►
Description
On the floor of the Massachusetts State House, Mayor Walsh and City Councilor Lydia Edwards testified before the Joint Committee on Housing in support of "An Act to Further Leverage Commercial Development to Build Housing, Create Jobs, and Preserve Inclusionary Development." If signed into law by Governor Charlie Baker, this bill would grant Boston more flexibility to fund affordable housing and workforce training.
A
A
Good
morning
and
welcome,
my
name
is
Kevin
Honan
I'm,
the
house,
chair
of
the
Housing
Committee
I'm,
with
Brendon
Crichton's,
and
the
Kryten
he's
the
Senate
chair,
we're
also
joined
by
some
of
our
colleagues.
The
vice
chair,
general
McGonagall,
is
here
representative
chris
hendricks
is
here.
Thank
you
both
for
coming
today
we're
going
to
hear
a
testimony
on
a
Boston
Home
Rule
petition.
I
was
4
1
1
5.
If
anyone
wishes
to
testify,
you
can
sign
in
outside.
If
you
haven't
already,
we
limit
testimony
to
3
minutes.
A
B
Chairman
Thank
You,
chairman
Honan
and
chairman
Crichton.
Thank
you
very
much
and
through
you
to
the
members
of
the
committee.
Thank
you
for
being
here
today
for
the
record.
My
name
is
Martin
Walsh
mayor
the
city
of
Boston
I'm,
here
to
testify
in
support
of
House
bill
40
41:15
sponsored
by
representing
from
awesome
Brighton
before
I
before
I
get
started.
I
just
want
to
just
talk.
Briefly.
B
The
deals
with
just
the
city
of
Boston,
with
the
ability
to
use
the
linkage
and
IDP
to
be
able
to
continue
to
create
affordable
housing
and
protect
what
we
have
in
our
city
behind
us
today.
The
council
myself.
Many
people
been
doing
this
work.
As
you
know,
for
many
many
years
there,
the
housing
advocates
there,
the
tenants
rights
organizations
there.
B
The
organizations
that
have
been
in
these
halls
since
I
got
elected
in
1997
and
sat
in
the
same
chairs
that
you
sat
in
these
are
the
folks
that
have
been
having
have
been
pushing
and
fighting
for
many
years.
We're
going
to
an
incredible
opportunity
right
now
in
the
city
of
Boston,
incredible
building
boom
we're
still
experiencing
it
and
I,
don't
see
a
slowdown,
at
least
not
for
2020
and
maybe
into
2021,
and
we've
seen
a
lot
of
growth
and
gain
in
our
city.
But
what
we
have
not
seen
is
we
talked
about
this.
B
A
lot
and
I
know
you
do
too
here
at
the
legislature,
the
incoming
income
inequality
number
has
not
shrunk.
It's
grown.
The
opportunities
for
people
to
live
in
the
city
of
Boston
has
not
has
not
increased,
it's
decreased
and
the
issues
the
impacts
that
we
have
in
the
stress
that
we
feel
throughout
the
Commonwealth
of
Massachusetts
and
the
lack
of
affordable
housing
throughout
the
Commonwealth.
B
Quite
honestly,
it's
something
that
is
major
concern,
and
until
other
cities
and
towns
are
willing
to
step
up
and
help
us
with
this
Boston's
gonna
continue
to
build
affordable
homes,
Boston's
going
to
continue
to
support
our
tenants
and
support
our
communities
so
I'm
asking
for
supporting
this
legislation.
I
also
want
to
just
briefly
thank
this
committee,
because
it
needs
to
be
recognized
that
this
committee
passed,
you
passed
the
largest
housing
bond
bill
in
the
history
of
the
Commonwealth
of
Massachusetts
last
session.
Mr.
chairman,
you
led
the
efforts
I
want
to
thank
you
for
that.
B
B
What
they're
going
to
do
once
they
create
those
opportunities,
they're
gonna,
come
after
our
talent,
so
I
want
to
be
very
clear
on
that.
So
I
want
to
thank
you
for
allowing
me
the
opportunity
to
say
a
few
words
there
on
this.
This
bill
would
allow
us
to
leverage
Boston,
strong
growth,
to
create
more
opportunities
for
housing
and
job
training
for
our
residents.
I
welcome
the
opportunity
individually
or,
if
you
like,
anytime,
that
your
offices
would
like
to
talk
to
us
more
about
what
we
want
to
do
here.
B
We'll
gladly
help
you
and
lay
out
the
blueprint
on
what
we're
doing
here.
Some
of
the
context
about
Boston's
growth,
as
I
mentioned
earlier,
Boston,
is
experiencing
one
of
the
the
biggest
building
boom
in
the
history
of
our
city.
In
2019
alone,
this
year
we
approved
over
four
points
over
four
billion
dollars
worth
of
new
development.
At
the
same
time,
a
population
in
the
city
of
Boston
is
continuing
to
climb,
and
it's
about
I
think
it's
over
700,000,
but
we're
close
to
700,000
residents.
More
and
more
people
want
to
make
Boston
their
home.
B
Housing
continues
to
be
the
biggest
economic
challenge
facing
the
people
of
Boston
and
across
our
region.
Not
only
do
we
need
more
housing
to
keep
up
with
the
demand,
we
also
need
more
housing
at
price
points
that
families
can
afford
and
that's
something
that
a
lot
of
our
advocates
in
this
room
are
fighting
for
traditionally
we're
relying
on
federal
resources
for
affordable
housing.
But
we
cannot
do
that
anymore,
so
I'm,
not
even
talking
today
about
public
housing.
We
have
a.
B
We
have
billions
of
dollars
that
needs
in
our
public
housing
authority,
we're
making
those
investments
working
with
the
council
and
getting
the
money
from
our
general
fund
into
that
which
I
won't
really
touch
upon
too
much
right
now,
but
it's
up
to
our
own
resources
and
we
need
to
strengthen
our
resources
and
every
tool
that
we
have
to
be
able
to
create
more
housing.
This
is
what
Boston
has
done
since
2015.
B
Under
our
housing
plan,
we've
created
over
31,000
new
homes,
20%
of
those
are
subsidized,
affordable
homes
for
the
first
time
we're
using
city
funds
to
renovate
the
public
housing
developments
to
rock
capital
in
sale
of
length
of
a
garage
so
we're
making
investments
and
our
public
housing
where
our
most
vulnerable
people
live.
We
get
the
portunity
Preservation
Act,
passed
with
the
overwhelming
support
of
voters.
We
worked
with
to
increase
the
state
match
alone,
thank
again
the
Chim
and
Honan
for
helping
us
in
Brighton
and
awesome
Brighton
area
with
this.
B
B
I
know
a
lot
of
people,
don't
want
to
vote
on
taxes
that
road
has
nothing
to
do
with
taxes
as
far
as
you,
although
that
road
is
specifically
giving
us
the
tools
in
Boston,
so
that
myself
and
the
City
Council
can
work
together
to
raise
the
tax
on
transfer
fees
that
money
which
all
will
go
right
back
into
housing,
and
today
we're
talking
about
the
next
step,
strengthening
our
two
biggest
affordable
housing
tools,
inclusionary
development
and
linkage.
This
bill
allows
us
to
make
two
very
important.
Changes.
B
First
gives
us
the
flexibility
to
adjust
linkage
payments
we
require
for
commercial
developments.
