AG HEALEY JOINS STATES IN URGING U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO FORGIVE LOANS OF CERTAIN ITT TECH STUDENTS

 AG HEALEY JOINS STATES IN URGING U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO FORGIVE LOANS OF CERTAIN ITT TECH STUDENTS

BOSTON—Attorney General Maura Healey today urged the U.S. Department of Education to cancel the federal student loan debt of certain students who attended ITT Technical Institute (“ITT Tech”). The now defunct for-profit school defrauded thousands of individuals by encouraging them to enroll and take out loans based on false and misleading information about the value of an ITT Tech degree and empty promises of high-paying jobs after graduation.

The borrower defense application submitted today by a bipartisan coalition of 24 states and the District of Columbia requests federal loan discharges for students who enrolled at ITT Tech between 2007 and 2010, a period in which the school regularly used a deceptive chart concerning future potential earnings to convince students to attend and borrow federal student aid. ITT Tech’s widespread and pervasive misrepresentation concerning job prospects and future potential earnings violated state consumer protection laws.

Federal law permits the U.S. Department of Education to forgive federal student loans when borrowers are deceived by schools. The attorneys general are demanding full relief for ITT Tech students, including refunds of their loan payments.

“ITT Tech induced students to enroll in its costly programs based on deceptive earnings prospects, leaving students and their families with crushing debts they can’t afford to pay,” said AG Healey. “Borrowers across the country were swindled by this school and deserve relief. We call on the Department of Education to cancel their loans, so they no longer have to shoulder this unfair debt burden.”

Based on a 2012 congressional report, ITT Tech enrolled roughly 282,000 students across the country between 2007 and 2010. During this period, the school regularly showed prospective students a document entitled “Value Proposition for Employed Graduates,” in an effort to persuade students that the value of an ITT Tech education was worth its high cost, and that students should take out tens of thousands of dollars in loans to attend. 

However, an analysis of the “Value Proposition” chart (Figure 1) revealed that ITT Tech misrepresented the value of its education, claiming it would be substantial, and that its students would get high-paying jobs upon graduation with a constant rate of earning growth. ITT Tech’s Value Proposition chart showed a projected annual salary over an estimated work life, misrepresenting the projected annual earnings for ITT graduates at $100,000 more than the average earnings of workers with the same credentials.

In addition to Massachusetts, the application is signed by the Attorneys General of Colorado, Connecticut, Oregon, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.

Handling the matter for Massachusetts is Assistant Attorney General Diana Hooley of AG Healey’s Insurance & Financial Services Division. 

波市府宣佈食物卡車日程及戶外小企業支援

MAYOR KIM JANEY ANNOUNCES 2021 FOOD TRUCK SCHEDULE AND ADDITIONAL OUTDOOR SMALL BUSINESS SUPPORT

BOSTON - Thursday, April 1, 2021 - Mayor Kim Janey today announced the launch of the 2021 Food Truck and Outdoor Dining Season and additional resources to support Boston’s small businesses. The 2021 Food Truck Lottery was held virtually on Wednesday, March 10, 2021 by the Office of Economic Development. Thirty food trucks participated and are ready to vend across the City in different locations and neighborhoods. Due to the hardships brought on by COVID-19 and recognizing how valuable small businesses are to Boston’s local vibrancy and economy, the City of Boston waived all public site fees for 2021. To view a full map of where the food truck will be located, please visit: boston.gov/food-trucks  "We must continue our commitment to supporting Boston’s small businesses, and I’m thrilled to be announcing these additional supports for small businesses across our neighborhoods," said Mayor Janey "By leveraging our public space, businesses like retail stores, restaurants, and food trucks can thrive and create more vibrancy in our neighborhoods for our residents.”  Business Extensions to Public Space Due to the continued impacts of COVID-19, the City of Boston will temporarily allow retail businesses in neighborhood commercial districts to place a moveable table onto the public sidewalk for the purpose of facilitating outdoor transactions and will temporarily allow private fitness classes on City-owned parks for 2021. This extension supports businesses’ efforts to keep a safe and healthy environment for their staff and customers by limiting access to a confined indoor space.  In addition, today officially marks the launch of the 2021 Citywide Outdoor Dining Pilot Program, as the North End joins other neighborhoods throughout Boston in beginning outdoor dining. The 2021 Outdoor Dining Pilot Program will continue many of the successful initiatives from the 2020 program, such as streamlined permitting and outdoor patios on roadways that enable restaurants with narrow sidewalks to offer patio seating to patrons, while offering new features based on community feedback. Outdoor Retail Extensions: To find out more information and apply, please visit: https://www.boston.gov/news/temporary-policy-retail-extensions-sidewalks.  To submit a request to use the retail extension, please click here: https://forms.gle/3m9wyTQvjEx1aNMq8 Outdoor Fitness: To find out more information and apply, please visit: https://www.boston.gov/news/covid-19-reopening-guidance-outdoor-fitness  Outdoor Dining: A map of permitted restaurants is available on the webpage below. The City of Boston is still accepting applications for outdoor dining on both public and private property. To find out more information and apply, please visit: https://www.boston.gov/2021outdoordining “Due to the pandemic, Boston small business owners have had to be creative and adapt to an ever-changing landscape, and we at the City of Boston need to match their creativity and do what we can to support them during this difficult time,” said Midori Morikawa, Interim Chief of Economic Development. “I am proud of the cross-departmental collaboration that has gone into our COVID-19 response and I look forward to continuing these types of innovative initiatives.”   As business owners, employers, and employees navigate an evolving reopening process and COVID-19-related assistance, the City of Boston created and maintains a "Reopening Boston" webpage, which includes industry-specific guidance and requirements, resources, and tools, and more information on available City services. The City of Boston has created a number of useful guides and resources for small businesses impacted by COVID-19, including a new platform to list local businesses that are producing or selling PPE and cleaning supplies, Open Businesses in Boston, and Support Boston Restaurants. These platforms have helped businesses to publicly share that they are open and direct residents to support local establishments. To assist businesses in industries impacted most by COVID-19, the City of Boston has launched five Small Business Relief Funds, which to date have issued more than $16 million in debt-free grants to nearly 4,000 small businesses in every neighborhood in order to address PPE needs, overdue rent, fixed debts, payroll, lost sales, lost opportunities, and other working capital expenses.  For all coronavirus updates from the City of Boston, please visit boston.gov/coronavirus.

