AG HEALEY ANNOUNCES STATEWIDE VOTER PROTECTION INITIATIVE

 

AG HEALEY ANNOUNCES STATEWIDE VOTER PROTECTION INITIATIVE

Pledges Prosecution of Voter Intimidation; Establishes Task Force to Ensure Election Protection; Launches Voter Education Campaign Across Massachusetts

            BOSTON – With a clear message that her office will protect the right to vote in Massachusetts, Attorney General Maura Healey today announced major initiatives to ensure election integrity in the weeks leading up to November 3.

 

“As Election Day approaches, I want each and every voter to know that my office is working hard to ensure your vote is counted, your voice is heard, and our elections have integrity,” AG Healey said. “We are here to strengthen trust in our democratic process and protect your right to vote.”

 

Election Protection Task Force

 

AG Healey has made voter protection and election integrity a priority of her office and is taking action to ensure a free and fair election. She convened an internal task force to coordinate election protection related priorities across the office and with state attorneys general across the country. 

 

The task force includes attorneys in the AG’s Office with expertise in civil rights, civil litigation, and criminal prosecution. Its work is focused on ensuring that every ballot cast is counted and preparing to respond to and prosecute voter intimidation, which includes staffing the office’s civil rights hotline to address concerns of interference at the polls.

 

Voter Education Campaign

 

The AG’s Office has launched a new website with resources available for voters, including important dates, information about voting options, and how the AG’s Office is protecting your right to vote. For more information, visit mass.gov/protectthevote.

 

This week, the AG’s Office will also distribute thousands of voter protection flyers in multiple languages to the state’s community-based organizations, faith-based groups, neighborhood associations, disability rights advocates, senior centers, colleges and universities, government officials, and municipalities. The flyers have been translated to Arabic, Chinese, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, Spanish, and Vietnamese, and are also available online at mass.gov/votingflyers.

 

            The AG’s Voter Protection Flyer has information about how to vote, including making sure voters register or confirm their voter registration at www.RegisterToVoteMA.com by the deadline of October 24, 2020. Voters can vote four ways:

 

• Vote Early by Mail: Apply now at www.MailMyBallotMA.com. We recommend you submit your application by October 20. Return your ballot by mail or deliver it in person to your local election office, an official ballot return drop box, or any early voting location in your city or town during early voting hours. Your ballot must be postmarked or dropped off by November 3 and, if mailed, must be received by your local election office by November 6. Track your ballot at www.TrackMyBallotMA.com or look up drop-off locations at www.mass.gov/vote.
• Vote Early in Person: Vote at an early voting location in your city or town between October 17 and October 30. Early voting locations and hours will be posted by October 9 on www.MassEarlyVote.com.
• Vote Absentee: You can vote absentee if you will be out of town or have a physical disability or a religious belief that prevents you from voting at your polling location. Request an absentee ballot by October 28 and postmark or drop off your ballot by November 3. If mailed, your ballot must be received by your local election office by November 6. Request an absentee ballot application by calling 1-800-462-VOTE or visiting www.mass.gov/vote.
• Vote in Person on Election Day: On November 3, vote at your polling location between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. If you are in line by 8 p.m., you have the right to vote. Confirm your polling location at www.WhereDoIVoteMA.com.

 

The AG’s flyer also discusses voters’ rights to equal access, to vote without intimidation and to have their vote counted. 

• Right to Equal Access: All polling locations are required to be accessible, have an accessible voting booth, and have a system that allows voters with disabilities to mark their ballot privately and independently. People with disabilities may also have someone assist them at an early voting or polling location, use the accessible vote-by-mail system, or vote absentee. Call 1-800-462-VOTE / TTY: 1-800-720-3480 for more info or visit www.mass.gov/vote.
• Right to Vote without Intimidation: State law prohibits election interference and voter intimidation. If someone verbally or physically confronts you while you are trying to vote, requests documentation where none is required, follows you, or interferes in some other way with your right to vote, call the Attorney General’s Office at 617-963-2917.
• Right to Have Your Vote Counted: If you vote by mail, track your ballot at www.TrackMyBallotMA.com to make sure it is received and accepted. If your ballot is rejected, your local election official should contact you and send another—you can submit the ballot or vote in person. If you receive a mail ballot but do not return it or if you are concerned your election office will not receive it in time, you may vote in person.

