It was fantastic to see so many housing supporters at our Happy Hour last Monday, thank you to everyone who made it a success! We had a great time catching up with old friends and meeting new ones. We look forward to making this a regular part of the Brookline for Everyone calendar. And, as Katherine mentioned at the bar, if you’re interested in joining our new outreach committee, please email brooklineforeveryone@gmail.com.
Massachusetts House Passed the Affordable Homes Act!
We’re excited that the Massachusetts House passed a very important housing bill, known as the Affordable Homes Act, on June 6. The bill includes $6.5 billion in bond authorizations. It also includes tax credits and over 20 policy initiatives to promote housing production, facilitate the development of affordable housing, and preserve public housing in Massachusetts. We’re particularly excited for the bill’s strong Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) statewide reform, which could produce more than 8,000 ADUs over the next 5 years. While we are disappointed that the final version did not include the local option real estate transfer fee, we are excited that Brookline’s entire House delegation – Representatives Vitolo, Balser, Honan, and MacGregor – voted in favor. We want to particularly send a big thank you to Rep Tommy Vitolo for securing two important earmarks for local housing needs – $1M for Brookline Housing Authority kitchen renovation and electrification, and $200,000 for the Brookline Community Development Corporation to support the construction of new workforce housing.
Now the bill is off to the Senate to continue its journey through the legislative process, hopefully culminating in a signature from Governor Healy. Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to email or call your representative, or spoke in person, in support of the bill. A special shout-out to the Greater Boston Interfaith Organization who has made the passage of this bond bill a major piece of their Housing Justice Campaign and Abundant Housing MA who pushed hard to ensure strong ADU standards.
Brookline Celebrates Juneteenth
This year, Brookline will host two Juneteenth celebrations.
- The 4th Annual Town of Brookline Juneteenth Celebration, hosted by the Brookline Juneteenth Celebration Committee will be held at Brookline Avenue Park from 10am to 4pm. The festivities kick off at 10am at the Florida Ruffin Ridley school for a Freedom March to honor the 84 people that were enslaved in Brookline. The march will head down Harvard Street to the Brookline Avenue Park holding banners commemorating their lives, struggles, and history. Then celebrate, eat, dance, play, shop, and more at the Brookline Avenue Park from 11am-4pm. More info and registration here.
- The Juneteenth Block Party: A Family Reunion will be held at Florida Ruffin Ridley School from 12pm to 4pm. Join Brookline for the Culture for a day of family-friendly fun featuring music, food, activities, and more in the form of a block party. The block party is a great way to get together and get to know your neighbors. It’s a chance to relax, meet new people, and have a good time. There will be something for everyone, from bounce houses and face painting for the kids to live music and dancing for the adults. More info and register here.
Town Meetings and Events of Note This Week
- The Economic Development Advisory Board will be holding an in-person workshop regarding the Chestnut Hill Commercial Area Study on Monday, June 17 from 7-9pm at Town Hall Room 103. The board will get a progress report from Economic Development Director Meredith Mooney, and then the members of the board will participate in a workshop to consider the possible reformation of the Chestnut Hill Commercial area. The evening concludes with a public comment period. More info here.
- The Planning Board will be meeting via Zoom on Thursday, June 20 at 7:30pm. On the agenda are 2 projects we hope can be moved forward – 12 Williams Street in Precinct 9 will convert a 1-unit home to a 3-family and 135 Saint Paul Street in Precinct 3 will replace a two-family with a six-family home. We encourage anyone able to contact the Planning Board (via npare@brooklinema.gov) and ask them to find a resolution to any outstanding issues and approve the projects to come to fruition. More info on the projects and Zoom registration here.
What We’re Reading
One of our favorite reporters on the national housing beat, Vox’s Rachel Cohen, has a story on some potentially significant changes to the federal rental assistance program. The piece, “The federal government’s new plan to (maybe) give renters straight cash,” discusses comments that HUD Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy Development Brian McCabe made at a national guaranteed income conference, regarding a proposal to consider distributing cash directly to tenants rather than the much more complicated voucher program. The piece digs into a lot of nuances, and it’s not certain that cash assistance vs. vouchers is obviously better or worse. But it’s important to trial alternative paths to the same goal – which is ultimately ensuring that everyone in the country has a safe home regardless of income or wealth – and assessing outcomes.