 

疫情數據彰顯疫苗效率 查理貝克籲民眾節日仍應注意防疫

麻州州長查理貝克呼籲民眾，節慶日也要謹慎防範病毒。

            (Boston Orange 周菊子麻州報導)麻州州長查理貝克(Charlie Baker)4月1日到雀喜市(Chelsea)視察由東波士頓鄰里健康中心營運的疫苗注射站，以州內40歲以下人群染患新冠病毒反而較高的數據，例證新冠疫苗的有效性，鼓勵仍然抱持猶豫的人們接種疫苗。

                  查理貝克提醒民眾，雖然4月4日復活節等節日在即，但鑑於去年感恩節，聖誕節後感染率就高漲，希望民眾能記取教訓，保持戒慎心態，就算家人相聚，也要謹記保持安全距離，不要共用餐餚，飲料。

               查理貝克表示，包括只需要施打一劑的J&J疫苗在內，麻州內已有230萬人施打了第一劑新冠疫苗。至少130萬人已完整的接種了新冠疫苗。在美國人口500萬以上的24州中，以完成施打第一劑新冠疫苗的比率排名，麻州以連續數週排名第四。

Marylou Sudder說明聯邦經費支持的PEBT項目，擴及96,000名6歲
以下兒童。

在麻州內，目前染患新冠病毒比率最高的年齡層，反而是40歲以下人群，70歲以上人群的染患率急遽下降，可見接種疫苗的功效。

               麻州在推廣疫苗接種上，目前仍以雀喜市等受疫情打擊最嚴重的20個社區為重心，包括斥資6500萬元辦理食物安全項目，保護人們免於飢餓。為防止新冠病毒散佈，還在19個新冠病毒檢測站，為無症狀者提供免費檢測。雀喜市的4個新冠病毒檢測站中，就有1個免費的停止散佈病毒檢測站。州政府也與地方組織合作，提供多語服務。

               本週稍早，查理貝克去參觀了海恩斯(Hynes)會展中心的大型新冠疫苗注射站，藉以強調麻州和聯邦政府緊急管理局(FEMA)的合作，每天可為麻州增加6000劑疫苗。

               下星期，麻州政府將和地方市鎮合作，在雀喜市，瑞維爾(Revere)，波士頓市，秋河市(Fall River)，以及新貝福市(New Bedford)，這些聯邦疾病防治中心(CDC)辨識為最受打擊的市鎮，推出流動疫苗注射站，在實施這做法的八週左右，以不方便出門人士為主要對象，每天各施打500劑疫苗。

               麻州政府也將投資2000萬元，協助州內受新冠病毒疫情打擊最嚴重的20各社區，減少注射疫苗的障礙，致力公平的分發，注射疫苗。

               麻州公共衛生廳將直接撥發470萬元給那20個地方市鎮政府及衛生局，支援他們增加人力及醫療基礎設施。雀喜市將從這筆補助款中獲得15萬元。未來數週，麻州政府還將從平等計畫的3000萬元款項中撥發更多補助。

               麻州健康及人民服務長Marylou Sudder表示，經由州政府認證為少數族裔及婦女經營的Archipelago策略集團，下週起，將有200名從地方聘用的社區組織，在前述那20個社區舉辦83場外展活動，包括打電話或上門拜訪等，消解人們的猶豫，鼓勵接種新冠病毒疫苗。

               根據麻州公共衛生廳數據，3月30日這天，麻州有2,252宗新冠病毒確診個案，累計598,177宗，目前染患新冠病毒的人數約為31,911。36人死亡，累計16,844人。住院人數690人，其中169人住在重症病房，93人插管。這天有115,453人做了新冠病毒的分子檢測。