 

Protecting Against Voter Intimidation 

Voters have the right to cast their ballot free from intimidation, harassment, or interference. State and federal laws protect this right and AG Healey has said that those who engage in this type of illegal activity will be prosecuted. The law prohibits voter intimidation by public officials and private citizens alike.

 

In September, after President Trump threatened to send law enforcement officials to polling locations to monitor elections, AG Healey’s Office issued an advisory to make clear that intimidating or interfering with voters is illegal. The advisory reminds voters that their right to vote safely and free from intimidation, harassment, and coercion is protected under federal and state law.

 

AG Healey is reminding voters that if someone verbally or physically threatens or harasses you while you are trying to vote, or interferes in some other way with your right to vote, you can call the AG’s Civil Rights Division for help at 617-963-2917. If you need immediate assistance, dial 911 or contact your local police department.

 

Multistate Action

AG Healey joined a coalition of attorneys general in filing for a preliminary injunction, which was granted, in a lawsuit seeking an immediate halt to illegal changes to the United States Postal Service (USPS) that interfere with postal workers’ ability to effectively deliver the mail. In their lawsuit, the attorneys general assert that in some parts of the country, USPS’s actions from July 2020 have led to significant delays, harmed veterans, seniors, and rural communities, and could disrupt the November election without court intervention.

 

Information regarding voter registration and voting procedures in Massachusetts can be found on the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s Elections Division website at: www.sec.state.ma.us/ele.

MAYOR WALSH PROPOSES NEW RENEWABLE ENERGY FINANCING MECHANISM TO HELP ACHIEVE CARBON NEUTRALITY BY 2050

 

MAYOR WALSH PROPOSES NEW RENEWABLE ENERGY FINANCING MECHANISM TO HELP ACHIEVE CARBON NEUTRALITY BY 2050    Property Assessed Clean Energy provides commercial, industrial, and large residential buildings with a financing tool for renewable energy and efficiency upgrades   BOSTON - Wednesday, October 7, 2020 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced he has proposed an order that will allow the City of Boston to participate in the Massachusetts Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy Program (PACE), a tax-based financing mechanism that enables low-cost, long-term funding for energy improvements in existing commercial, industrial, nonprofit, and multifamily buildings with five or more units. By adopting this program, the City of Boston is building on the strategies identified in the 2019 Climate Action Plan to accelerate decarbonization in the city's largest buildings and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.   "Boston has set ambitious and necessary climate action and energy efficiency goals to protect our neighborhoods and create a resilient, healthy city," said Mayor Walsh. "PACE will help building owners access critical financing needed to complete energy improvements that will make their buildings healthier and more efficient, supporting the City's progress in reaching its goal of carbon neutrality by 2050."    According to the 2019 Climate Action Plan, buildings in Boston account for approximately 70 percent of citywide emissions. Under the PACE program, MassDevelopment uses an open market, third party direct financing model for qualifying energy projects. Existing buildings in the City of Boston can secure long-term financing for eligible energy improvements through a voluntary better assessment on property tax bills, therefore eliminating certain barriers to traditional financing and possibly alleviating pandemic-related financial impacts.    "As the single greatest source of emissions citywide, buildings in Boston also represent the greatest opportunity for reductions," said Chris Cook, Chief of Environment, Energy, and Open Space. "While we continue to implement actions to reduce Boston's overall carbon emissions and develop a building emissions performance standard, PACE is one in a set of tools that will assist building owners in meeting our goals and building a cleaner, healthier future for Boston."   In order to decarbonize large buildings, the City of Boston is currently developing an emissions performance standard that, when implemented, is projected to decrease citywide emissions nearly 40 percent by 2050. To lead by example, Mayor Walsh last year signed an Executive Order for all new City-owned buildings to target a Zero Net Carbon standard, and recently required that all new affordable housing construction funded by the City must meet Carbon Neutral performance standards.    "Climate action is first and foremost about protecting people - and Boston is helping to show the way. PACE is one tool in the kit that will allow the City to drive down harmful climate pollution, accelerate its clean energy goals, and make communities more resilient. As an American Cities Climate Challenge city, Boston is leading by example and charting a cleaner, healthier future for all," said Jay Orfield, Interim Director of Buildings, Energy & Finance for the American Cities Climate Challenge at NRDC.   PACE offers private building owners access to long-term financing that is paid back through energy savings, similar to the City's Renew Boston Trust program, a performance contract for municipal buildings. There are no savings guarantees involved with PACE, but the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) conducts a technical review of projects to ensure that projected savings will exceed the PACE assessment.   "PACE Massachusetts is a forward-thinking financing tool for energy improvements to commercial and industrial properties," said MassDevelopment President and CEO Lauren Liss. "We are thrilled the City of Boston is pursuing 'opting into' PACE Massachusetts, a key step to enabling local property owners to take advantage of the program, and look forward to supporting projects that create jobs, encourage business growth, and reduce energy consumption."   Legislation signed by Governor Baker in August 2016 and amended in August 2019 directed MassDevelopment, in conjunction with DOER, to create a PACE program. The program officially launched July 28, 2020, with twenty eight municipalities participating to-date. Twenty-three states and the District of Columbia have active commercial PACE programs.    About the Environment Department The City of Boston Environment Department's mission is to enhance the quality of life in Boston by protecting air, water, climate, and land resources, and preserving and improving the integrity of Boston's architectural and historic resources. To learn more, visit the website at boston.gov/environment.   ###