What
we're
seeing
right
now
in
the
city
of
Boston
we're
seeing
a
switch
from
residential
to
commercial
in
a
lot
of
areas.
This
would
allow
us
the
opportunity
to
get
more
linkage
fees
and
will
help
us
keep
pace
with
the
market,
so
we
can
continue
to
leverage
our
city's
growth
just
to
the
to
the
press.
That's
here
today.
What
we
want
to
do
is
not
put
business
out
of
business.
B
We
want
to
work
with
business
to
make
sure
that
the
business,
the
deals
that
we're
doing
in
the
city
are
beneficial
to
everyone,
so
that
when
somebody
builds
a
new
building
and
they
were
able
to
make
as
much
money
as
they
can
possibly
make
on
it,
the
money
that
comes
out
of
that
project
can
go
back
in
and
help
people
to
work
actually
in
their
buildings
to
job
training
and
places
to
live
in
addition
to
affordable
housing.
Linkage,
funds
also
helps
us
with
education
projects
and,
as
I
mentioned
job
training.
B
These
opportunities
are
helping
plan,
so
nians
get
better
jobs
and
better
careers.
You're
gonna
hear
from
a
few
people
in
little
while
George
Oh
point
is
gonna
speak
he's
an
amazing
immigrant
from
Haiti
receive
job
training
through
our
neighborhood
job
trust
he's
now
an
employee
at
the
Boston
Park
Plaza
and
a
member
of
local
26
local
26
apprenticeship
program
he's
here
with
his
parents,
he's
nervous,
don't
be
nervous.
George
you'll
be
fine.
Gregory
I
mean
sorry.
B
Gregory
I
had
the
pleasure
of
hearing
his
story
at
the
neighborhood
job
trust
award
that
we
had
at
more
than
words
this
year.
He
is
a
proud,
proud,
proud,
Bostonian,
he's
proud
of
the
opportunities
I've
been
given
to
him
and
his
family
to
come
here
and
make
a
better
life
for
his
family.
It's
amazing
to
hear
his
story.
You'll
hear
a
little
bit.
B
He
was
gonna
talk
about
what
this
program
meant
to
him
and
what
it
means
to
him,
and
you
can
take
his
story
and
multiply
it
by
thousands
of
people
that
we're
doing
every
day.
Train
wind
is
here
today
from
our
office
of
Workforce
Development.
Second,
this
bill
makes
inclusion
a
development,
a
permanent
part
of
Boston
zoning
code.
It
started
in
2000
when
IDP
helped
create
thousands
of
units
of
income
restricted
housing
in
the
city
of
Boston.
We
strengthened
the
policy
in
2015
which
helped
us
create
even
more
homes.
B
B
Today,
we're
also
going
to
hear
from
Tammy
Brown
a
lifelong
Bostonian
who
lives
lived
in
the
Beverly
with
their
two
children.
The
Beverly
is
the
first
fully
in
income
restricted
building
for
families
in
downtown
Boston
and
decades,
with
the
sill
that
with
the
Big
Dig
and
all
of
the
benefits
of
that
that
piece
of
property
came
out
of
that
where
we
created
opportunities
to
be
able
to
have
housing
inside
of
Boston,
it
was
funded
by
revenue
from
the
neighborhood
developments.
B
It's
a
great
example
of
how
we
can
how
we
can
work
with
developers
in
the
city
in
the
state
we
work
to
make
sure
affordable
units
for
our
family.
That
was
truly
an
inclusive
project.
You're
also
gonna
hear
from
some
other
Eileen
and
some
other
folks
who
moved
into
IDP
unit
and
Libby
place
in
Chinatown
about
a
year
and
a
half
ago.
B
At
the
end
of
the
day,
this
bill
is
about
helping
residents,
builds
good
lives
and
strong
lines
and
allows
them
the
opportunity
to
stay
in
the
city
that
they
grew
up
in
or
'the
city
they
moved
into
it's
about
strengthening
and
expansion,
our
middle
class,
it's
about
making
our
city
as
a
whole
more
resilient.
We
continue
to
look
for
tools
and
resources,
great
more
opportunities
for
residents.
I
want
to
thank
the
housing
advocates,
City
Council
upon
us
here,
we're
not
asking
for
a
handout
here
today.
B
What
we're
asking
for
is
an
opportunity
to
be
able
to
take
the
revenue
that's
earned
made
in
the
City
of
Boston
and
be
able
to
put
it
back
into
the
important
pieces
to
keep
our
city
an
equitable
City
for
all
I
respectfully
ask
to
recommend
the
passage
of
this
important
bill.
Well,
I
welcome
continue.
I!
Thank
you
for
all
of
the
conversation.
I'm
turn
this
over
to
Council
Edwards
and
then
afterwards,
we'll
both
take
questions.
If
you
have
any
questions
for
us,
if
that's
okay,
okay,
thank
you.
C
Thank
you
very
much
mr.
mayor
I
wanted
to
thank
the
chair,
chair,
Honan
members
of
the
committee
for
this
opportunity
to
testify
and
to
continue
what
I
think
is
our
growing
partnership
and
trying
to
deal
with
regional
issues
such
as
housing,
transportation
and
other
difficult
conversations
that
we
all
receive
the
phone
calls
we
all
hear
from
our
constituents
about
this.
These
particular
issues
so
I
want
to
thank
you
for
this
opportunity.
C
I'm
proud
to
support
h4,
1,
1
5
and
act
authorizing
the
city
of
Boston
to
limit
buildings
according
to
their
use
and
construction
to
specify
districts
and
urge
its
imminent
passage.
This
bill,
passed
unanimously
by
the
Boston
City
Council
and
was
signed
by
Mayor
Walsh,
it
modernizes
Boston's
authorities
to
relative
residential
and
commercial
development.
This
is
more
than
just
a
housing
bill.
This
legislation
advances
civil
rights
and
fair
housing
while
making
our
local
development
processes
more
effective,
more
accountable
and
ultimately
more
affordable
for
Bostonians.
C
Specifically,
it
expands
the
city's
ability
to
update
linkage.
That's
the
development
impact
fees
on
commercial
projects
which
fund,
affordable
housing
and
jobs,
training
in
Boston.
Importantly,
the
bill
also
authorizes
inclusionary
zoning
in
the
city
of
Boston
linkage.
Er
fees
on
large-scale
large-scale
commercial
development
was
originally
enacted
in
Boston
to
the
advocacy
of
the
late
councilor
Bruce
bowling
I'm
proud
to
stand
with
advocates
today.
To
call
for
this
important
update,
inclusionary
development
requirements
for
affordability
placed
on
residential
development
has
been
in
place
since
2000,
but
Boston
has
never
received
full
legislative
authorization
for
it.
C
This
means
that
Boston's
authority
to
require
affordable
housing
is
based
entirely
on
private
developers,
seeking
variances
or
exceptions
to
our
zoning
code,
public
funding
or
public
land.
Today
boston
is
rezoning.
My
neighborhood
of
East
Boston
is
preparing
for
growth
and
change
in
order
to
prepare
and
in
order
to
provide
consistent
signals
to
development,
we
need
to
update
our
zoning.
East
Boston
today
sees
an
enormous
amount
of
requests
for
variances.
