assembly）”，呼籲，見證“正當理由驅逐條款（Just Cause Eviction law）”，結束逼遷狀況。

         由“對波士頓市有權（Right to the City Boston）”，以及波士頓租戶聯盟（Boston Tenant Coalition）合作舉辦的前述活動，邀集了包括華人前進會等廿個組織，為保護民眾，讓他們在波士頓市快速貴族化之際，有權留在波士頓而站出來說話。

         波士頓市議員米高法拉提（Michael Flaherty），史帝夫墨菲（Stephen Murphy），查理楊西（Charles Yancey），提多傑克遜（Tito Jackson）等人都支持這一活動。

         主辦單位表示，這次集會的主要目標是推動“正當理由驅逐法“正式成為條例，爭取一個社區內應有多種不同用途房屋，呼籲以集體力量加強對波士頓市2015年大選的影響力，與全美各地城市攜手，鼓吹“居住正義”等。

     他們指出，在2006年至2012年間，波士頓市內有不下4500個家庭住宅貸款贖回權被取消（foreclosed），其中許多家庭因此流離失所。但波士頓居民中，有67%的人貸屋而居，這些人的年收入平均才34,400元，促使政府採取行動，為民眾提供可負擔，無障礙住宅，因此變得格外重要。

         主辦單位等機構，迄今已徵得2708個簽名，將繼續推動，呼籲政府保護社區內住宅的可負擔性。

圖片說明

            華埠居民支持被逼遷家庭。（圖由前進會提供）

            華人前進會共同主席湯建華（前中），華埠居民會共同主席余仕昂

等人也親自出席會議。（圖由前進會提供）

            民眾舉標語支持“正當理由驅逐條款”。（圖由前進會提供）

耆英會新康樂樓剪綵 74單位啟用

)(本報記者菊子波士頓綜合報導)大波士頓華埠最新的一棟老人屋，擴建成74戶的康樂樓，昨（5）日邀得波士頓市長馬丁華殊（Martin J. Walsh），波士頓市議會議長林乃肯（Bill Linehan），經文處處長賴銘琪等嘉賓剪綵，將逐步完善內部設施，全面使用。

            新康樂樓是由中華耆英會（GBCGAC) 和羅傑森社區（Rogerson Communities ）的合作成果，斥資逾3700萬元，分33戶，再42戶的二期工程，先蓋新樓，再拆舊樓，蓋新樓，才擴建成共有74戶單位新樓，符合綠色樓宇規定的工程。

            這一擴建，改善了波士頓市內低收入耆英住宅，保留了屋頂花園，公共活動空間。中華耆英會提供的成人日間護理項目，也將由該會工作人員在該樓宇內為耆英繼續服務。

            波士頓市長馬丁華殊表示，市府很高興康樂樓擴建完成，因為市府知道維持，並在市區內增加可負擔住宅的重要性。他感謝羅傑森社區，中華耆英會，以及聯邦房屋及市區發展局（HUD），麻州住宅及社區發展局等機構的通力合作。

今（6）天早上，他還和波士頓房屋局主管到多徹斯特的碧波地英格伍（Peabody Englewood ）公寓，宣佈一項耆英，殘障人士可負擔住宅的重大發展計畫。

            中華耆英會是個座落於華埠之內，每天為不下1200名低收入耆英提供服務的機構。波士頓重建局為此發展計畫，貢獻了逾1100萬元。

            舊康樂樓是一棟只有28戶根據聯邦房住局202章節標準建造，簽有住宅援助付款合約（HAP）的住宅大樓。在擴建工程中，舊樓部分除了保留具歷史意義的外牆，其餘全都拆掉了新建。

        這棟大樓的所有單位，都是以家庭收入低於中位收入（AMI）百分之五十者為對象的可負擔住宅。大樓內共有38戶套房，37戶一睡房，其中一戶是保留給管理經理的單位。

        大樓內有8 戶是撥給年收入低於平均中位收入30%的無家可歸者。所有的單位都適合耆英居住，其中有4戶有完整的適合殘障人士設備。

            新康樂樓座落於波士頓華埠內的自由樹歷史區，由建築師施家銘設計，華殊兄弟做總承包商。大樓內有可每日供32人參加的成人日間護理項目，比原本的可服務20人，大有增加。樓內還有隔間供醫療服務用。樓頂花園及太極區，坐輪椅的人都可搭電梯上樓使用。