波士頓市長呼籲房東簽署穩定住宅承諾

                (Boston Orange 周菊子綜合報導)波士頓市長馬丁華殊(Martin J. Walsh)今(7)日宣佈推出”穩定住宅承諾(Housing Stability Pledge)”，要求房東遵守聯邦政府的暫緩驅逐令，和房客訂定付款計畫，提供協助資源。

             馬丁華殊並預定於下週一，要求波士頓市議會制定”穩定住宅通知法(Housing Stability Notification Act)”，規定房東在發出”終止租約(Notice to Quit)”通知時，必須同時發給房客一份波士頓市政府印製，有多種語言的”租戶權益及援助資源”說明。

             馬丁華殊表示，州政府因應新型冠狀病毒疫情的全州暫緩驅逐令將於10月17日到期，許多因為新型冠狀病毒大流行而失去收入的人，可能面對著無力繳交房租窘境，他希望房東們能和市政府攜手，避免這樣的情況發生。

             根據市府資料，波士頓市內大約有46,000戶人家可能面對逼遷危險。

目前已有25名房東簽署了這份”穩定住宅承諾”，包括Winn公司，馬隆尼(Maloney)物業，枇杷地(Peabody)物業，三一財務(Trinity Financial)，以及燈塔社區(Beacon Communities)等。

“穩定住宅承諾”要求房東承諾，藉由遵守聯邦政府所宣佈的，直到2020年12月31日前，暫停逼遷那些欠租房客，盡可能地保留租約。除了和房客訂定付款計畫之外，還能幫助房客找到資源，和那些相關補助券的管理者合作，為房客找尋住宅補助券等。

波市府說明，房東簽署這一承諾，並不表示房客可以不付房租。但物業擁有者允諾會和房客互動，了解房客的特殊情況，訂出可行的付款方法，包括展延付款日期，以及允許房客分期攤還等。

若還款計畫不實際，房東可要求和房客一起尋求例如住宅及社區發展局過渡中家庭住宅援助/緊急租金及貸款援助(DHCD RAFT/ERMA)，或是波士頓市租金救濟金(City of Boston Rental Relief Fun)等政府及慈善機構資助的租金援助。

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES HOUSING STABILITY PLEDGE FOR LANDLORDS Landlords who sign the pledge will commit to working with tenants to avoid evictions for unpaid rent due to loss of income during the COVID-19 public health crisis

 