This
frustrates
both
residents
and
developers
and
raises
the
cost
of
building
housing,
but
unfortunately
it
is
the
only
way
we
can
require
inclusionary
development.
C
Today,
I
want
to
emphasize
this
point
today.
Boston's
inclusionary
development
powers
are
contingent
upon
zoning
code
being
out
of
date
and
distinct
from
other
city.
Plans
are
actual
real
estate
trends.
Every
other
community
in
Massachusetts
every
other
community
in
Massachusetts,
enjoys
the
power
to
require
affordable
housing
through
their
zoning
code,
specifically
section
9
of
chapter
40,
a
of
the
general
laws
gives
other
communities
in
Massachusetts.
A
special
permit
provision
in
zoning
Boston
is
the
exception.
To
that
rule.
The
city
of
Boston
does
not
have
that
power.
C
So
today
we're
coming
to
you
to
ask
for
legislation
that
will
take
Boston
from
the
weakest,
affordable
housing
authority
to
the
most
clearly
articulated
framework
for
inclusion
area
development
statewide.
It
also
requires
our
city
to
do
our
homework
passing.
This
is
just
the
beginning
of
many
conversations
we
have
to
have.
Once
this
passes.
We
still
have
to
go
back
and
work
with
developers
work
with
residents,
work
with
all
stakeholders
to
make
sure
that,
as
we
update
our
zoning
code,
it
is
in
a
responsible
way.
C
We
must
look
to
and
we
are
required
in
the
legislation
to
actually
look
at
economic
data
and
trends.
We
have
to
look
at
demographic,
Qin's
and
fair
housing
trends
as
well.
This
makes
our
planning
more
accountable
to
all
parties,
most
importantly
to
the
communities
that
we
all
represent.
In
addition
to
the
new
detailed
level
of
analysis
we
must
undergo,
we
are
also
committing
to
greater
transparency
in
the
development
process.
These
small
provisions
will
build
trust
in
our
communities.
C
A
You
councillor,
thank
you
also,
Mayor
appreciate
you
both
coming
up
here
today,
we've
been
joined
by
senator
Julianne
Sater.
The
vice
chair
committee,
as
important
as
developing
new
units
is
preserving
units.
So
in
my
neighborhood
we
have
Babcock
towers
and
Warren
Hall,
just
wondering
if
we
are
thoughts
on
using
this
linkage,
money
to
preserve
units
that
are
at
risk
right
now,
yeah.
B
Use
was
up
and
we
had
to
negotiate
working
with
the
city
of
Boston
to
keep
those
buildings
under
under
income
restrictions
so
that
the
seniors
could
live
there.
You
know
it
happens
frequently,
so
we
could
use
the
money
from
linkage.
The
linkage
increase
we
used.
Might
we
have
now,
but
we
have
the
ability
to
raise
more
money
for
language
to
preserve
housing
units.
Thank.
A
D
D
B
To
come
in
Everett
I
mean
if
you
look
at
the
sheet
of
affordable
housing
being
built
in
the
Commonwealth.
You
know,
other
cities
get
credit,
but
ever
it's
right
up
there
and
in
that
linkage
you
can
see
a
direct
correlation
to
more
affordable
housing
being
built.
So
I
want
to
commend
you
for
what
you've
been
doing
again
when
I
mentioned
earlier,
it
wasn't
necessary
slate
at
everyone,
not
not,
certainly
not
the
legislature,
but
we
need.
We
need
cities
and
towns
to
step
up
and
build
more
I'll
lists
are
lists.
B
Are
yesterday
we
had
a
announcement
in
Chinatown
and
I
think
it
was
128
units
of
affordable
housing,
4400
applications.
Many
many
years
ago,
Roxbury
Madison
Madison
Park
had
76
units
of
housing,
4,000
applicants.
If
you
look
at
the
addresses
of
those
applicants
in
on
all
Boston
residents,
so
we
really
need
to
create
opportunities
for
housing.
Our
poor
people
have
no
place
to
go.
They
have
no
place
to
go
and
what
this
legislation
does.
B
It
allows
us
in
Boston
the
opportunity
to
be
able
to
try
and
build
more
housing
for
those
folks,
but
we
have
to
go
far
beyond
it.
I
think
what
you
did
here
in
the
legislature
last
year
with
the
housing
bond
bill
was
baked
and
I
think
having
more
opportunities
like
that's
important
as
well.
Thank
you.
E
Any
further
questions,
yes,
it
under
to
comment
and
Thank
You.
Mr.
mayor
and
counselor,
you
know
the
housing
crisis
in
this
Commonwealth
is
really
what's
you
know
affecting
so
many
of
our
communities.
In
my
neck
of
the
woods
on
the
Cape
in
the
island,
you
know
our
inability
to
provide
housing
for
our
residents
is
eroding
our
communities.
E
A
heck
of
a
lot
faster
than
the
ocean
is-
and
you
know
this
legislature
I
think
we
really
need
to
take
action
and
really
make
sure
that
all
of
our
towns
are
are
stepping
up
to
provide
housing
and
so
I'm
grateful
to
the
leadership
that
we
have
here
in
Boston
and
the
largest
city
in
the
Commonwealth
on
this
issue.
We've
got
some
good
leadership
and,
in
my
neck
of
the
woods
as
well,
but
I
think
that
this
is.
E
This
is
a
real
pressing
issue
and
so
I
appreciate
this
specific
bill,
but
also
the
broader
commitments
around
trying
to
advance
this
issue.
It's
probably
one
of
the
most
acute
in
the
communities
I
represent
and
I
know.
Certainly,
our
chairs
are
aware
of
that
and
then
and
really
share
a
commitment
to
want
to
make
sure
we
get
something
done.
So
just
thank
you
so
much
for
being
here.
Thank.
A
F
All
right
good
morning,
mr.
chair,
chair,
Craigan
and
chair
Honan,
thank
you
so
much
for
taking
me
out
of
turn
and
to
the
entire
housing
committee
good
morning.
I
hope
all
is
well
I'm
here,
also
in
support
of
H
for
one
on
five
and
not
authorizing
the
city
of
Boston
to
limit
buildings
according
to
their
use
or
construction,
to
be
specified
districts
again,
my
name
is
Chyna.
Tyler
represent
the
seventh
Suffolk
district
in
the
city
of
Boston
and
I
also
have
been
chair
to
chair.
F
The
Boston
delegation,
which
chairman
Honan
was
the
former
chair
of
eight
years,
and
so
I
just
really
want
to
talk
about
the
bill
really
quickly.
This
bill
does
two
very,
very
important
things
for
Boston.
The
first
thing
is
that
it
gives
Boston
the
ability
to
adjust
linkage
fees
for
developers
of
commercial
buildings
over
1,000
fish
square
feet.
F
Now
I've
witnessed
so
many
difficult
planning
processes
with
developers
who
want
to
develop
in
my
district
of
Roxbury,
and
my
constituents
need
sometimes
goes
unmet
when
it
comes
to
that
situation
and
that's
unacceptable
Boston
is
becoming,
is
booming
and
not
everyone
is
benefiting.
In
fact,
a
lot
of
our
residents.
Very
dire
needs
are
going
unmet.
Boston's
growth
is
putting
more
and
more
pressure
on
the
housing
market
and
driving
rents
and
home
prices
are
going
higher
and
higher.