波士頓市長:四月慶祝全國詩歌月

Boston Mayor Kim Janey MAYOR JANEY ANNOUNCES CELEBRATION OF NATIONAL POETRY MONTH All events will be conducted in accordance with COVID-19 public health guidance  BOSTON - Thursday, April 1, 2021 - Mayor Kim Janey today announced the City of Boston’s celebrations to commemorate National Poetry Month throughout the month of April. During the 30-day celebration of the many forms of poetry, Boston will also be highlighting the importance of the arts sector in fostering the city’s economic, civic, and cultural recovery.    “Art allows us to express ourselves creatively, see new perspectives, and unite communities,” said Mayor Janey. “As we continue to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, the arts are an important part of healing. I look forward to celebrating this entire month with all Bostonians.” The City of Boston is leading several events and initiatives as part of National Poetry Month, including the annual Mayor’s Poetry Program reading happening virtually on April 21. For this event, several Boston-based poets will join Boston Poet Laureate Porsha Olayiwola in reading original poems that were selected to be displayed in Boston City Hall this year. Porsha Olayiwola is also leading the HOME Poetry Series during the first weekend of each month, which consists of a free virtual workshop and open mic. This series will culminate with the inaugural Roxbury Poetry Festival on June 5, 2021. All in-person events for the festival will be conducted in accordance with COVID-19 public health guidance. Boston Youth Poet Laureate Alondra Bobadilla will also be hosting a virtual poetry workshop for teens in partnership with the Boston Public Library on April 3. “Audre Lorde states Poetry is not a luxury. I agree. Poetry is a necessity,” said Porsha Olayiwola, Poet Laureate for the City of Boston. “It is essential in fostering conversations, in articulating the world we wish to see, in elevating voices that have gone unheard. I am looking forward to sharing my own work with the people of Boston and to seeing the creativity and vast ideas community members bring to the forefront.” The Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture will also be highlighting a local poet every day on social media. Porsha Olayiwola has also curated a list of 30 writing prompts that individuals can use to inspire their own poems throughout the month. “Poetry and narrative play an important role in our city’s history and help us express and process the current moment,” said Kara Elliott-Ortega, Chief of Arts and Culture. “We encourage everyone to connect with Boston’s strong poetry community this month and to explore your own creativity by trying some writing of your own.” More information about the events and programs happening during National Poetry Month can be found at boston.gov/poetry.

 

推動種族平等 促進經濟發展 美國銀行公益投資承諾增至12.5億美元

推動種族平等 促進經濟發展 美國銀行公益投資承諾增至12.5億美元

增加的投資將用於提倡種族正義，支持亞裔社區

北卡羅來納州夏洛特 – 美國銀行（Bank of America）今日宣布將加碼公益投資，以推動種族平等、增加經濟機會，承諾的公益投資總額將從四年10億美元增加至五年12.5億美元。美國銀行盼能透過實際行動和投資，深化現有的倡導種族平等的運動，並身體力行鼓勵其他企業也參與進來，做出類似的承諾。

最初，美國銀行於2020年6月宣布將於四年內投資10億美元的計劃。直至今日，本行已在包括健康、就業/培訓、可負擔住房和小型企業等重點領域投入超過3.5億美元。 今日宣布加碼的資金將擴大投資範圍，以化解種族歧視以及提倡少數族裔社區平等問題，這其中也包括亞裔社區。

美國銀行首席執行長布萊恩·莫伊尼漢（音譯，Brian Moynihan）表示：「針對亞裔族群的攻擊和仇恨言論在過去一年不斷增長，解決長期存在的包容性和種族不平等問題是當務之急。所有公私營機構也清楚地意識到我們必須在此議題上做出更多努力，採取行動並匯集各界力量，以廣泛且團結地應對我們國家正在面臨的關鍵問題。」

另外，美國銀行更承諾立即投入100萬美元的資金，以支持在亞裔社區中進行的宣傳、對話以及互動等相關行動。此次擴大的五年計劃中也將規劃後續更多的投資內容。

以下是美國銀行為加快并扩展現有工作而採取的行動：

• 向亞美公義促進中心（Advancing Justice）進行捐助，以協助非營利組織推動公民權利、提高旁觀者干預 (bystander intervention)的意識、進行多語言倡議，並提供社會服務援助和法律支持等。這筆資金將扶助亞美公義促進中心位於亞特蘭大、華盛頓特區、洛杉磯、舊金山及芝加哥的五個分部。

• 亞美公義促進中心的首席執行長康妮·喬（Connie Chung Joe）將加入美國銀行全國社區諮詢委員會（National Community Advisory Council），以維持與亞裔社區相關人士的對話和互動，並著手解決性別及種族平等問題。該委員會成員與美國銀行負責公司政策、公司實踐方法和產品部門的領導者保有密切交流，能確保員工、客戶和地方社區獲得支持。

• 進一步支持全國亞太裔美國人社區發展聯盟 （The National Coalition for Asian Pacific American Community Development）以及領袖聯盟教育基金（The Leadership Conference Education Fund）。這兩家組織致力於透過以社區為本的工作來加強地方社區資源、宣導和培育。

• 透過發起美國銀行員工禮物對等捐贈計劃（Matching gift program），來提升慈善活動的支持力度。該行員工可以選擇對等捐贈給上述三家非盈利機構，並且可以選擇其他機構進行捐贈。同時，美國銀行決定在接下來的90天內將對等捐贈的最低

金額降至

1美元，以擴大對全美各地的亞裔社區的支持力度。

美國銀行副董事長阮桐（Thong Nguyen，音譯）說道：「最近發生在亞特蘭大的槍擊案，提醒我們一定要團結起來反對所有歧視、仇恨言論和暴力行為。我們絕不容忍任何形式的種族歧視。今天的承諾是建立在美國銀行長年致力於促進社會包容性，幫助實現種族平權的努力基礎之上的。」