BOSTON - Wednesday, October 7, 2020 - Building on his commitment to keep Bostonians stably housed throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and economic crisis, Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced the Housing Stability Pledge for landlords, which aims to prevent evictions from occurring after the expiration of the statewide moratorium on evictions and foreclosures on October 17. The pledge asks landlords to honor the federal eviction moratorium; create payment plans with and for tenants, help connect tenants with resources; and work with the relevant voucher administrator for tenants with housing vouchers. This pledge will aid tenants who are unable to pay their rent due to loss of income during the COVID-19 public health crisis. Twenty-five landlords have already signed the pledge, including the WinnCompanies, Maloney Properties, the Peabody Properties, Trinity Financial, and the Beacon Communities. "Stable housing is the foundation of economic security for all residents in Boston, and a basic human right," said Mayor Walsh. "By signing this pledge, landlords will agree to work with their tenants to avoid evictions, and I'm grateful to the 25 landlords who have already given their support to this crucial work. I encourage all landlords to join us in providing a helping hand for residents and families who need it most, and continuing our commitment to guiding Boston through this difficult time together."  "Housing stability is critical to public health in the midst of this pandemic and it has always been a mission of WinnCompanies," said Gilbert Winn, CEO of WinnCompanies. "This pledge is an appropriate, important step to help households struggling at a time of severe economic disruption and uncertainty. The pledge also acknowledges the need for reasonable and fair expectations for both owners and tenants. We thank Mayor Walsh for his leadership on this issue."   The Housing Stability Pledge asks that landlords commit to preserving as many tenancies as possible, by honoring the declaration issued by the federal moratorium that protects tenants who are behind in their rent payments from being evicted until December 31, 2020. This moratorium was issued as a matter of public health, and is intended to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The moratorium covers tenants who owe rent, but have not engaged in nuisance or criminal behavior. Signing the declaration does not relieve tenants from the obligation to pay rent.  Property owners signing the pledge promise to engage with tenants, learn about their specific situation, and create a payment plan that works for them. The pledge asks that they use good faith efforts to create and enter into payment plans that are affordable to, and work for, both the tenant and the landlord. It further asks that landlords ensure that tenants can afford the repayment plan and to consider plans that avoid lump sum repayments at the end of the deferral period. The pledge also asks landlords to permit renters with a missed payment to amortize the repayment over time and to strongly consider providing relief from rent-related late fees. In cases where a repayment plan is unrealistic, landlords are asked to work with renters to secure government or philanthropic funded rental assistance, such as  DHCD RAFT/ERMA, or the City of Boston Rental Relief Fund. Landlords should assist renters in accessing these resources and provide any needed documentation in a timely manner. Whenever possible, repayment plans and rental assistance resources should be used in lieu of legal eviction proceedings. In addition to assisting renters in securing rental assistance, the pledge asks that landlord work with the City to advocate for additional State and Federal resources that can be used for rental relief and arrearages.   If a voucher holding family is falling behind on their rent, landlords will work with their tenants and encourage them to contact their caseworker at the Boston Housing Authority, Metro Boston Housing or the relevant voucher administrator to make the necessary rent adjustments as soon as possible. Landlords will remind residents with a Section 8 subsidy that they can have their share of rent adjusted if family income decreases.   "At Madison Park Development Corporation, we build healthy communities. As a leading developer of affordable housing, signing on to this pledge is acknowledging the work we already are doing, but it sends an important message about who we are as a city," said Leslie Reid, Executive Director. " We're pleased to join Mayor Walsh in this effort to make sure that our residents are safe during this pandemic and the winter that is coming."  "Housing stability for all Bostonians is something the City of Boston strives for," said Sheila Dillon,  Chief of Housing and Director of Neighborhood Development. "Stable housing is necessary for maintaining good health, securing employment, and ensuring that children are able to continue their education. During the COVID epidemic, these needs are more critical than ever. With this pledge, property owners and tenants will work together to ensure that everyone can remain safely and stably housed."  The pledge is one of the tools that the City has developed to assist tenants during the global pandemic. Mayor Walsh also filed the "Housing Stability Notification Act" with the Boston City Council on October 5th. This is an ordinance that would ensure Bostonians at risk of eviction know their rights and have access to the resources available to them. The ordinance requires property owners and constables who are serving a Notice to Quit (the first step in the legal process of an eviction) to provide a document containing information on tenant rights and resources available to them when issuing a Notice to Quit or non-renewal of lease. This multilingual document provides information about City and State rental relief funds, guidance on filing a federal declaration of need to potentially protect against eviction, and a list of services such as legal counsel, dispute mediation, fair payment agreements, and other supports.  This ordinance is part of a larger effort by the City to aid residents who may be at risk of eviction. Mayor Walsh has advocated in support of An Act to Ensure Right to Counsel in Eviction Proceedings, a bill at the Massachusetts State House, which would provide any low-income tenant facing eviction with a court-appointed attorney for representation. More than 90 percent of renters who faced eviction in Massachusetts last year had to represent themselves in Housing Court, while 70 percent of landlords had a lawyer, according to testimony presented by the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute.  The Rental Relief Fund will be accepting new applications after the eviction moratorium ends, with up to $4,000 in rental assistance available for eligible tenants. The Rental Relief Fund was established in April 2020 to aid residents who lost their income due to COVID-19 and were unable to pay their rent. The City of Boston dedicated $3 million to the first round of the Fund, and then added an additional $5 million in June. So far, the Fund has distributed more than $3 million in aid covering the rent of more than 900 households.  In addition, the City will contract with Greater Boston Legal Services to add additional attorneys to assist tenants facing eviction. The Office of Housing Stability (OHS) has hired an additional housing court navigator to assist tenants who are beginning the eviction process. These housing court navigators assess the tenant's situation and determine which resources and services would be useful to preserve and stabilize their tenancy, which may include linking them to financial assistance, housing search, and advocacy organizations. This broader social services approach supports overwhelmed tenants and helps them to access financial assistance from the Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) and the Rental Relief Fund. OHS staff will hold multiple weekly virtual clinics for eviction defense following the end of the moratorium. The City has also taken steps to enhance programs to help homeowners, many of whom are small landlords, to meet their own financial obligations, make critical repairs, and stay in their homes. The Boston Home Center (BHC) has partnered with the City of Boston's Tax/Title division to reach out to more than 8,000 homeowners who are past due in property taxes. This multilingual insert directs homeowners at-risk to the BHC's Foreclosure Prevention and Intervention services.  To ensure that homeowners have access to financial assistance for critical home repairs, Mayor Walsh recently announced that the Seniors Save program is increasing grants from $3,500 to $8,000 for the total replacement of a heating system for Bostonians older than 60 who meet income eligibility requirements. Also, the Lead Safe Program is increasing its loan limit from $8,000 to $10,000 per unit as a three-year deferred forgivable loan, and the triple-decker program has been merged with the Homeworks program so that now any three-unit home can be eligible for up to $30,000 in a deferred forgivable loan.

APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR 2021 BOSTON CULTURAL COUNCIL ORGANIZATIONAL GRANTS

 

APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR 2021 BOSTON CULTURAL COUNCIL ORGANIZATIONAL GRANTS

Mayor Martin J. Walsh and the Mayor's Office of Arts and Culture today announced the 2021 applications for Boston Cultural Council organizational grants are now open until November 16, 2020

Mayor Martin J. Walsh and the Mayor's Office of Arts and Culture today announced the 2021 applications for Boston Cultural Council organizational grants are now open until November 16, 2020. Grants are available for organizations that benefit the public by offering arts programming in Boston's neighborhoods. 

"Boston's arts and cultural organizations provide accessible and diverse programs to community members of all ages, in every neighborhood," said Mayor Walsh. "It's an honor to be able to continue to support them through this grant, and acknowledge them for their work to enhance our city."

The Boston Cultural Council (BCC) works under the umbrella of the Mayor's Office of Arts and Culture to annually distribute funds allocated by the City of Boston and the Mass Cultural Council for local arts and culture programming. For the second year in a row, grants will be made only to organizations with annual budgets under $2 million.

Grants available are as follows:

• Organizations with budgets less than $100,000 may apply for a grant of $2,000
• Organizations with budgets between $100,000 and $500,000 may apply for a grant of $3,500
• Organizations with budgets between $500,000 and $2,000,000 may apply for a grant of $5,000

Under a revised grant making approach, organizations may apply for grants up to a set limit, based on their organizational size. The BCC focuses on small to mid-sized organizations that uniquely serve the City's arts ecosystem and prioritize cultural diversity, economic diversity, inclusion, and equity, through both their staffing and audiences served. 