At
the
same
time,
that
Boston
is
booming.
F
F
Boston's
growth
also
creates
opportunities
for
Bostonians
to
advance
economically,
but
only
if
they
can
access
if
they
can
access
new
jobs
to
offer
them
a
career
ladder
and
a
pathway
to
self-sufficiency,
and
we
need
job
training
programs
to
be
able
to
make
this
happen.
I
just
really
want
to
note
that
we
have
two
very,
very
important
programs
here
in
the
city
of
Boston
that
can
vary.
That
can
benefit
a
great
deal.
F
If
this
bill
is
passed,
one
is
ability
pathways
program,
which
is
a
pre
apprentice
program,
which
happens
to
be
in
my
district,
a
training
program
that
helps
folks
of
any
social
economic
status
get
into
the
Union,
which
is
very
important,
and
we
also
have
Madison
Park
Vocational
Technical
High
School,
which
is
the
only
vocational
tech
high
school
in
my
district
and
those
students
are
amazing.
If
we
give
it
an
opportunity,
they
can
be
able
to
become
self-sufficient,
but
we
have
to
give
them
that
opportunity
to
be
able
to
do
so.
F
Linkage
in
IDP
have
been
very,
very
effective
in
successful
programs
and
the
flexibility
to
be
able
to
change
more
frequently
will
allow
for
Boston
and
better
respond
to
our
our
constituents,
needs
and
I
support
the
effort
to
be
able
to
move
this
bill.
Favorably
out
of
committee
and
I
look
forward
to
working
with.
You
also
be
able
to
do
so
and
happy
to
take
questions.
Do
you
guys
have
any
thank.
A
G
G
Thank
you
for
the
opportunity
submitted
testimony
in
support
of
h4
1
1
5,
the
Home
Rule
petition
to
authorize
the
city
Boston
to
update,
improve
our
linkage
and
inclusionary
development
policies
in
the
midst
of
a
housing
crisis
and
growing
inequality.
Boston
and
other
municipalities
need
every
tool
to
address
growing
rents
and
access
to
jobs.
This
homework
petition
would
enable
the
city
of
Boston
to
have
more
flexibility
to
fund
much-needed,
affordable
housing
and
workforce
training,
while
protecting
the
city's
ability
to
create
and
fund
income
restricted
housing.
G
Both
these
existing
programs
linkage
an
IDP,
have
delivered
significant
resources
to
serve
families
across
the
city.
However,
these
restrictions
around
updating
the
programs
have
meant
Boston
residents
have
lost
out
on
capturing
substantial
resources
in
the
building
boom.
This
Home
Rule
petition
wouldn't
power
the
city
of
Boston
to
provide
more
real-time
solutions
and
accelerate
our
ability
to
connect
families
to
affordable
housing
and
workforce
training.
The
Boston
City
Council
has
deliberated
over
these
changes.
G
Over
a
period
of
several
years
and
led
to
a
wide-ranging
community
coalition
represent
leaders
across
as
many
sectors,
neighborhoods
and
backgrounds
we
stand
united
in
requesting
the
call
the
Commonwealth
and
city
take
every
step
to
recognize
the
need
for
resources
to
support
solutions.
We
are
grateful
for
your
partnership
on
this
and
other
measures
to
match
the
scale
and
urgency
and
the
challenges
across
the
Commonwealth
Thank
you
Thank,
You
Giancarlo,.
A
H
I
Good
morning,
mr.
chairman
members
of
the
committee,
thank
you
very
much
for
the
opportunity
to
come
and
testify
in
favor
of
h4
1
1
5,
the
city's
Home
Rule
petition
regarding
linkage
and
inclusionary
development
policy.
I
am
NOT
going
to
read.
All
of
that.
I
simply
want
to
focus
in
on
the
use
of
the
inclusion,
our
development
policy
to
preserve
existing,
affordable
housing,
where
the
subsidies
are
expiring.
I
Exactly
the
question
that
chairman
asked,
if
you
need
any
specifics,
take
a
look
at
the
second
to
last
paragraph
on
the
first
page
and
then
the
second
one,
over
fenway
cdc
was
able
to
purchase
and
save
97
units
of
affordable
housing
because
of
the
inclusion
area,
development
policy
and
the
work
of
the
city
of
boston.
And,
of
course,
all
their
look
was
I
publics
that
were
involved
so
that
picture
on
the
front
cover
is
the
homes
of
97
families
who've
been
living
there
for
decades?
I
If
we
did
not
have
this
program,
we
wouldn't
have
been
able
to
purchase
this
property
and
keep
it
affordable.
The
owners
feel
familiar
with
the
13a
program.
The
subsidies
have
ended.
It's
gone.
The
owners
have
reported
up
on
the
market,
they
did
so
and
we
were
able
to
cobble
together
all
sorts
of
sources
of
financing,
but
we
used
inclusionary
development
money
from
two
developers
using
their
off-site
requirements
and
also
money
from
the
general
IDP
fund.
So
if
we
didn't
have
that
program,
these
folks
would
probably
be
out
on
the
street
right
now.
I
97
families-
it's
been
affordable
for
decades,
and
it
could
not
have
been
kept
that
way
without
this
program
and
the
other
reason
why
we
we
need
to
support
the
linkage
and
the
IDP
as
the
bill
is
requesting,
is
that
as
we
try
to
answer
the
housing
crisis
in
the
city
and
the
RA
and
others
are
looking
to
up
zone
to
increase
density
in
different
neighborhoods,
the
IDP
is
triggered
by
zoning
variances.
If
you
don't
need
a
zoning
variance,
you
don't
need
to
do
anything
for
inclusion
or
a
development
policy.
I
If
we
change
the
zoning
and
allow
a
developer
to
build
30
or
40
stories
in
a
place
where
you
could
have
only
built,
say
7
and
they
don't
need
a
variance,
then
there's
no
IDP
requirement.
So
what
we're
asking
is
to
put
the
IDP
in
the
zoning
so
that
it
will
apply
all
along
the
board
and
will
also
be
much
stronger
and
then
linkage
is
simply.
You
know
asking
that
the
city
have
the
authority
to
adjust
it
according
to
the
economic
conditions
that
we
face.
A
J
Chairman
hone
and
chairman
Kryten
and
members
of
the
committee
I
am
my
name-
is
Donna
Brown
I
am
the
co-chair
of
mass
Association
of
Community
Development
Corporation's
Boston,
Committee
I'm,
also
a
resident
of
South
Boston
and
the
director
of
South
Boston
Neighborhood
Development
Corporation
I'm
here
to
testify
in
support
of
h41
one-five
legislation,
which
makes
changes
to
the
city
of
Boston's
linkage
program
and
codifies
its
existing
inclusionary
development
policy
into
the
city's
zoning
code
and
on
behalf
of
MA
CDC's
Boston.
Committee
I
want
to
express
our
strong
support
for
this
Home
Rule
petition.
J
Ma
CDC
represents
20
CDC's
in
Boston,
and
many
throughout
the
state
in
Boston,
we've
collectively
built
over
8,000,
affordable
homes
in
the
city.
Our
members
are
governed
locally
by
residents
in
each
neighborhood
who
serve
on
the
boards
of
each
CDC.
Cdc's
in
Boston
are
dedicated
to
long-term
affordability,
high
quality
property
management
and
robust
resident
services.
