Housing Headlines

BOSTON --- In a survey of 1,531 Massachusetts residents, the Mass Inc. polling group found that 29 percent of renters missed paying at least some rent between April and June, and that far more part-time and hourly workers have experienced economic hardship during the first few months of the COVID-19 health emergency.

SALEM --- North Shore CDC CEO Mickey Northcutt writes an open letter to his region, calling for actions big and small to help eliminate systemic oppression and racism. Northcutt urged readers to support Black-owned businesses and organizations that support the Black community and announced that his organization would be sharing books and documentaries which "may offer the opportunity for self-study as well as dialogue among friends and family."

BOSTON --- The Asian Community Development Corp. issued a "Statement on Anti-Blackness," cataloging the impacts of COVID-19 and racial unrest and calling for unity to dismantle racism. "This country has long pitted communities of color against one another. Asian Americans have often been used as a wedge to split apart people of color, such as the 'Model Minority' myth, which puts us on an insidious pedestal while blaming Black and Brown people for their own sufferings," wrote Executive Director Angie Liou. "Divisiveness keeps the white supremacy system intact. We must stand together with the Black, Brown and Indigenous communities. How can we ask others to stand in solidarity against anti-Asian xenophobia, if we cannot join the call now for justice for George Floyd and others like him?"

RANDOLPH --- The United Way of Massachusetts and Merrimack Valley has contributed $20,000 to the Resilient Randolph Fund, which will bring together resources from various support organizations to support residents with essential needs rent, mortgage, food, utilities, medications, and other basic necessities. All donations will be collected by United Way and distributed by nonprofit organizations South Shore Stars and NeighborWorks Housing Solutions.

BEVERLY --- The City Council has scheduled a public hearing for June 15 to discuss a proposal to use $240,000 in Community Preservation Act funds to establish an emergency fund to help income-qualified residents who are struggling to pay rent due to COVID-19. The recommendation was made by the town's Community Preservation Committee, which said the city should be ready to help when unemployment benefits and the eviction moratorium expires.

BOSTON --- Continuing its commitment to support affordable housing for veterans, older adults, people with disabilities and those at risk of homelessness, the state today awarded $16 million in federal funds and 73 mobile housing vouchers to nine projects across the Commonwealth. Awards were made to supportive housing in Boston (2), Lawrence, Lynn Malden, Northampton (2), Quincy and Worcester.