Monthly Archives: October 2015

Congressman Jim McGovern, Bipartisan Group Urge HHS to Release Home Heating Assistance Funding

Congressman Jim McGovern (D-MA) was joined by Representatives Peter Welch (D-VT), Alma S. Adams (D-NC), and Lou Barletta (R-PA), along with 71 other Members of Congress in sending a letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Sylvia Burwell to urge for the swift release of Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funding.

Massachusetts Home Buying Remains Strong through ‘Back-to-School’ Season in Septembe

The Massachusetts Association of REALTORS® (MAR) reported today that the traditional “back-to-school” season didn’t slow buyer activity in September as pending home sales went up over 35 percent from the same month last year. REALTORS® confidence in the market was high in September as the REALTOR® Market Confidence and Price Indexes were both up from September 2014. This month’s “Hot Topic” question finds that the majority of REALTORS® don’t believe the August stock market correction will impact future closed sales

Tsongas introduces bill to create urban green space

Congresswoman Niki Tsongas today introduced new legislation to help urban communities turn blighted environments into public parks or other usable green spaces, while creating jobs in communities with elevated unemployment.

Mayor Walsh Releases RFP for Tech Platform to Coordinate Housing Vacancies for the Homeless

As outlined in the City of Boston's Action Plan to End Veterans and Chronic Homelessness, Mayor Martin J. Walsh announced today that the City of Boston is seeking a vendor to create the City's first-ever Coordinated Access system (CA) - a single platform that providers, housing owners and the City will use to match homeless individuals with available housing paired with supportive services.

Mayor Walsh Announces $3 Million in Capital Upgrades to Elderly and Disabled Public Housing

Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced $3 million in capital upgrades to 22 elderly and disabled public housing developments throughout the City of Boston. The Boston Housing Authority (BHA) is providing the upgrades to common areas of the developments to create a warmer and more welcoming environment, and an improved quality of life for residents.

Attorney Sentenced to Prison for Role in Massive Mortgage Fraud Scam

Michael R. Anderson, 46, of Framingham, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Douglas P. Woodlock to two years in prison, two years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $11,048,212 in restitution and forfeit $7,413,712. In January 2011, Anderson pleaded guilty to sixteen counts of wire fraud, nine counts of bank fraud, and two counts of engaging in unlawful monetary transactions.

Governor Baker Appoints Linn Torto to Spearhead Homelessness Efforts

Governor Charlie Baker today announced the appointment of Linn Torto as the Executive Director of the Interagency Council on Housing and Homelessness (ICHH), spearheading the administration’s efforts to end homelessness through the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS), Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development (EOHED) and respective agencies. A veteran of state government, Torto brings extensive public and private sector experience in housing and policy development.

Corcoran Jennison Associates chosen to redevelop the Charlestown public housing development

Corcoran Jennison Associates has been tapped by the Boston Housing Authority as the developer to initiate the redevelopment plan for the largest public housing development in the City of Boston.  At 1,100 units, the plan for the Charlestown public housing community will be to demolish and rebuild it into a mixed-income community that preserves the existing low-income apartments.

McGovern Announces $2.25 Million U.S. Treasury Award to Cooperative Fund of New England

Congressman Jim McGovern (MA-02), announced the award of $2.25 million to the Cooperative Fund of New England (CFNE) from the U.S. Department of Treasury's Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund to support CFNE's cooperative business lending, healthy food financing, and technical assistance programs.

Mayor Walsh Appoints Director of Fair Housing & Equity

Mayor Martin J. Walsh announced today the appointment of Janine Anzalota as Director of the Mayor's Office of Fair Housing & Equity for the City of Boston. She has served as interim Director for the department since this past July

Boston Releases Building Energy Metrics to Advance Climate Goals

The City of Boston released today the first year of energy metrics for large buildings – including an interactive map for Boston residents to see their building energy and water usage – as part of its energy reporting and disclosure program

Recent

AG Healey Secures $2 Million in Restitution for 20,000 Massachusetts Homeowners...

One of the nation’s largest mortgage servicers will pay $2 million in restitution to resolve allegations that it violated state law and committed unfair and deceptive practices by charging Massachusetts homeowners for unnecessary fees and overpriced force-placed insurance policies, Attorney General Maura Healey announced today