康妮·喬則說道：「過去一年，我們目睹了越來越多針對亞裔的種族歧視和暴力事件，可見我們迫切需要方針和資源與之抗衡，並且應該在文化上投入適當的心理健康和受害者援助資源。我們期待與美國銀行和其他全美倡議領袖共同努力，推進種族平權，為每一位美國民眾創造平等機會。」

美國銀行為推進種族平權不懈努力，包括參與商業圓桌會議（Business Roundtable）的最新計劃，目標在今後幾年致力於加強平權、促進多元化並改善公司文化。美國銀行也和史密森尼學會（Smithsonian Institution）一起合作，資助他們的「我們共同的未來：回顧種族歷史」（Our Shared Future: Reckoning with our Racial Past）項目。

美國銀行內部的全球多元與包容委員會（Global Diversity & Inclusion Council）則由來自全球各地的公司高管所構成，過去10幾年一直由首席執行長莫伊尼漢帶領。美國銀行還透過11個員工網絡和地方分支機構與員工交流，並給他們提供支持，當中包括擁有1萬1千名成員的亞裔領袖網絡（Asian Leadership Network）。

拓展視野是美國銀行推行其包容文化的重要一環。過去十年，公司舉辦了數千場場與員工、外部合作夥伴和社區成員的積極對話活動，培養他們的意識、加強包容和理解。近期的幾場活動就包括了該行亞裔領袖網絡舉辦的活動，主要探討種族團結性以及如何應對最近美國各種族之間的關係，特別是美籍亞裔和黑人/非裔社區之間關係。

美國銀行自2020年起累積的3億5千萬美元貢獻包括：

• 對12個少數族裔存託機構（MDI）和社區發展金融機構（CDFI）進行股權資本投資，為成千上萬本不符合傳統借貸機構條件的小型企業和個人提供貸款、住房、社區重建及其他金融服務，其中包括對亞裔存託機構中央銀行（Central Bank）的新投資。

• 對61個專注於少數族裔和女性創業的私募股權基金投資1億8千8百萬美元，以幫助他們增長資本，以及解決一直以來在融資渠道方面的種族和性別差距。

• 共同創立史密森尼學會的「我們共同的未來：回顧種族歷史」，探討美國人如何理解、面對以及對抗種族問題。

• 向全美和各地非營利組織提供超過2千2百萬美元的撥款，支持勞動力發展、創業培訓、健康項目和其他緊急用途。

• 與21所高等教育機構和大型雇主合作，以提高和培訓非裔和西裔拉丁裔學生的能力及新技能 。

• 投入超過1千3百萬美元的款項支持遭新冠疫情重挫的原住民社區 。

• 為康乃爾大學（Cornell）美國銀行女性創業者研究所（Institute for Women’s Entrepreneurship）的5萬名女性創業者提供更多機會 。

• 向全美弱勢社區發放2千5百萬個口罩。

直至2025年，美國銀行承諾將在可負擔住房方面投資150億美元，這是原先承諾金額的三倍。同時，該行將發放20億美元的「平等永續發展債券」（Equality Progress Sustainability Bond），旨在促進種族平等、經濟發展和環境永續。此外，2020年美國銀行提供61億7千萬美元的可負擔住房和經濟發展款項，用於幫助在全美建設穩健可持續的社區。(美國銀行新聞稿)

Bank of America Increases Commitment to Advance Racial Equality and Economic Opportunity to $1.25 Billion

Expansion will include actions to address racial justice and advocacy for people of Asian descent

March 30, 2021 at 11:00 AM Eastern

Bank of America today announced that it has increased its $1 billion, four-year commitment to advance racial equality and economic opportunity to $1.25 billion over five years. This effort further accelerates work already underway to address racial equality and opportunity through direct actions, investments and work to catalyze similar efforts across the private sector.

To date, the company has made more than $350 million in various investments from its initial $1 billion four-year commitment, announced in June 2020, across its primary focus areas of health, jobs/reskilling, affordable housing and small business. Additional funds announced today will further support investments to address racial justice, advocacy and equality for people and communities of color, including those of Asian descent. 

“The urgency we feel to address long-standing issues of inclusion and racial inequality has only increased following the attacks and hate speech directed at Asian people over the last year,” said Bank of America Chairman and CEO Brian Moynihan. “Across the public and private sectors, it is clear that we must do more – to take action, help others convene, and serve as a catalyst for a broad-based, collective response to the critical issues affecting our nation.”

The bank also announced an immediate $1 million commitment and related actions in support of increased advocacy, dialogue and engagement with the Asian American community. Further investments will be identified as part of the company’s expanded five-year effort. 

Immediate actions taken to help accelerate and expand pre-existing work include:

• A grant to the Asian Americans Advancing Justice (Advancing Justice) organization to advance the nonprofit’s work to promote civil rights, bystander intervention, in-language advocacy, social services assistance and legal support. This funding supports five Asian Americans Advancing Justice affiliates based in Atlanta, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco and Chicago.
• The addition of Connie Chung Joe, chief executive officer of Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Los Angeles, to serve as a member of Bank of America’s National Community Advisory Council (NCAC), in support of ongoing dialogue and stakeholder engagement with the Asian community in the U.S., and on broad issues of gender and racial equality. Members of the NCAC engage with leaders on Bank of America’s business policies, practices and products in support of employees, clients and local communities.
• Additional support for the National Coalition for Asian Pacific American Community Development (National CAPACD) and The Leadership Conference Education Fund as the two organizations work to advance local community advocacy, training, and resources through community-based efforts.
• Increased philanthropic support through Bank of America’s employee matching gift program. Bank of America employees can double their charitable donations to these three nonprofits and select others; the company’s matching gift minimum has been lowered to $1 for the next 90 days, to expand the impact of their support to the Asian community in the U.S.