Nonprofit cultural organizations whose missions or programming are focused on music, film and video, traditional and folk art, visual art, theater, dance, humanities, literary arts, performing arts, social/civic practice, and multidisciplinary arts are eligible to apply as long as they are based in the City of Boston, or offer programming in Boston.

BCC members are Boston residents appointed by the Mayor for up to two consecutive three-year terms. Council members are selected on the basis of their demonstrated commitment to Boston's cultural community and their knowledge of various arts disciplines. 

In 2020, $490,000 in Boston Cultural Council grants was awarded to 146 organizations. The BCC received applications from organizations across the entire city, representing a wide variety of artistic disciplines. Here is a complete list of the 2020 grantees.

"BCC funding helped to ensure that even during these challenging times, Company One has been able to keep staff and artists employed with no layoffs or furloughs," said Karthik Subramanian, Managing Director of Company One Theatre, which was named a 2020 Modeling Equity Organization by the Boston Cultural Council.

To better support arts organizations facing financial losses, canceled programming, and closures caused by COVID-19, the City of Boston also established a $1 million Arts and Culture COVID-19 Fund this year. Grants of up to $10,000 wereawarded to 146 small and mid-sized arts and culture nonprofits to adapt their programs, spaces, and operating models. Throughout the COVID-19 public health emergency, the City of Boston in partnership with Boston Center for the Arts (BCA) have also awarded grants totaling over $330,000 to over 600 artists as part of the Boston Artist Relief Fund, which was established to support artists whose creative practices and incomes were adversely impacted by the pandemic.

"Boston's arts organizations have experienced immeasurable hardships this year due to COVID-19, and have still made it a priority to bring opportunities to engage in the arts to everyone in the city," said Kara Elliott-Ortega, Chief of Arts and Culture. "As we think through ways Boston can be more equitable as a whole, it's important to make sure we're supporting these important cultural anchors in our communities."

The deadline to apply for BCC grants is November 16, 2020 at 5 p.m. ET. To learn more about the grants and the application process, visit boston.gov/arts-grants. 

10/6新冠新增確診數 麻州454，全美39,548 新增死亡數 麻州8，全美361

 

MAYOR WALSH FILES ORDINANCE TO EQUIP RESIDENTS FACING EVICTION WITH INFORMATION ON THEIR RIGHTS AND RESOURCES

 

MAYOR WALSH FILES ORDINANCE TO EQUIP RESIDENTS FACING EVICTION WITH INFORMATION ON THEIR RIGHTS AND RESOURCES  New ordinance will require constables to provide information on eviction help

 