We
make
a
strong
commitment
to
hiring
firms,
contractors
and
subcontractors
that
are
owned
by
people
of
color
and
women
and
are
committed
to
hiring
community
residents
and
people
of
color
for
construction
projects.
J
As
you
know,
Boston
is
a
national
leader
in
affordable
housing,
with
over
one-third
of
our
rental
housing
stock
reserve
for
people
of
low
and
moderate
income.
According
to
the
2018
update,
the
city
of
Boston
2030
plan,
22%
of
all
Boston
households,
are
currently
paying
more
than
half
of
their
income
for
housing
because
of
the
strong
demand
for
housing
in
our
city
and
the
increase
in
population.
J
In
my
neighborhood
of
South
Boston,
we've
seen
unprecedented
growth
and
the
resulting
increases
in
rents
that
have
led
to
displacement
of
families
and
of
the
elderly,
and
therefore
we
firmly
support
this
Home
Rule
petition.
It
will
require
significant
resources
to
address
the
need
for
Boston
to
reach
its
goals
of
16,000
new,
affordable
units.
This
petition
will
help
us
do
that
by
strengthening
two
of
our
most
successful
programs.
J
Linkage
and
IDP
and,
as
other
speakers
have
indicated,
IDP
is
critical
to
addressing
both
economic
diversity
of
an
area.
That's
under
intense
development
like
the
South
Boston
waterfront,
but
it
also
creates
off-site
opportunities
to
leverage
those
monies
for
affordable
housing
within
the
South
Boston
neighborhood
and
we've
used
it
several
times
to
leverage
affordable
housing
for
veterans.
J
For
the
elderly
and
for
working
people,
the
Home
Rule
petition
would
give
Boston
the
authority
to
incorporate
IDP
into
its
zoning
code,
and
we
need
this
ability
so
that,
as
the
city
up
zones
and
areas,
the
IDP
will
be
triggered
automatically
through
the
zoning
code,
rather
than
only
for
projects
that
need
a
zoning
variance.
Thank
you
for
the
opportunity
to
testify
in
support
of
the
Home
Rule
petition.
We
stand
ready
to
work
with
the
committee
and
our
legislative
leadership
and
the
administration
to
move
this
forward.
Thank.
A
E
A
H
K
You,
mr.
chairman
and
members
of
committee
to
all
the
advocates
that
are
here,
but
particularly
mr.
champio
work
in
housing
for
for
a
long
period
of
time
and
appreciate
your
you
know,
support
of
this
bill
and
I,
don't
think.
There's
a
more
important
piece
of
legislation
will
pass
this
session.
I
know
that
Ms
Brown
had
just
discussed
the
issues
facing
the
community
of
South
Boston
that
a
reflective
of
challenges
citywide
and
how
this
would
allow
us
to
capture
more
value
from
development.
K
Earlier
this
hearing
was
testified.
Mayor,
along
with
the
council,
head
was
on
behalf
of
the
City
Council
and
their
work
and
some
piece
of
legislation
that
they
worked
on
and
all
recently
passed,
but
I
think
you
know
I
feel,
like
we've
been
in
a
housing
crisis
since
I
got
elected
in
2010,
and
this
bill
couldn't
come
at
a
better
time.
I
think
it's
long
overdue
and
I'm
grateful
that
combination
of
city
leaders
advocates
and
now
us
at
the
state
are
taking
this
really
seriously.
K
Because
if
we're
gonna
have
you
know
such
continued
and
dramatic
roles,
and
we
need
to
find
a
way
to
capture
more
of
that
value
and
share
it
back
with
the
public.
And
this
could
do
that,
along
with
coupled
with
an
increased
strategy
for
the
disbursement
of
public
land,
to
help
leverage
real
estate
costs
as
well.
I
think
could
have
a
major
impact
and
you
know
not
to
shift
kids,
but
also
to
take
the
opportunity
to
push.
You
know
the
advocates
in
the
room
to
continue
as
well
with
the
legislature
pushing
the
Housing
Choice
Act.
K
That
would
have
a
dramatic
impact
on
our
ability
to
build
affordable
housing
across
the
region
so
as
we're
handling
this
as
a
city
in
the
city
of
Boston,
while
other
communities
aren't
meeting
their
obligations
and
it
makes
it
even
more
important.
This
legislation
passes
so
I.
Ask
that
it
passes
with
unanimous
support
in
this
committee
and
hope
that
we
can
continue
moving
it
forward
to
the
legislative
process.
Thank.
L
Good
morning,
hi
I'm
Shamika
Moreno
I'm
from
the
Coalition
of
affordable
housing
I'm
a
resident
also
a
Volks
Barry
I
grew
up
here
and
I'm.
Now
raising
my
five
children
here,
my
neighbors
are
gone
without
the
necessities
of
having
to
choose
between
utilities,
food
childcare
or
to
pay
rent,
because
most
of
these
families
are
raised
by
single
mothers.
L
A
lot
of
these
young
men
are
turning
to
criminal
activity
to
help
your
mother
stay
afloat,
which
then
causes
the
crime
rate
to
go
up
in
a
community
I
raised
myself,
I
was
raising
myself
and
my
children
are
the
reason
I
myself
have
been
homeless
twice
through
the
high
ranks.
This
is
a
tool
that
Boston
needs.
L
M
N
My
name
is
Angela
I'm
a
resident
in
Chinatown
in
21,
Attenborough,
Street
apartment,
2d
I
came
to
the
US
and
2013.
Since
I
arrived
in
Chinatown
in
in
Boston.
You
know
really.
The
housing
finding
housing
was
very
difficult.
I
live
in
an
apartment,
a
one-bedroom
apartment
with
my
wife
and
my
daughter,
and
is
$1400
a
month
and
I
work
as
a
cook
in
a
restaurant
and
I
work,
many
many
hours
and
with
a
significant
amount
of
income
towards
rent.
N
If
we
want
communities
like
Chinatown
to
have
stable
housing,
we
are
to
increase
the
amount
affordable
housing
available
to
people
in
the
community.
People
like
me
and
I
have
actually
put
in
many
applications
in
affordable
housing,
either
through
lottery,
programs
or
PHA.
I
have
been
asked
to
wait,
and
you
know
it
feels
almost
I
won't
be
able
to
get
a
subsidized
unit
until
I'm,
like
retired.
N
M
M
M
N
So
I
also
want
to
emphasize
the
importance
of
people
in
the
community
can
stay
in
their
community,
and
you
know
it's
it's
really
for
survival,
that
people
live
in
their
communities
and
I.
Think
that
for
me
you
know,
besides
the
fact
that
you
know
housing
is
important,
but
my
everyday
life
where
my
daughter
go
to
school.
You
know
where
we
go
see
the
doctor
and
it's
all
important
for
us
to
stay.
N
You
know
in
Chinatown
because
of
that
we
also
seem
that
in
Chinatown
you
know
you
have
a
family
of
two
three
or
four
squeezed
into
one
bedroom
because
of
the
rising
housing
cost
and
that's
the
way
you
know
for
people
to
stay
in
their
community.
If
we
don't
do
that,
you
know
like
a
lot
of
other
things.
Their
lives
could
fall
apart
and
you
know
I
would
like
to
provide
better
for
my
daughter.