“The rising number of attacks against Asian people, including the tragic shootings in Atlanta recently, have served as a stark reminder that we must stand united against discrimination, hate speech and violence,” said Thong Nguyen, vice chairman at Bank of America. “We will not tolerate acts of racism in any form. Today’s commitment builds upon Bank of America’s many years of work in support of inclusion and racial equality.”

“Over the past year, we’ve witnessed increased racism and violence against Asian Americans, underlining the significant need for tools and resources to combat these, as well as a need for culturally specific mental health and victim support resources,” said Chung Joe. “We look forward to working with Bank of America and other national advocacy leaders to advance racial equity and create opportunities for all Americans.”

Bank of America’s work to address racial equity includes participation in the Business Roundtable’s new, multi-year effort to improve equity, diversity and workplace culture, and the bank’s partnership with the Smithsonian Institution in support of its “Our Shared Future: Reckoning with our Racial Past” initiative.

Within the company, Bank of America’s Global Diversity & Inclusion Council includes senior executives from around the world and has been led by Moynihan for more than a decade. The company also connects and supports employees through 11 employee networks and local chapters, including the Asian Leadership Network with more than 11,000 members.

Expanding perspectives is a critical aspect of how Bank of America drives a culture of inclusion. Over the last decade, the company has hosted thousands of courageous conversations with employees, external partners and members of the community to cultivate awareness, inclusion and understanding. Sessions held recently include an event hosted by Bank of America’s Asian Leadership Network regarding allyship to address the current climate of race relations in America, particularly in the Asian and Black/African American communities.

Bank of America’s $350 million in commitments since June 2020 include:

• Equity capital investments in 12 minority depository institutions (MDIs) and community development financial institutions (CDFIs) to provide lending, housing, neighborhood revitalization and other banking services to thousands of individuals and small businesses that do not qualify through traditional lenders. This includes a new investment in Central Bank, an Asian American MDI.
• $188 million of investment in 61 private equity funds focused on minority and women entrepreneurs to address the persistent gap in access to growth capital for minority-led businesses.
• Founding partner of the Smithsonian’s “Our Shared Future: Reckoning with Our Racial Past” initiative exploring how Americans understand, experience and confront race.
• More than $22 million in grants to national and local nonprofits supporting workforce development, entrepreneurship, health and emergency needs.
• Partnerships with 21 higher education institutions and major employers to enhance up-skilling and re-skilling for Black and Hispanic-Latino students.
• More than $13 million committed to Native American Communities hardest hit by the coronavirus.
• Expanded opportunities for 50,000 women entrepreneurs at the Bank of America Institute for Women’s Entrepreneurship at Cornell.
• Distribution of 25 million masks to underserved communities across the U.S.

Bank of America also recently tripled its affordable homeownership commitment to $15 billion through 2025 and issued a $2 billion Equality Progress Sustainability Bond designed to advance racial equality, economic opportunity and environmental sustainability. In 2020, the company provided $6.17 billion in affordable housing and economic development financing to help build strong, sustainable communities across the U.S.(From BOA)

2018年溫徹斯特華男刺死女學生案 法官稱精神有病判他無罪

             (Boston Orange 編譯) 2018年在溫徹斯特(Winchester)公共圖書館發生，一名女子被刺20多刀身亡，試圖救她的77歲老先生也被劃傷的駭人聽聞案件，米斗塞郡高等法院法官Kathe Tuttman宣判，嫌犯Jefffrey Y. Yao精神不正常，無罪。

             法官Kathe Tuttman聽取了米斗塞郡檢察官Marian T. Ryan辦公室，以及辯護律師J. W. Carney Jr.的陳述，稱三名醫療專家做檢查後，都得出同樣結論，Jefffrey Y. Yao在2018年2月24日犯案時，有精神病，無法為他所犯罪行負責。

             Alison Fife醫生說，Yao的行動看起來是有組織，有預謀的，但是那和現實完全脫節。Yao動手刺殺是在反擊他腦袋中的聲音。

             星期三時就27歲了的Yao被控一級謀殺罪，一旦定罪，將面對終身監禁，不得保釋的結果。但法官Tuttman認為由於精神病，Yao對他自己和公眾都危險，根據州法判決送他進水橋州立醫院。

             22歲，當時還是醫學院學生的Deane Stryker被刺20多刀身亡，死時背上還插著刀。她母親Michal Kenny向法院呈交了一份受害者影響報告，但法院並未公開這份報告。他們的律師Ann M. Donovan表示，受害人家屬不會就此判決表示意見，並希望外界在這困難時刻，尊重他們的隱私。

法官Tuttman對Yao說，他將留在醫院內，直到醫生認為他不再是個危險人物為止。法官說Yao有權每年評估一次，但他可能一輩子都得留在由懲教署經營，安全標準和中級安全程度監獄一樣的醫院。