            新康樂樓的總造價為 $37,168,937。波士頓市政府及波士頓重建局投資了 $11,213,494 ，麻州政府資助了 $5,714,861 。其餘的建樓所需款項 $20,240,582 ，來自麻州發展公司發行的4%低收入住宅抵稅優惠，以及聯邦政府的更換保留款，私人捐助，基金會撥款等。

圖片說明：

            經文處處長賴銘琪（左二），塔芙茨醫療中心董事長萬格納，波士頓市議會議長林乃肯，波士頓市長馬丁華殊（左六），中華耆英會行政主任梅伍銀寬（左六前起），梅炳鈿，李壽泮，陳建立（右三），黃瑞瑜（右二）等人為剪綵合影。（圖由林乃肯辦公室提供）

CC100515B-2

經文處處長賴銘琪（左起），塔芙茨醫療中心董事長萬格納，波士頓市議會議長林乃肯，中華耆英會行政主任梅伍銀寬，波士頓市長馬丁華殊，梅炳鈿等人為康樂樓啟用剪綵。（圖由林乃肯辦公室提供）

六機構辦慶雙十書畫攝影展

書畫展主辦人合影，前左起，莊著學，周文熙，程嶺，黃鏡明，
陳銘俊，阮鴻燦，池元山，吳紹營，以及阮伯疇（右一），後排
左起，黃定國，黃周麗桃，郭大文，林卓培，陳綺怡，梁小玲
等人。（劉羽晨攝）

（實習記者劉羽晨波士頓報導）波士頓中華書法會、僑教中心、紐英崙藝術學會、紐英崙中華公所、中華表演藝術基金會、北美藝術家協會等六機構，10月4日在紐英崙中華公所會議室，攜手舉辦「雙十國慶書畫攝影展」，掛出“瀚墨書盛世，詩畫送神州”的祝福，有近百人出席，盛極一時。

書畫展開幕儀式。（劉羽晨攝）

            開幕式由書法會前會長周麗桃擔任司儀，紐英崙中華公所主席阮鴻燦、波士頓中華書法會會長陳綺怡與池元山、北美藝術家協會會長程嶺、僑教中心主任郭大文、駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處副處長陳銘俊博士等人，一一為開幕致詞。

            慶祝民國104年生日的這書畫展，共展出２３名作家的８２件作品，其中書法２７件、水墨３２件、攝影７件、素描８件及篆刻８件。參展作品包括阮伯疇的蝦畫，莊著學的書法，以及紐英崙藝術協會前會長林卓培的素描等等。

波士頓蝦王阮伯疇與其蝦畫作品合影。（劉羽晨攝）

            中華書法會會長池元山表示，雖然他們以藝術慶祝雙十，但藝術其實應超越任何政治與黨派，不受之左右。他指出，慶祝雙十書畫展一年一年辦下來，人們看到的趨勢是，來自中國大陸的朋友越來越多，來自台灣的人越來越少，不過正如北美藝術家協會前會長程嶺說的，在漢字文化的共有歷史發展脈絡中，政治實在很渺小。

莊著學與其書法作品合影。（劉羽晨攝）

            參展者之一是有「波士頓蝦王」美譽的阮伯疇。他投身繪畫２０多年，師承齊白石兒子齊良遲，能畫出正宗齊派蝦子，筆調有齊白石之風，而備受歡迎。

            「雙十國慶書畫攝影展」將在中華公所會議廳從即日起持續展至10月10日。

大波士頓僑界將於10月10日在波士頓市府廣場舉行青天白日滿地紅升旗典禮，預定上午十點開始，有花車參與遊行。大波士頓僑胞將從中國城華埠牌樓出發，走到波士頓市府廣場升旗。