N
I
would
like
to
have
a
bigger
apartment
where
we
she
actually
has
her
own
bedroom,
but
we're
under
a
lot
of
financial
or
economic
pressure.
You
know
because
we
know
that
having
stable
housing,
meaning
that
I
have
a
stable
job
and-
and
we
all
know
that
rent
is
going
up
significantly
faster
than
people's
income,
and
so
you
know
this
is
something
that
we
are
to
look
into
find
every
way
we
can
to
help
people
in
need.
N
N
So
in
the
last
since
2000
you
know,
Chinatown's
housing
stock
has
doubled,
whereas
chinatown
used
to
be
a
majority,
low-income
housing
community-
and
you
know
almost
two
decades
later-
the
chart
completely
flipped
now
we're
majority
luxury
housing
community.
So
the
makeup
of
affordable
housing
in
2000
is
the
sixty
two
point:
five
percent
and
now
the
makeup
of
market
rate
housing
in
Chinatown
is
fifty
two
point:
nine
percent
and
then
also
besides
the
fact.
A
lot
more
luxury
housing,
but
also
housing
costs,
has
gone
up
a
lot
today.
N
I
just
looked
up
Kensington
one
of
the
buildings
in
Chinatown
that
was
completed
around
twenty
fourteen,
a
one-bedroom
apartment,
the
starting
rent
is
thirty
six
hundred
and
for
some
of
the
training
Tong
residents
like
mr.
ma
that
could
be
their
entire
income
for
the
month
or
even
less
so
you
know
so.
There's
a
real
housing
crisis
in
the
inclusionary
development
policy
and
language
requirement
play
a
critical
role
for
city
of
Boston
to
provide
affordable
housing,
to
preserve,
affordable
housing
and
for
workforce
vocational
training.
N
So
the
you
know,
it's
not
constantly
asking
the
state
for
authorization,
so
you
know
so
you
know
we
talked
about
the
Cinch
I
mean
the
mayor
was
in
Chinatown
yesterday
and
we
talked
about
all
these.
You
know
housing
policies,
you
know
it's
about.
You
know
the
heart
and
so
of
a
city
that
making
sure
you
know
we
Boston
State
stay
alive,
Brent
community
and
that
you
know,
and
that
one
of
the
ways
to
do
that
is
making
sure
that
housing
is
a
human
right.
N
O
Good
afternoon,
chairman
Honan
and
members
of
the
committee,
thank
you
for
the
opportunity
to
testify
on
this
important
Home
Rule
petition.
My
name
is
cortina
van
and
I'm,
a
resident
of
Dorchester
born
and
raised
in
Boston
and
I'm
here
on
behalf
of
Massachusetts,
affordable
housing
alliance
Maha,
to
express
our
strong
support
for
house
41.
15
moneth
mission
is
to
educate
and
mobilize
individuals
and
communities
to
break
down
barriers
and
increase,
affordable,
sustainable
homeownership
opportunities
through
education
and
civic
engagement.
We
are
committed
to
reducing
the
racial
homeownership
gap
in
Boston
and
throughout
the
state
right
now.
O
The
racial
divide
is
stark.
44%
of
white
households
in
Boston
owned
their
own
homes.
That
figure
is
29
percent
for
black
households,
26%
for
Asian
households
in
just
seven
16
percent
for
Latinos.
That
means
our
households
of
color
are
not
able
to
stabilize
our
housing
and
build
assets.
The
same
way
that
many
of
our
white
neighbors
are
doing.
It
also
means
we're
being
disproportionately
impacted
by
every
increasing
rent
building
sales
and
other
housing
crises
that
result
in
homelessness
and
displacement,
while
the
housing
situation
in
Boston
is
especially
bad
for
our
black
Latino
and
Asian
neighbors.
O
We
know
that
home
prices
in
the
city
are
well
beyond
the
reach
of
very
large
fractions
of
all
working
families,
as
well
as
young
professionals
that
our
employees
need
to
recruit
and
retain.
This
is
a
social
and
racial
justice
issue,
there's
also
an
economic
issue
for
the
entire
Greater
Boston
region.
We
are
attracting
lots
of
jobs,
but
we
don't
have
an
nearly
enough
housing
that
low
and
moderate
middle
income
workers
might
take
those
jobs
that
can
can't
afford
it.
O
Maha
is
gonna
continue
to
partner
with
the
city
and
others
to
advocate
for
additional
state
and
federal
funding,
particularly
for
homeownership
programs.
As
we
work
at
the
state
and
federal
levels,
we
must
also
adopt
local
policies
and
increase
local
funding
for
homes
and
that
our
homebuyers
can
afford.
Maha
expects
to
graduate
over
1600
people
from
homebuyer
classes
this
year.
That
means
every
month
we're
adding
a
hundred
and
thirty
five
perspective,
first-time
homebuyers
to
the
Boston
housing
market,
where
there
is
almost
nothing
that
it
can
afford.
O
Most
of
our
graduates
have
to
win
a
homeownership
lottery
or
move
away
from
the
city.
In
many
cases
our
buyers
have
good
jobs
and
have
great
credit,
but
they
still
don't
qualify
for
market
rate
homes.
Many
cannot
afford
the
lottery
homes.
We
believe
that
households
with
incomes
of
fifty
to
a
hundred
thousand
deserve
a
chance
to
sink
roots
in
Boston
and
we're
working
with
DNC
and
other
partners
to
make
it
to
make
it
possible
to
accomplish
our
goals.
The
city
needs
the
authority
to
adjust
our
local
revenue
sources
and
local
policies
as
conditions
require.
O
This
petition
would
give
Boston
authority
to
justice.
Linkage
policy
is
necessary
to
mitigate
the
impact
of
new
commercial
development
on
demands
for
housing
and
job
training.
I
see
my
time
is
running
out,
so
try
to
get
to
a
point
and
I
concur
with
everything
that
I
want
to
has
said
this
policy
changes
policy
needs
to
happen.
We
want
to
make
sure
that
families
are
able
to
afford
to
buy
and
we
just
need
to
get
back
to
the
basics
of
taking
care
of
each
other,
like
we've
always
done,
and
do
that
and
I.
O
P
Thank
Thank
You
mr.
chairman,
feel
a
little
sheepish
cut
him
a
line
but
yeah
I'm,
Kenzie,
Bach
I'm
newly
elected
councillor
taking
office
January
6th
in
Boston
also
come
from
actually
I've
been
testifying
before
this
committee
before
on
behalf
of
the
Boston
Housing
Authority
on
the
public,
housing
side
and
I'm
also
proud
to
be
on
the
board
of
the
mass
affordable
housing
alliance.
Cortina
just
spoke
on
our
behalf.
There
I
think
the
the
thing
I
wanted
to
come
and
say
today
is
just
that.
P
The
reality
is,
as
we
all
know,
that
the
public
sector
in
this
country
never
step
fully
up
to
providing
housing
and
has
in
recent
decades
really
step
back,
and
that
means
that
when
we
talk
about
housing,
our
low-income
and
middle-income
neighbors
in
Boston,
we
are
talking
about
private
side
solutions
as
well,
and
yet
the
the
resources
just
haven't
been
there
and
I
think
you
know.
Many
of
us
in
this
room
have
come
and
asked
the
state
to
help
to
provide
more
of
those
resources
on
the
public
side.