Yao來自北京，在溫徹斯特長大，上溫徹斯特高中時，被診斷出有精神分裂症，在2013年到2018年間住院六次，治療精神病。專家說他的病症有聽力幻覺，以及偏執思維。

麻州下星期可拿到10萬多劑J&J疫苗

麻州州長查理貝克(Charlie Baker)。

             (Boston Orange)麻州州長查理貝克(Charlie Baker)今(31)早在昆士市的活動中表示，聯邦政府將於下週拿到100萬劑強生(J&J)新冠病毒疫苗，估計麻州可分到10萬多劑。

                查理貝克今早到昆士市是為宣佈州政府「住宅選擇(Housing Choice)」項目中的2000萬元，將撥400萬元給昆士市，協助建造房屋，安置無家可歸者。

             查理貝克說，聯邦人員告訴他，將分發1000萬劑強生(J&J)疫苗給全美各州，其中500萬劑發給政府的零售藥店計畫，500萬劑交給各州政府支配。麻州至少會得到10萬多劑強生疫苗。他認為此舉意義重大，因為強生疫苗只須施打一劑，等2星期就生效了。輝瑞(Pfizer)和莫德納(Moderna)疫苗各需施打兩劑，總共得等6星期，才能當作疫苗接種完畢，時效優劣不言可見。

             從麻州開始為州內410萬名成人注射疫苗到現在，包括三種不同疫苗在內，麻州政府總共已收到406萬3570劑疫苗。在麻州週二公布的數據中，麻州已施打348萬3,277劑疫苗，其中有85,520劑是J&J疫苗。

             下週一時，年滿55歲，或是有一種以上病症的人將有資格接種疫苗，到4月19日時，所有16歲以上人將都可以注射疫苗。

麻州政府2000萬元住宅建造補助款 昆士市得400萬

昆士市長柯奇(Tom Koch)表示將要蓋新的昆士市警察局。

              (Boston Orange 周菊子麻州綜合報導)麻州州長查理貝(Charlie Baker)3月31日在昆士市宣佈，「住宅選擇計畫(Housing Choice Initiative」將撥500萬元給28個社區。麻州政府住宅及社區發展廳將共撥款400萬元支持昆士市的「比爾神父之家(Father Bill's & Main Spring)」。

麻州長透露聯邦政府將發出500萬劑強生疫苗，麻州估計可得到
數以十萬計的強生疫苗。

         麻州州長查理貝克，副州長白莉朵(Karyn Polito)，麻州住宅及經濟發展長(Secretary of Housing and Economic Development) Mike Kennealy，以及轄區包括昆士市的麻州眾議會議長Ronald Mariano，麻州參議員John Keenan，昆士市市長柯奇(Tom Koch)等人聯袂出席記者會，宣佈共撥發430萬元給19個社區，71萬7761元給人口7000以下的9個小城，以及14個社區獲選列入「住宅選擇」計畫，其中6個社區為重新獲選列入，8個社區新獲選。麻州「住宅選擇」計畫，如今包括昆士市在內，共有78個社區。

             昆士市的「比爾神父之家(Father Bill's & Main Spring)」遷至原址對街，重建為包括100個流浪漢床位，以及住宅單位的發展計劃，將經由麻州政府的「住宅選擇」計畫，以及住宅及經濟發展廳(DHCD)的支持性住宅獎助等項目，共獲得400萬元補助。

             查理貝克表示，麻州內房屋昂貴的原因之一，就是因為建造量、供應量不足，市面住宅短缺。他上任以來一直致力改善這一現象。麻州政府指出，查理貝克在2017年推出，2021年1月簽署成法的「住宅選擇」計畫，為市鎮提供技術及經費援助，預定到2025年時，為麻州增加13萬5000個住宅單位。

             麻州政府在一份新聞稿中稱，從2015年開始，麻州政府已斥資超過14億元建造可負擔住宅，以致少建成或保護了2萬個住宅單位，其中包括18,000個可負擔住宅。2018年查理貝克還簽署了18億元，這歷年來金額最高的住宅債券法案，用於建造及保留可負擔住宅。今年查理貝克又簽署了名為「促進成長合作法(An Act Enabling Partnerships for Growth)」的經濟發展法案，並經由「麻州工作基礎架構項目(MassWorks Infrastructue Program)」，支持建造17,000個綜合收入住宅單位等等。

             「比爾神父之家(Father Bill's & Main Spring)」原本座落在昆士市Broad街38號。位於該址的樓宇將夷為平地，已建造新的昆士市警察局及公安大樓。，「比爾神父之家」將遷進對街的2棟新大樓內。其中將先建造的那一棟大樓，會有可辦各項培訓活動的日間中心，以及緊急庇護所，醫療門診等。

             另一棟將在第二階段施工的大樓，會有30個供人永久性居住的小公寓。

             「比爾神父之家」執行長John Yazwinski表示，整個計畫預計耗資2400萬元。麻州政府補助的400萬元，將用於第一階段施工。該機構還需另外找到700萬元的私營機構投資。目前該機構已籌得320萬元。

             被稱為「住宅資源中心(Housing Resource Center)」的這第一階段大樓，預定今年稍後開工。

             昆士市長柯奇稱這建築計畫是個「新開始」。

Baker-Polito Administration Awards Funding, Vouchers to Seven Affordable Housing Projects for Vulnerable Communities

Supportive housing provides critical services to support chronically homeless individuals, individuals in recovery and formerly homeless individuals flourish

3/31/2021

• Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development
• Housing and Community Development
• Office of Governor Charlie Baker and Lt. Governor Karyn Polito

QUINCY — Today, Governor Charlie Baker, Lt. Governor Karyn Polito, and Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy joined House Speaker Ronald Mariano, Quincy Mayor Tom Koch, Senator John Keenan, and advocates to celebrate the production and preservation of 67 units of supportive housing for vulnerable populations, as well as 100 shelter beds, through $13.7 million in capital funding and project-based vouchers. Today’s event was held at the future home of the Father Bill's & MainSpring Housing Resource Center, which has received both supportive housing funding and a Housing Choice Community Capital Grant for design and engineering work.