中華書法會會長池元山與紐英崙中華公所阮鴻燦主席合影。
（劉羽晨攝）

MAYOR WALSH ROLLS OUT 'LOVE YOUR BLOCK'

MAYOR WALSH ROLLS OUT 'LOVE YOUR BLOCK': COMMUNITY REVITALIZATION EFFORTS THROUGHOUT ROXBURY, DORCHESTER AND MATTAPAN

BOSTON - Monday, October 5, 2015 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced a series of community meetings and grant applications for 'Love Your Block,' a neighborhood improvement program that aims to involve residents in local revitalization efforts throughout Roxbury, Dorchester and Mattapan neighborhoods. "Programs like 'Love Your Block' provide a tremendous opportunity to involve community members in the future of their neighborhoods in a hands-on manner," Mayor Walsh said. "The future of what our neighborhoods look like should not be decided behind closed doors, but should be decided on the streets with the residents who call these neighborhoods home. This program takes an innovative approach towards making that goal a reality." In February, Boston was selected as one of seven cities to participate in the program, an honor which was accompanied by a $30,000 "Love Your Block" Award and dedicated AmeriCorps VISTAs to support neighborhood revitalization projects. Through Love Your Block, the City of Boston will provide mini-grants to local neighborhood groups, block associations, and community-based organizations to carry out revitalization projects in target areas. "The City of Boston's plan to concentrate its time and funding in neighborhoods most in need, and to include residents in decision making, is exactly what Cities of Service is about - engaging citizens in elevating and addressing priorities to achieve concrete results together with local government. We are excited to have Mayor Walsh's office as a partner in Love Your Block and future impact volunteering initiatives, and look forward to working with them," said Myung J. Lee, executive director of Cities of Service. Starting this month, Love Your Block will be hosting community meetings in Roxbury, Dorchester and Mattapan. Love Your Block will be joined in Roxbury by Union Capital Boston, a nonprofit, mobile-based loyalty program for low-income families that provides social and financial service rewards in exchange for community involvement. The meetings will involve a brief overview of Love Your Block and an in-depth look at the grant application process. The community meeting schedule is as follows: Wednesday, October 7th, from 6-8 PM at KIPP Academy, 384 Warren St, Roxbury Thursday, October 29th, from 6-8 PM at Codman Square Health Center, 637 Washington St, Dorchester Wednesday, November 4th, from 6-8 PM at ABCD Mattapan Family Service Center, 535 River St, Mattapan Anyone in the general area of Roxbury, Dorchester and Mattapan can apply for mini-grants so long as they can provide the volunteers to complete the project and ensure its upkeep. In order to provide multiple mini-grants, it is requested that no grant request is so large as to exclude other projects. Grant applications can be found at boston.gov/loveyourblock, and submitted in the Office of Neighborhood Services in room 805 at Boston City Hall, or at the community meetings.

Governor Baker Appoints Linn Torto to Spearhead Homelessness Efforts

Governor Baker Appoints Linn Torto to Spearhead Homelessness Efforts

Torto to lead interagency coordination on ending family homelessness and use of motels and hotels

BOSTON – Governor Charlie Baker today announced the appointment of Linn Torto as the Executive Director of the Interagency Council on Housing and Homelessness (ICHH), spearheading the administration’s efforts to end homelessness through the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS),  Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development (EOHED) and respective agencies. A veteran of state government, Torto brings extensive public and private sector experience in housing and policy development.

“I’m excited that Linn will be bringing her experience back to assisting the Commonwealth and our administration in addressing the tragic impacts of family homelessness and reducing the use of motels and hotels to house those in need,”said Governor Baker. “As we work to help families find or stay in permanent housing situations, Linn’s success and determination under prior administrations will bring a renewed focus on strategic policy reforms and coordination among various state agencies and stakeholders.”

As Executive Director of the ICHH, Torto will coordinate a comprehensive, local rapid response system aimed at preserving access to stable housing, preventing and reducing homelessness and sustaining the emergency shelter safety net. The Baker-Polito Administration has made ending family homelessness a priority as it moves forward with reforms to reach families before they need to enter the emergency shelter system and reduce the number of homeless families living in hotels and motels. Preventative services include access to affordable housing, case management, job training, education and childcare.