But
the
reality
is.
P
If
we
really
want
to
provide
private
partnership,
we
need
tools
for
having
inclusive
growth
and,
having
you
know,
the
booming
of
the
city
actually
be
good
for
everyone
and
I.
Think
linkage
was
a
revolutionary
policy
when
it
came
in
decades
ago
for
Boston
to
ensure
that
kind
of
connection,
but
it
just
hasn't
kept
pace
and
and
as
we
look
at
IDP
and
linkage,
both
they're
really
important
tools
for
the
city
to
ensure
that
inclusive
growth
and
the
city
needs
the
full
rain
to
use
them.
P
So
I
think
I've
I've
been
a
supporter
and
cheerleader
of
the
really
broad
coalition
that
you
see
in
this
room,
pushing
to
update
those
and
I'm
really
glad.
Mr.
chairman,
that
he
filed
it
here
this
session
and
I
would
just
say
that
we,
it
is
so
much
harder
to
get
people
back
into
our
city
than
to
keep
them
there
like,
and
if
we
lose
our
families,
we're
just
not
going
to
be
able
to
bring
that
economic
diversity
back
into
the
city,
and
so
I
think.
P
That's
why
you
feel
the
palpable
sense
of
urgency
in
this
room,
and
so
I
would
just
I
would
I
would
urge
you
all
to
give
us
this
tool
and
these
set
of
tools
to
keep
a
more
inclusive
City,
and
to
just
remember
that
that's
that's
really.
What
a
city
is
all
about,
like
Boston
isn't
Boston
if
it
becomes
a
playground
only
for
people
who
have
enough
money
to
pay
top
dollar
and
I.
Think
what's
exciting
is
being
able
to
harness
harness
the
growth
for
our
lowest
income
and
middle
income.
P
Bostonians
and
one
of
the
things
I
saw
at
the
VHA
was
that
was
the
frustration
of
seeing
that
when
we
had
secured
public
housing
resources,
we
then
still
had
these
growing
wait
lists,
because
our
families
that
we're
doing
a
little
bit
better
didn't
have
a
path
to
that
next
rung
of
the
housing
ladder
and
our
IDP
units
really
helped
us
provide
that
missing
rung.
So
I
I
would
just
want
to
say
that
I
strongly
support
this
bill.
P
Q
Q
After
the
earthquake,
I
came
to
the
United
States
today,
I'm
a
proud,
Boston,
Palazzo,
Hotel
Houseman,
thanks
to
a
soil
and
job
training
programs
funded
by
the
city
when
I
arrived
in
the
United,
States
I
felt,
lost,
I
didn't
speak
English
and
that
made
it
difficult
to
get
job.
I
studied
English
at
a
BCG
in
Mattapan,
endangering
best
program
training
program
for
carries
in
the
hospitality
industry.
Q
Both
city
funded
programs
I'm
grateful
to
best
for
providing
me
resources
and
job
training
to
get
quality,
hospitality
job
and
start.
My
new
career
I
learned
how
to
clean
a
room
without
in
my
back
I
learned
about
hotel
benzene
I
got
CPR
certified
now
I
can
do
an
interview.
I
know
how
to
introduce
myself
how
to
talk
about
myself
and
how
to
ask
questions
after
graduation,
the
Plaza,
Hotel
I
read
me
and
that
changed
my
life
I'm
very
happy
to
work
in
one
of
greatest
hotels
in
Boston
I.
Consider
my
utilize.
Q
My
second
room
I
have
learned
that
here
in
America,
your
relationships
with
people
are
the
most
important
thing.
People
are
more
valuable
than
material
things,
and
now,
with
my
job
at
Park,
Plaza
I
have
the
most
important
thing.
I'm
now,
a
local
mini
six
and,
as
a
part
of
my
benefit,
I
continue
to
study
English
at
best
every
day.
I
try
to
challenge
myself.
I
want
to
continue
to
learn
and
work
in
different
positions
in
the
hotel
in
the
hotel,
I
love
it.
Q
R
Hi
everybody
I'm
airline
in
theory
and
I'm,
very
grateful
to
be
here.
I
live
at
660
Washington
and
to
really
get
into
it.
I
was
in
a
relationship
for
13
years,
so
I
had
I
had
another
person
to
help
me
with
rent
right.
So
when
I
left
that
relationship
I
needed
a
place
to
go
and
being
born
in
Brighton
I
am
a
true
bus.
Tonin
like
Boston
is
my
home
and
I
love
it
so
much
when
I
found
the
program
that
helped
me
find
this
space.
R
It
it
changed
my
world
and
it
made
me,
feel
really
secure
and
now
I
live
in
a
building
where
I
feel
safe,
I
feel
comfortable.
I
have
two
combatants.
The
vet
is
three
blocks
down
from
me:
I
walk
them
there
and
it's.
It's
helped.
My
quality
of
life
and
I.
Don't
drive
so
I.
Take
the
treat
the
tea
everywhere,
and
it's
just
been
something
that
has
changed
my
life.
That's
really
all
that
I
have
to
say.
Thank
you.
Thank
you.
S
How
has
this
affected
my
life
I
would
say
absolutely
for
the
better,
since
moving
to
the
Beverly
I've
been
able
to
enjoy
living
in
a
more
centralized
and
accessible
location
within
the
city.
That's
a
game.
Changer
I
can
walk
to
the
grocery
store.
I
can
walk
to
the
theater.
My
son
can
walk
to
school,
which
is
great,
I
have
direct
access
to
the
MBTA
orange
and
green
lines,
TD
Garden
in
downtown
shopping.
S
The
stress
of
whether
I
can
afford
a
place
for
myself
and
my
family
is
no
longer
on
the
forefront.
I
can
reside
my
energy
and
thoughts
to
other
get
equally
important
matters
such
as
how
will
I
choose
to
live
rather
where
I'm
gonna
live,
and,
although
I
consider
myself
blessed
and
grateful
for
this
opportunity,
if
we're
honest
with
ourselves,
the
truth
is
affordable.
Housing
shouldn't
be
a
privilege;
it
should
be
a
right
and,
in
part,
is
fundamental
to
the
healthy
evolution
of
a
world-class
city
such
as
Boston.
S
T
T
T
Because
of
plumbers,
local
12
I'm
able
to
make
fair
wages,
my
whole
family
has
health
care
and
I'm
sure
you
guys
know
how
important
that
is
what
little
kids
know
we
can
afford
a
home.
We
believe
in
good
jobs
in
good
homes,
for
everybody,
building
pathways
in
the
unions
have
changed
so
many
lives
have
saved
so
many
lives.
T
U
Good
morning,
my
name
is
Priscilla,
Williams
and
I'm
here
today,
because
I'm,
a
double
beneficiary
of
the
linkage
funds
program,
I,
currently
reside
in
the
flats
Rd
in
South
Boston
seaport
area
across
from
the
lawns
and
I
got
into
the
flats
on
D
and
2015
through
a
housing
lottery
when
I
wasn't
even
looking.
But
I
was
fortunate
to
move
in
through
there
after
staying
in
a
shelter
for
about
three
and
a
half
years
with
my
child
from
2011,
so
I'm
very
fortunate
to
have
benefited
from
access
to
affordable
and
desirable
housing.