BOSTON - Monday, October 5, 2020 - Building on his commitment to keeping residents in the City of Boston stably housed, Mayor Martin J. Walsh today filed the "Housing Stability Notification Act" with the Boston City Council, an ordinance that would ensure Bostonians at risk of eviction know their rights and have access to the resources available to them. The Mayor introduced the ordinance ahead of October 17, when the statewide moratorium on evictions and foreclosures lifts.    "Bostonians need to focus on keeping themselves, their families, and their neighbors healthy and safe during the COVID-19 public health crisis --they do not need the added stress of wondering if they will have a place to live," said Mayor Walsh. "We want Bostonians at risk of eviction to understand that they have rights and protection under the law, and that a Notice to Quit is not an automatic eviction. There are programs and services that can help Bostonians stay stably housed, and we want everyone to utilize them to remain safe." The ordinance requires property owners and constables who are serving a Notice to Quit (the first step in the legal process of an eviction) to provide a document containing information on tenant rights and resources available to them when issuing a Notice to Quit or non-renewal of lease. This multilingual document provides information about City and State rental relief funds, guidance on filing a federal declaration of need to potentially protect against eviction, and a list of services such as legal counsel, dispute mediation, fair payment agreements, and other supports.  The information contained in the document is intended to either prevent an eviction or assist tenants in rehousing quickly and safely if they are evicted. The document must be provided at least 30 days prior to taking action against the tenant. If the landlord fails to follow the ordinance, they can be reported to the Inspectional Services Department for enforcement. Each failure to comply with the ordinance will be considered a separate offense triggering a separate warning or fine.  The new ordinance would also require that when a landlord or foreclosing owner serves the tenant or former homeowners any Notice to Quit or notice of lease nonrenewal, they must at the same time, also serve a copy of the notice to the City of Boston's Office of Housing Stability. The Mayor has consistently advocated for these protections against displacement, including in 2017 when he signed the Jim Brooks Community Stabilization Act, a home rule petition that if law, would have helped protect a residential tenants and former homeowners living in their homes following a foreclosure against arbitrary, unreasonable, discriminatory, or retaliatory evictions, and help ensure that tenants and former homeowners are aware of their rights.  This ordinance is part of a larger effort by the City to aid residents who may be at risk of eviction. Mayor Walsh has advocated in support of An Act to Ensure Right to Counsel in Eviction Proceedings, which would provide any low-income tenant facing eviction with a court-appointed attorney for representation. More than 90 percent of renters who faced eviction in Massachusetts last year had to represent themselves in Housing Court, while 70 percent of landlords had a lawyer, according to testimony presented by the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute.  In addition, the City will contract with Greater Boston Legal Services to add additional attorneys to assist tenants facing eviction. The Office of Housing Stability (OHS) has hired an additional housing court navigator to assist tenants who are beginning the eviction process. These housing court navigators assess the tenant's situation and determine which resources and services would be useful to preserve and stabilize their tenancy, which may include linking them to financial assistance, housing search, and advocacy organizations. This broader social services approach supports overwhelmed tenants and helps them to access financial assistance from the Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) and the Rental Relief Fund. OHS staff will hold multiple weekly virtual clinics for eviction defense following the end of the moratorium. The Rental Relief Fund will be accepting new applications after the eviction moratorium ends, with up to $4,000 in rental assistance available for eligible tenants. The Rental Relief Fund was established in April 2020 to aid residents who lost their income due to COVID-19 and were unable to pay their rent.  The City of Boston dedicated $3 million to the first round of the Fund, and then added an additional $5 million in June. So far, the Fund has distributed more than $3 million in aid covering the rent of more than 900 households. This payment goes directly to the landlords. The City has also taken steps to enhance programs to help homeowners, many of whom are small landlords, to meet their own financial obligations, make critical repairs, and stay in their homes. The Boston Home Center (BHC) has partnered with the City of Boston's Tax/Title division to reach out to more than 8,000 homeowners who are past due in property taxes. This multilingual insert directs homeowners at-risk to the BHC's Foreclosure Prevention and Intervention services.  This direct outreach supplements the City of Boston's work in working with banks and mortgage lenders to provide at least three months in a loan deferment for homeowners, with the option to extend for longer periods, if needed.  Currently, 17 banks and mortgage lenders have signed on to the goal of approving deferments within 21 days of application and with only essential paperwork needed from the homeowner. The lenders will not report this deferment as a bad loan, nor report it to the credit bureaus as being a late loan. They will not charge late fees on the late loan payments or deferments. Once the deferment period is complete, the homeowner is not required to pay the total deferment/forbearance amount in a lump sum.    Additionally, to ensure that homeowners have access to financial assistance for critical home repairs, Mayor Walsh recently announced that the Seniors Save program is increasing grants from $3,500 to $8,000 for the total replacement of a heating system for Bostonians older than 60 who meet income eligibility requirements. Also, the Lead Safe Program is increasing its loan limit from $8,000 to $10,000 per unit as a three-year deferred forgivable loan, and the triple-decker program has been merged with the Homeworks program so that now any three-unit home can be eligible for up to $30,000 in a deferred forgivable loan.  Although the Massachusetts moratorium on evictions and foreclosures is ending on October 17, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a federal eviction moratorium intended to prevent the further spread of COVID-19. The order, ending on December 31, 2020, prevents the evictions of people who lost work as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. In order to be covered by the CDC moratorium, tenants are required to sign and submit a declaration to their landlord stating that they qualify for protection under the moratorium. The City of Boston has translated this declaration into 11 languages, and posted it on the Office of Housing Stability website so eligible tenants can sign it and send it to their landlord.