“As the chief architect of many of the housing policies that are still being utilized today, Linn has a commitment and passion for helping others and is a strong advocate for individuals and families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness,”said Marylou Sudders, Secretary of the Executive Office of Health and Human Services. “Linn has the ability to work within both the public and private sector to create partnerships, implement policies and develop housing for vulnerable populations.”

“I am pleased to welcome Ms. Torto to the important position as the Executive Director of the Interagency Council on Housing and Homelessness,” said Housing and Economic Development Secretary Jay Ash. “We look forward to working with her as she works to address the multifaceted nature of homelessness throughout the Commonwealth.”

"Under Governor Baker and with the leadership of Secretaries Sudders and Ash, the Interagency Council on Housing and Homelessness will provide the forum for an unprecedented level of collaboration and cooperation across all agencies who have a role in addressing the tragedy of homelessness in the Commonwealth,” said Torto. “Both families and individuals facing homelessness should be engaged in a family and person centered response to meet the goal of preserving and enhancing access to stable housing and furthering aspirations of good health and self-sufficiency."

The ICHH is charged with working to address both family and individual homeless populations as well as reviewing existing programs and recommending improvements to ensure that programs aimed at preventing and addressing homelessness are provided in the most efficient, productive manner; creating a strategic plan to end homelessness and increasing access to affordable housing; develop and administer plans to address homeless veterans and older adults and oversee and support the implementation of the End Family Homelessness Fund at EOHHS.

About Linn Torto:

Linn Torto began her new role on October 1^st after serving as a consultant to the Department of Developmental Services of Metro-Boston and Charles River West area offices, Department of Veterans Services and Department of Housing and Community Development since 2010. Torto spent eight years prior serving as the Director for Facilities Planning and Financing for the Department of Developmental Services in the Patrick, Romney and Swift administrations. Torto also served as an Assistant Secretary in the Executive Office for Administration and Finance from 2000 to 2002 and spent six years as the Assistant Secretary for Residential Services in the Executive Office of Health and Human Services in the Weld administration, including two years with then-Secretary, Governor Baker. Torto was also a Special Assistant to the Regional Administrator for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s New England Region and served the City of Boston and in the private sector.

BOSTON JOINS INTERNATIONAL GROUP OF CLIMATE CHANGE CHAMPIONS, URGES CLIMATE ACTION

BOSTON JOINS INTERNATIONAL GROUP OF CLIMATE CHANGE CHAMPIONS, URGES CLIMATE ACTION 

Our Cities, Our Climate Exchange will Leverage International Partnerships towards Innovative Climate Change Action

BOSTON – Monday, October 5, 2015 – Boston will play host today to city sustainability directors from 19 cities around the world through an international partnership of leaders committed to addressing climate change and its dangerous impacts. As part of the Our Cities, Our Climate program, the international exchange of climate leaders will leverage the important role cities play internationally in advancing innovative climate change action.

“Cities are on the front lines when it comes to climate change and its dangerous impacts; they are the incubators of innovative solutions to this immediate problem,” said Mayor Walsh. “We are pleased to host these sustainability directors from around the world to explore and share best practices to fight climate change. Thanks are due to Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Secretary of State John Kerry for convening these discussions and making these important discussions happen.”

Boston is the second of three U.S.-cities participating in the international exchange and will host discussions today and tomorrow. Prior to visiting Boston, the sustainability directors spent three days in San Francisco for similar meetings and are traveling to Washington, D.C. later this week.

“We look forward to sharing our successes with other cities to continue to combat climate change together on a global scale,” said Austin Blackmon, Chief of Environment, Energy, and Open Space who will be attending events in Boston and Washington. “Collaboration is crucial to our success, especially in the lead up to global climate talks.”

Led by Bloomberg Philanthropies and the U.S. State Department, the Our Cities, Our Climate international exchange brings together mayors, city sustainability directors, and climate change champions for robust, in-depth conversations focusing on issues such as solid waste strategy, transforming energy supplies, and building efficiency.