U
U
Urge
I
want
to
thank
you
guys
for
the
opportunity
to
testify
and
I
urge
you
guys
to
immediately
approve
and
increase
the
linkage
fee
so
that
others
can
participate
in
problems
like
programs
like
YMCA,
trainee,
Inc
and
the
jobs,
training
Alliance,
and
many
of
you
may
be
skeptical
or
resistant
to
acknowledge
the
impact
of
these
programs
that
they're
having
on
graduates.
But
I
am
here
to
provide
testimony
that
the
YMCA
training
Inc
has
profoundly
changed.
U
My
life
has
continued
to
shape
my
professional
desires
and
trajectory
I,
currently
work
for
the
Boston
Housing
Authority
as
a
resident
capacity
program
coordinator
in
support
of
the
elderly
disabled
portfolio.
So,
as
many
of
you
have
mentioned,
the
Boston
Housing
Authority
is
committed
to
preserving
housing
and
providing
resources
and
programming
to
residents
moving
forward
within
the
first
month
of
attending
the
program
at
YMCA
training
Inc.
They
demonstrated
their
commitment
to
both
me
in
their
mission.
U
There
was
a
problem
with
my
welfare
benefits
and
they
offered
a
tea
pass
to
allow
me
to
remain
in
the
program
and
to
shore
success
and
graduation
I'm,
one
of
the
thousands
of
residents
who
have
maximized
the
opportunities
afforded
to
me
by
graduating
from
the
YMCA
training
Inc.
Many
of
my
colleagues
were
taxpaying
citizens
prior
to
being
faced
with
homelessness
or
setting
job
loss.
Participating
in
these
programs
has
allowed
us
a
leg
up
and
an
opportunity
to
better
navigate
the
terrain.
U
Many
other
graduates
were
able
to
secure
employment
for
the
first
time.
All
of
this
was
made
possible
by
the
commitment
and
funding
to
the
job
trust
alliance,
in
partnership
with
state
leaders
and
the
legislature.
Since
graduation
I
have
completed
my
bachelor's
at
double
masters
and
I'm
working
to
further
Eve
equalized,
the
playing
field
for
others.
I
want
to
thank
you
for
the
time
to
testify
and
strongly
encourage
you
to
approve
the
linkage.
V
Hi,
my
name
is
a
munition
I'm
here
from
JVs,
Boston
and
I
represent
the
job
training
Alliance,
the
group
of
25
nonprofit
job
training
providers,
Thank
You,
chairman
Honan,
chairman
Clayton,
and
the
members
of
the
committee
for
having
us
here
today
to
testify
in
support
of
h41
1:5
I'm,
especially
grateful
also
to
mayor
Walsh
and
his
administration,
and
the
members
of
the
Boston
City
Council,
who
we've
met
with
many
times
and
worked
on
this.
Thank
you
also
to
chairman
Honan
for
filing
the
bill
here.
V
Well,
this
legislation
makes
adjustments
to
both
the
IDP
and
linkage
programs
and
I
believe
that
access
to
affordable
housing
is
an
important
tool
in
helping
all
Bostonians
reach
self-sufficiency.
I'm
gonna
focus
today
on
the
jobs
linkage
program.
While
linkage
is
often
thought
of
as
an
affordable
housing
program.
There
is
a
portion
of
the
linkage
fees
that
fund
job
training
programs
in
the
city
of
Boston
linkage.
Funds
remain
vital
to
funding
job
training
programs
in
the
city
of
Boston.
V
Today,
there
remain
close
to
no
federal
money
available
for
job
training
in
the
Commonwealth
and
a
very
small
amount
of
dedicated
funds
at
the
state
level
through
W
CTF.
Unfortunately,
there's
an
misperception
that
job
training
is
not
effective
and
a
poor
use
of
the
city's
resources.
This
is
absolutely
not
true
of
the
job
training
provided
by
community-based
organizations
in
the
job,
training,
Alliance
and
all
those
who
receive
linkage
funding
to
ensure
our
success.
V
In
fact,
the
way
that
we're
funded
is
that
we
received
half
of
our
money
upfront
to
cover
operating
expenses
and
the
other
half.
We
earn
placement
by
policemen
ensuring
successful
joining
in
the
workforce
of
our
participants.
A
few
years
ago,
the
JTA
commissioned
a
large-scale
impact
study
that
came
back
with
remarkable
results
on
the
efficacy
of
community-based
organizations,
job
training,
programs
and
our
results.
We
know
that
we're
highly
effective,
and
we
know
this
because
we
have
strong
employer
connections.
V
We
provide
wraparound
supports
that
you
heard
Priscilla
talk
about
and
we
do
labor
market
analysis,
so
we
only
develop
top
training
programs
that
lead
to
quality
jobs.
The
recipients
of
the
job
training
programs,
which
are
selected
through
an
open
and
competitive
RFP
process
run
by
the
city,
also
tailor
their
services
to
populations
facing
unique
barriers
to
employment,
people
with
disabilities,
older
workers,
single
parents,
immigrants
returning
citizens
and
homeless
veterans
after
job
placement.
Graduates
of
these
programs
earned
an
average
wage
of
1537
an
hour
with
76%
earning
benefits
as
well
impressive
results
for
these
target
populations.
V
The
program
also
helped
contribute
to
an
estimated
70
percent
decrease
in
participants
use
of
public
assistance,
while
helping
the
Commonwealth
generate
revenue
through
their
earned
income
taxes.
The
job
training
Alliance
is
proud
to
utilize
job
linkage,
funds
to
bring
those
with
barriers
to
employment
into
the
Boston
job
market.
In
this
tight
labor
market,
where
employers
are
desperate
for
talent
there,
our
Boston
residents,
who,
with
the
support
of
job
training,
can
fill
those
current
vacancies.
V
A
W
W
It's
very
important
to
get
this
Home
Rule
petition
passed.
We
really
appreciate
your
leadership
and
filing
it
there's
some
urgency
in
in
Brighton,
as
you
know,
and
Warren
Vall
and
Babcock
towers.
Getting
these
additional
resources
will
help
with
Warren
Hall
and
if
we
can
get
the
attention
of
the
large
New
York
owner
that
still
won't
talk
to
people,
but
getting
the
resources
together
is
critical.
It
did
work
for
the
tenants
at
Newcastle
saranac,
it's
a
13,
a
building
in
the
South
End
Richard
I
know
mentioned
earlier.
W
The
tenants
there
led
that
fight
I
brought
the
Fenway
CDC
and
Ric
Hanken
in
to
buy
the
building
and
a
20
million
dollar
IDP
grant.
The
tenants
testified
to
get
that
was
critical
to
make
that
deal
work.
It's
a
similar
building
called
Burbank
Gardens
in
the
Fenway,
where
these
resources
were
also
helpful
and
the
principle
is
to
try
to
tap
into
the
enormous
wealth
that
is
being
built
in
Boston.
The
original
idea
for
this
came
from
Copley
Place
intensity.
W
There
was
a
linkage
commitment
for
that
for
that
development,
37
million
dollars
that
have
eventually
built
tent
city,
without
that
it
wouldn't
have
happened,
and
that
was
the
model
for
the
original
linkage
Jordan.
So
getting
this
codified,
more
permanent
is
really
critical.
We
appreciate
your
support.
Thank
you,
Michael.
Thank
you.