THIS MORNING: House Amendments for Housing Justice
Today is suddenly a VERY BIG DAY in the State House of Representatives as House members vote on an Economic Development Bond Bill (H.4789) that must pass. Representatives (with advocates) have calculated that their best chance of getting their priority bills passed is as amendments to this bill (hence 499 amendments have been filed!). We need to […]
State Supplemental Budget Signed; RAFT and Other Housing Programs Funded
On July 24, Governor Baker signed into law the $1.1 billion COVID-19-focused supplemental budget to Governor Baker for his signature. It includes at least $20 million for additional RAFT homelessness prevention resources for families and individuals impacted by COVID-19, at least $1 million more for housing and services for unaccompanied youth experiencing homelessness, at least […]
Urgent Action to Save Lives and Prevent Avalanche of Evictions
This is a weekend post because we’re in that time of weekend posts: one week to go before the end of the Legislative Session. Grab your minutes to act when you’ve got them! Your voice makes a difference. Submit testimony, no later than Tuesday, 12 noon, to pass legislation to Guarantee Housing Stability. While Governor Baker extended the […]
ACT TO STOP FEDERAL DISCRIMINATION AGAINST TRANSGENDER PEOPLE
THANKS TO THE NATIONAL LOW INCOME HOUSING COALITION FOR THIS ALERT: Help Stop HUD’s Proposed Rule to Allow Discrimination Against Transgender People Experiencing Homelessness HUD published today a proposed rule change that would remove protections against discrimination of transgender and gender non-conforming people experiencing homelessness, severely limiting their ability to access emergency shelters and services. The proposed […]
COVID-19 Webinar: Monday, 7/27, 2 pm
From the US Interagency Council on Homelessness: Future Planning for the Homelessness Response System:Lessons Learned from Birmingham, Detroit, and New OrleansFeaturing: Tasha Gray, Executive Director, Homeless Action Network of Detroit (HAND) Terra Linzner, Homelessness Solutions Director Housing and Revitalization Department, City of Detroit Marjorianna Willman, Director of Housing Policy and Community Development, City of New Orleans Martha […]
2020 Census: EVERYONE living in the US gets counted
Please see this announcement below from The Statewide Complete Count Committee (SCCC) and MIRA Coalition, a response to the recent White House memo regarding the counting of undocumented immigrants for the census. Here is the link to the SCCC and MIRA full response: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1sMoQS0sTmiabR1rQ_N4iVKR-bmbWghOtLSqA-2N3p3Q/edit. Below is a summary of points being shared by complete count advocates. […]
Veterans Committee Meeting Minutes – 7/22/20
In attendance: Daniel Bahls, CLA, Steve Connor, Veterans Services, Michele LaFleur, Three County CoC, Jesus Pereira, Holyoke Veterans Services, Pamela Schwartz, NetworkAnnouncements and Updates: Holyoke Veterans Office received City of Holyoke CDBG funds to help veteran families pay for funeral expenses for veterans who passed away from COVID-19 (primarily aimed at Holyoke Soldiers Home) SSVF […]
Career Services Committee Meeting Minutes – 7/21/20
In attendance: Irving Concepcion, Way Finders, Shannon Doran, Greenfield Community College, Anne Kandalis, Springfield Works, Paul Mattingly, Berkshire Community College, Justin Maynard, VA, Elena Nuciforo, Berkshire Community College, Judy Raper, Greenfield Community College, Cynthia Ray, MassHire Franklin Hampshire County, Konrad Rogowski, MassHire Springfield, Jasmin Rojas, Way Finders, Pamela Schwartz, Network. Rep. Aaron Vega Way Finders (Irving […]