Each year, DHCD distributes capital funds as well as project-based vouchers to pay for supportive services through a competitive process administered by the agency’s Supportive Housing for Vulnerable Populations program.  These supportive services serve veterans, older adults, persons with disabilities, individuals and families who have experienced homelessness, as well as unaccompanied youth.  Some state capital subsidies have also funded emergency shelter beds, including in this most recent round.

“In 2018, our administration signed the largest affordable housing legislation in Massachusetts history, and we have worked hard to invest in the production and preservation of thousands of affordable units in every region of the Commonwealth,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Thanks to our partners in the Legislature and local leaders, we are ensuring that supportive housing remains a key component of our broader strategy to increase production.” 

“Permanent supportive housing provides necessary services to our most vulnerable populations, and I am so proud that we have invested in the development of hundreds of units of this type of affordable housing across the Commonwealth available to the families and individuals that have the greatest need,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “Every project in today's round will result in housing with tailored services that will create an environment that will allow people to thrive.”

The Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), working with the Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation (CEDAC), will make available approximately $2.6 million in National Housing Trust Fund (HTF) funding, dedicated to households at 30% area median income or less; $10.7 million in state bond funds through the Housing Innovations Fund (HIF) and the Housing Stabilization Fund (HSF); and 57 state project-based housing vouchers to qualified and experienced sponsors. CEDAC, which manages HIF, works closely with DHCD to administer these rounds and review applications for funding. 

Supportive housing provides residents with social and health services, including job training, case management, healthcare coordination, addiction recovery resources, and more. All 67 units are affordable to low and extremely low-income people. There are an additional 20 units that are being supported through vouchers only but are eligible to seek additional state funding in the future. Since 2015, the Baker-Polito Administration has supported the preservation and production of hundreds of supportive housing units. 

“Solving our housing crisis requires housing production of all types, including permanent supportive housing for veterans, older adults, people in recovery, and individuals with disabilities, as well as shelter beds for those experiencing homelessness,” said Housing and Economic Development Secretary Kennealy. “Thanks to this innovative partnership involving DHCD, the city of Quincy, elected officials, and Father Bill’s and MainSpring, the vision of meeting the needs of the most vulnerable among us with a state-of-the-art facility is closer to being a reality.” 

“Our team has worked closely with incredible partners like CEDAC to invest in projects that will meaningfully help a diverse set of people who can thrive with support and housing they can afford,” said Housing and Community Development Undersecretary Jennifer Maddox. “Our department has been committed to keeping our investments in housing development on track. Our housing crisis began before our current health crisis, and I am proud we’ve been able to continue funding the development of new affordable housing in every region and pass important zoning reform to make it easier for communities to promote housing at the local level.” 

In Quincy, DHCD is awarding $4 million subsidy funds to Father Bill’s & MainSpring (FBMS) for the construction the new Housing Resource Center that will be built across from the organization’s current shelter for homeless individuals. This new multi-use facility will incorporate approximately 100 shelter beds, onsite supportive services, a respite care area, food preparation and dining facilities, administrative offices, and a clinic. DHCD will support this project with $4 million in subsidy funds. The City of Quincy is supporting the project by granting FBMS a 99-year lease at $1 per year and a capital award of $1 million in local housing trust funds, and successfully applied for a Housing Choice Community Capital Grant to cover portions of design and engineering services. 

“The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated many of the longstanding issues that our cities and towns have faced, such as homelessness,” said Speaker of the House Ronald J. Mariano. “The grants awarded today will support organizations that serve our most vulnerable residents and provide them with a path to safe, stable and dignified housing. The Massachusetts House is proud to support the work of the awardees and provide opportunities for them to expand their services. I am proud to have worked alongside the Quincy delegation to help secure this grant for Father Bill’s, and look forward to seeing the positive impact their future facility will have in our community.”   

“The Supportive Housing award, coupled with local funding from the City of Quincy, allows Father Bill's and MainSpring to move forward with its multi-use facility, which represents a new, more comprehensive approach towards preventing homelessness in southern Massachusetts,” said Senator John Keenan, Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Housing. 

"Father Bill's & MainSpring are an invaluable resource and advocate for our community. Their innovative work in not only providing stable housing, but also in their efforts in intervention and prevention work are critical to our community members facing homelessness,” said Representative Tackey Chan. “This grant money will make their new facilities a reality and allow their work to be more broad-reaching." 

"The innovative Father Bill’s and Mainspring Housing Resource Center is going to be a life-changer for so many of our most vulnerable community members in the City of Quincy,” said Quincy Mayor Thomas P. Koch. “I’m proud to partner in this endeavor, and deeply grateful to the Baker and Polito Administration for once again seeing the value in a such a vital local project by granting it a National Trust Fund Supportive Housing Award.” 

