The Guidelines do not – and cannot – take into consideration the quality of the service or the type of equipment used on any given line.
Housing
Posted inOpinion
Is ‘paper compliance’ with the MBTA Communities law good enough?
It doesn’t add any new homes for young adults or new families, or add diversity. It doesn’t create new opportunities for downsizing seniors. It doesn’t add the homes our local employers need to attract and retain workers. But it passes the compliance test.
Posted inHousing
Analysis of Healey housing bill called ‘half-baked’
Evan Horowitz of the Center for State Policy Analysis Horowitz said the Donahue Institute analysis would be more suitable if the state was in a recession because it assumes there is a shortfall of jobs and economic activity. He questioned whether it would be possible to create 30,000 jobs in what is basically a full employment economy. Indeed, he indicated the bond bill could accelerate the scramble for scarce employees right now.
Posted inOpinion
No more waiving a right to a home inspection
At a time when even small offer terms can mean the difference between securing your dream home and returning to square one, many homebuyers are cutting corners and closing on a house without a full evaluation.
Posted inOpinion
When your home is making your children sick
This situation has left us wondering when our elected leaders will make effective policies that protect our children without needing a pediatrician to take matters into her own hands.
Posted inOpinion
Development proposed at Shawmut T stop still too big
The Boston Planning and Development Agency has permitted Trinity’s project, but there is an appeals process under law, and we plan to use it.
Posted inImmigration
Work authorizations for migrants in shelter system soar
Between December 18 and December 28, the number of migrants in the emergency shelter system who are authorized to work under federal law rose from 813 to 2,713, according to a status report provided to the Legislture.
Posted inOpinion
Mass. should ban evictions during the winter months
Despite its frigid weather, Massachusetts doesn’t prohibit evictions during the winter months like some other states and cities.
Posted inHousing
Newton councilors scale back housing plan in face of state deadline
NEWTON CITY COUNCILORS signed off on the wealthy Boston suburb’s first substantial zoning overhaul in more than 35 years, approving a plan on Monday night that aims to bring more […]
Posted inHousing
Healey’s shelter cap of 7,500 families is triggered
The number of families housed in the state’s emergency shelter system hit Gov. Maura Healey’s limit on Thursday afternoon, triggering a new regulation that will allow the shelter system to begin to turn people away.
Posted inOpinion
The environmental case for repurposing downtown buildings
AT A TIME when vacancy rates in some of Boston’s downtown office buildings remain high and foot-traffic has been slow to return in office only districts, long-floated ideas of converting […]
Posted inHousing
Shelter system also key for survivors of domestic violence
THE SUDDEN SPOTLIGHT on Massachusetts’ painfully strained shelter system – creaking under growing demand driven by new migrant arrivals – has mostly glanced past a group that was already struggling […]
Posted inHousing, State House News Service
Wu cool to Widett Circle proposal
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE BOSTON MAYOR Michelle Wu was cool Monday to the idea that Widett Circle could be used as a recovery campus to help address persistent drug use […]
Posted inOpinion
A sweep through Mass. and Cass will do irreparable harm
AS A LICENSED clinical social worker who has conducted outreach at Mass. and Cass and worked in the city-run men’s shelter on Atkinson Street, I am disappointed in Mayor Wu’s […]
Posted inHousing, State Government, State House News Service
House backs market-rate housing program
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE THE HOUSE came around on the idea of expanding a tax credit program designed to encourage much-needed housing production, just not in the legislative vehicle that […]
Posted inGovernment, Housing, Opinion
Want to protect the historic character of Massachusetts cities and towns? Take away their power.
IT’S NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE to propose almost any change at the local level in Massachusetts—a new apartment building, a corner-store zoning variance, even a bicycle lane—without setting off yelps of protest. Though these […]
Posted inOpinion
Finishing the job on veteran homelessness
EARLIER THIS YEAR, the US Department of Veterans Affairs announced its ambitious 2023 goals toward preventing and ending veteran homelessness, including ensuring that 95 percent of veterans recently housed nationally […]
Posted inOpinion
High rents are bad for your health
AS HEALTH CARE professionals and affordable housing leaders, we endorse Mayor Michelle Wu’s recently proposed rent stabilization plan for Boston. Investment in rent stabilization is an investment in health, health […]
Posted inOpinion
Let’s rethink the use of Joint Base Cape Cod
THE AIR FORCE’S suspension of intelligence activity performed at Joint Base Cape Cod eliminates the primary service mission of the base. The leak of sensitive intelligence from a service member […]
Posted inHousing, State Government, State House News Service
Healey names former Worcester city manager as housing secretary
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE GOV. MAURA HEALEY named Edward Augustus as state housing secretary on Monday, turning to a former state senator and Worcester city manager to serve as point […]
Posted inHousing, Opinion
Why rent control would deepen inequality
THE CITY OF BOSTON’S attempt to return to the failed policy of rent control was not unexpected, but residents of Massachusetts – especially people of color – should understand that […]
Posted inThe Download
Boston rent control plan on the ropes
What do you call the opposite of a trial balloon? A deep-six signal? Whatever the term for it, it sure looks like legislative leaders are giving it some play when […]
Posted inOpinion
Partnerships key to addressing student homelessness in Lawrence
AT TIMES the wheels of government move more slowly than we’d like. In the meantime, working families struggle to get by. With so many big, systemic issues to address, even […]
Posted inHousing, State Government
Stand-alone housing secretariat moves forward
GOV. MAURA HEALEY’S plan to create a new Cabinet-level post on housing got the green light from the Senate on Thursday, bringing the administration one step closer to an adjustment […]