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES CORI-FRIENDLY VIRTUAL JOB FAIR AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS SERIES

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES CORI-FRIENDLY VIRTUAL JOB FAIR AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS SERIES  Job fair hosted in partnership with MassHire Downtown Boston Career Center and the Suffolk County Sheriff's Department  BOSTON - Monday, October 5, 2020 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh, the Mayor's Office of Workforce Development, and the Mayor's Office of Public Safety today announced a series of virtual events to help residents impacted by criminal records (CORIs) gain access to career development resources and CORI-friendly job opportunities. The events will be hosted in partnership with MassHire Downtown Boston Career Center  and the Suffolk County Sheriff's Department, and are facilitated through Project Opportunity, the City of Boston's pilot initiative to help residents seal, expunge, and manage their CORIs to gain access to better jobs, housing, and educational opportunities.  "One goal of Project Opportunity is to connect residents impacted by CORIs with job training programs and employment opportunities," said Mayor Walsh. "The best job candidate is a prepared candidate, so I want to encourage our CORI-impacted residents to participate in these workshops, ask questions, and use these resources to achieve a better future." Each of the three workshops will focus on a key skill to increase employability, such as how to create a resume and interview basics. The series will end with a virtual job fair where participants will have an opportunity to share their resumes with CORI-friendly employers. The events are free and open to the public, but require registration. The events include:  Why and How to Create a Resume on Tuesday, October 6 from 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM: Learn the purpose of a resume, understand how it's used, and start to organize your work history into a basic resume format. Sample resumes will be shared, too! Click here to register.  Interview Basics on Tuesday, October 13 from 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM: Be prepared and confident for your next job interview! Learn about types of interviews, interview etiquette, proper responses, and "end of interview" strategies. Click here to register.  Virtual Job Fair Prep from Tuesday, October 20 from 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM: Learn all of the key factors to making a good impression before, during, and after the virtual job fair. Click here to register.  Virtual Job Fair on Tuesday, October 27 from 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM: Learn about job openings with local CORI-friendly employers and submit your resume to employers that interest you. Click here to register.  Participating employers include Brigham & Women's Hospital, Newmarket Business Association, and Surge Employment Solutions. For more information on employers, please visit here. These events are held in partnership with the Suffolk County's Sheriff's Office and MassHire Downtown Boston Career Center, which is under the oversight of the Mayor's Office of Workforce Development. "Sustainable employment is one of the most important ingredients to anyone's success, but it is absolutely crucial for people returning to society post-incarceration," said Suffolk County Sheriff Steven W. Tompkins. "Finding jobs that are CORI-friendly can be a daunting challenge, in addition to some of the other obstacles that returning citizens face upon reentry, and events like this one can play a significant role, both in helping to reduce recidivism and contributing to a safer and more vibrant community." "We celebrate employers who see talent and not just a CORI. As a Career Center, we're pleased to partner with Mayor Walsh and his team in the effort to connect employers with talent and job seekers with tools, services, and connections to achieve meaningful and sustained employment," said Doreen Tracey, Vice President of Career Services at MassHire Downtown Boston Career Center.  Since launching in July, Project Opportunity has held 11 CORI sealing and expungement training clinics, serving over 190 residents, and has held virtual panels convening experts to discuss different topics that highlight the challenges and solutions for people with CORIS. Led by the Mayor's Office of Workforce Development and the Mayor's Office of Public Safety, Project Opportunity draws on the collaborative expertise of various City departments and external partners to provide residents impacted by CORIs with the necessary legal and support services. These services include connecting residents with free legal consultation to determine if their CORIs are eligible for sealing or expungement, covering the filing costs for sealing or expungement, and connecting residents with employment opportunities, job training, and related services. In 2017, Mayor Walsh launched the City's Office of Returning Citizens as part of the Office of Public Safety to support the nearly 3,000 individuals who return to Boston after being released from state, federal and county facilities each year, as well as others who were previously incarcerated. Mayor Walsh created the Office of Public Safety in 2014 with the mandate of establishing cross-agency and cabinet coordination to tackle the challenging and complex problems in our neighborhoods that lead to and perpetuate violence.