“We want to end homelessness, not manage it — and the Housing Resource Center will move us closer to that goal,” said FBMS President & CEO John Yazwinski. “The HRC is a solutions-based, proactive approach that meets individuals further upstream in their housing crisis. By investing in day services that re-house homeless individuals more quickly and prevent more people from entering shelter, we will lower public costs, reduce reliance on shelter beds and downtown spaces, and provide our neighbors in need with stability and a pathway to self-sufficiency. Thank you to Governor Charlie Baker and his administration, Speaker Ron Mariano and the Quincy state delegation, and Mayor Thomas Koch and the Quincy City Council for supporting this innovative approach. Together, our community is taking a leap forward in our fight to end homelessness.” 

“Congratulations to the non-profit organizations receiving these supportive housing funding awards. Their work is so necessary to providing housing and services to truly vulnerable populations across the Commonwealth,” said Roger Herzog, the Executive Director of the Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation (CEDAC). “CEDAC values our effective collaboration with the Baker-Polito Administration and its Department of Housing and Community Development and its strong commitment to the production of supportive housing through the eighth annual funding round dedicated for this purpose.”

The Baker-Polito Administration has shown a deep commitment to increasing the production of housing across all income levels. Since 2015, the administration has invested more than $1.4 billion in affordable housing, resulting in the production and preservation of more than 20,000 housing units, including 18,000 affordable units. In 2018, Governor Baker signed the largest housing bond bill in Massachusetts history, committing more than $1.8 billion to the future of affordable housing production and preservation. This year, Governor Baker signed economic development legislation titled An Act Enabling Partnerships for Growth that includes substantial new funding for affordable and climate-resilient housing, as well as targeted zoning reforms to advance new housing production. The administration has also supported the development of more than 17,000 mixed-income housing units through the successful MassWorks Infrastructure Program, reformed the Housing Development Incentive Program, and worked with communities to implement smart-growth development and planning efforts. 

Award Recipients: 

37 Wales Street, Boston: The non-profit sponsor, Heading Home, will demolish a structurally compromised building and construct a new, 23-unit building. Located in Dorchester, the project will provide permanent supportive housing to formerly homeless, extremely low-income (ELI) individuals. The project also will be highly energy efficient. DHCD will support this project with subsidy funds and 23 enhanced rental vouchers. 

6 Quint Ave, Boston: 6 Quint is an existing, privately owned lodging house in Allston. The non-profit sponsor, Allston-Brighton CDC, will purchase and redevelop this property into 14 supportive housing units targeted toward extremely low-income (ELI) individuals in the advanced stages of addiction recovery. DHCD subsidy funds will support the acquisition and renovation of this project. The Boston Housing Authority also is supporting 6 Quint with project-based rental vouchers. 

Ashford Street, Boston: Ashford Street is an existing 12-unit project featuring single-room occupancy (SRO) units as well as studio and one-bedroom units. The sponsor is the non-profit Allston-Brighton CDC. Located in Allston, the project serves extremely low-income (ELI) individuals. DHCD funds will support the rehabilitation and preservation of this project, including improved accessibility, with subsidy funds and four rental vouchers. The Boston Housing Authority also is supporting Ashford Street with 8 rental vouchers. 

Father Bill’s Housing Resource Center, Quincy: This project, sponsored by non-profit Father Bill’s and MainSpring (FBMS), consists of a new multi-use facility next to its existing shelter facility. It will incorporate approximately 100 shelter beds, onsite supportive services, a respite care area, food preparation and dining facilities, administrative offices, and a clinic. DHCD will support this project with subsidy funds. The City of Quincy is supporting the project by granting FBMS a 99-year lease at $1 per year and a capital award of $1 million in local housing trust funds. 

A Place to Live – 30 Winfield Street, Worcester: The non-profit sponsor, South Middlesex Opportunity Council (SMOC), will construct a new three-story building for chronically homeless single adults. The building will consist of 18 studio apartments for at-risk homeless individuals as well as office space for full time case management and a community room. DHCD will support 30 Winfield Street with subsidies and 10 state MRVPs. The City of Worcester is providing $100,000 in local HOME funds as well as project-based subsidies.  

Amherst Supportive Studio, Amherst: Sponsored by the non-profit Valley CDC, this project consists of the creation of 28 enhanced single-room occupancy (SRO) units. The building, which will achieve Passive House certification, will include one office for onsite property management and a separate office for a Resident Services Coordinator. The site currently holds a single-family home that will be demolished. The location is highly walkable, less than 1/2 mile to the Town Center and numerous service providers. DHCD will provide the project with 10 MRVP vouchers to assist in the effort to house ten homeless individuals. 

New Point Acquisitions, Salem: North Shore Community Development Coalition (NSCDC) will carry out substantial capital improvements, implement supportive services, and convert 18 unrestricted units into affordable units for homeless individuals. Located in the Point neighborhood close to Salem’s center, this project consists of units divided across three, 3-story brick walk-up buildings. The City of Salem is supporting the project with City Home funds of $25,000, CPA funds of $100,000, CDBG funds of $25,000, and 8 rental vouchers.  DHCD will provide the project with 10 enhanced rental vouchers to assist NSCDC’s efforts to house homeless families.  NSCDC will apply to DHCD for subsidy funds in future competitive funding