“Boston is a city with a unique place in history, driving social change, technological innovation and economic progress throughout the history of our nation,” said Michael R. Bloomberg, UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Cities and Climate Change. “Boston is also a city threatened by climate change and is among the global leaders in developing innovative solutions to tackle the most pressing environment and public health challenge facing the planet. I’m honored to work with Mayor Walsh on Our Cities, Our Climate – an initiative supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies – to convene climate action leaders from cities around the world to share their experiences and wisdom to accelerate action and progress in the fight against climate change.”

Amos Hostetter, founder and co-chair of Boston's Green Ribbon Commission, a group of business and civic leaders working in partnership with the City of Boston to address climate change and play host to the international exchange, said, "We are excited to welcome our counterparts from around the world to share and learn best practices in this critical work."

Named a Climate Champion city by the White House for its environmental initiatives and sustainability practices, Boston is a leader on climate action and has been named the most energy efficient city in the nation twice in a row.

As part of the international exchange, sustainability directors will tour the Charlestown’s Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital to learn more about its innovative climate change-adaptive design.

For more information about OC2 and the schedule of events in Boston, click here.

About Our Cities; Our Climate:

The Our Cities, Our Climate (OC2) partnership between Bloomberg Philanthropies and the U.S. Department of State is an international exchange program bringing together mayors from cities around the world committed to addressing climate change and preventing its harmful effects.

This exchange will allow for the leading voices in the fight against climate change to share best practices, discuss solutions, and ultimately accelerate the progress the world’s cities are making to address this global challenge.

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF EXHIBITION HONORING WOMEN POWER LIFTERS

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF EXHIBITION HONORING WOMEN POWER LIFTERS

Art displays at the Strand Theatre to highlight the strength of women power lifters

BOSTON - Monday, October 5, 2015 - The Mayor's Office of Arts & Culture together with the Mayor's Office of Women's Advancement launched 'Lift/Women Power-Lifters,' an exhibition by photographer Liane Brandon at the Strand Theatre in Upham's Corner. The exhibition will be on display throughout October 2015.  "Women are to be celebrated for all they contribute to our families, workplaces, and communities as a whole," said Mayor Walsh. "When we empower women to reach and go beyond their full potential, our society thrives in the best way possible. This artwork displays the strength that women are capable of, and I am proud to showcase it at the Strand Theatre this year." LIFT is a series of photographs celebrating four women power-lifters - women who defy physical and cultural stereotypes. They range in age from 27 to 60 and they are smart, interesting and strong. They have all won regional, national or world competitions  Lodrina is a forensic computer expert who weighs 123 pounds and can lift (an astonishing) 385 pounds.  She just placed first in national competition.  Jessica has a bachelor's degree in kinesthesiology.  Candace is a mom, the lead singer in a band, and a national titleholder.  Jane, the oldest, is a grandmother who went to Wellesley College.  She holds four world records. Brandon has created astounding images that convey the physical nature of the sport while evoking the spirit of these women. "I have always been concerned with the disconnect between public perception, media portrayal and reality - especially in the characterization of women," Brandon said. "While my still photography has covered a wide range of subjects, the lingering issue of media stereotypes and women has never been far from my mind. "The challenge for me as a documentary photographer is to create images that both convey the physical nature of the sport and evoke the spirit of these women.  While they are quite literally strong, I also see their physical strength as a metaphor for all the qualities I respect in women who have made a total commitment to any endeavor: courage, conviction, dedication, and perseverance." Liane Brandon (http://www.lianebrandon.com) is an award-winning independent filmmaker, photographer and University of Massachusetts/Amherst Professor Emerita.  Brandon has photographed wildlife, jazz musicians, artists, writers, Cape Verdean longshoremen, and production stills for the PBS television series American Experience, Nova, and American Masters.  Her photos have been published in the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, the Boston Globe and many other publications. Her groundbreaking films Anything You Want To Be and Betty Tells Her Story were among the first and most popular consciousness raising tools of the Women's Movement.  Her films have been featured on HBO, USA Cable, and TLC and presented at MoMA, the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, the Whitney Museum of American Art and the Tribeca Film Festival.