Vote Owen Broadhurst in 2006 Take a Strong Stand for Strong Communities
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Proposal for Housing Needs

The Third Least Affordable State in the Nation

The persistent and growing concern of homelessness is by no means limited to such cities as Springfield, Boston or Worcester, but is an ever growing issue throughout our state as middle income and low income families find housing and rental costs continually skyrocketing along with healthcare costs in an age of wage stagnation and draconian budget cuts.

The Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless has observed that Massachusetts is the third least affordable state in the country. Despite our having rental and housing costs now beyond the means of growing numbers of families, only 1,300 affordable rental units are created each year through DHCD subsidy programs. 118,000 households are paying over 50% of income towards rent and utilities. Families already homeless and living in shelters are being told they must wait three years or more to find housing. A head of household earning $15,000 per year working full time cannot afford rent in this area.

Remedies Remain Available

Clearly, we need to raise the minimum wage and index this to the rate of inflation. Clearly, we need a single-payer health plan so that heads of families need no longer be forced to choose between housing and health care. We furthermore must absolutely restore funding to vital agencies, and implement a fair tax plan to better fund such services. Massachusetts has the means, and must find the will.

I Have a Plan

I support and endorse the Massachusetts Association of Community Development Corporations recommendation for the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP) budget to be raised an additional $10 million; I am urging an additional $5 million for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund; and I seek to double the low income housing tax credit.

We must raise Rental Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) an additional $2 million and cover moving costs and rent arrears; I would oppose the cuts proposed in Governor Mitt Romney's budget, and oppose his proposed RAFT payment restrictions; and I propose that RAFT income eligibility standards in economically depressed areas to be set at 50% of state-wide median income rather than area median income. I furthermore support a state enabling act allowing cities and towns to adopt rent control and/or just cause eviction protection.

I support raising Individual Self-Sufficiency Initiative Program funding an additional $5million; urge state-wide implementation of a pilot program of the First Stop Early Warning Prevention Initiative as recommended by the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless; support full funding for the Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled and Children Program to meet current eligibility standards and provide a 10% cost of living adjustment; urge expansion of the Toolbox program, earmarking up to $5 million to be used for homelessness prevention and helping families move from shelters to safe and affordable permanent housing; seek passage of An Act Removing Barriers to Emergency Shelter for Families with Children; support additional 10% funding of shelter providers' operating contracts; urge an increase of $1 million for shelter cash assistance and stabilization services; and support a $6.5 million increase in Emergency Assistance for homelessness prevention.

We Must Create More Units

To facilitate further creation of affordable units, I support Chapter 40B reform and urge passage of Act Relative to Reforming Chapter 40B as filed in November last year by state senator Richard T. Moore. We need a stronger Community Preservation Act independent of any property tax surcharge, and I support a package of incentives to facilitate adoption of the Community Preservation Act in more communities. I firmly oppose allowing Chapter 40B units to revert back to market rates.

Housing is a Basic and Essential Human Right

Housing is a basic human right recognized by international law. Article 24 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights makes clear: "Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control." We're clearly not doing nearly enough to house people in need in this state. This candidate would do more.

More Resources

Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless

ARISE for Social Justice

March to Abolish Poverty
Owen R. Broadhurst on Google

 

For Social and Economic Justice