Each summer, residents of the Old Colony Housing Development host an annual Unity Day, a well-attended block party hosted by and for its residents in conjunction with the Boston Housing Authority (BHA). This year, City agencies, including the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC), the Boston Water and Sewer Commission (BWSC) and Greenovate Boston will join residents to encourage consumption of healthy food and beverages, particularly tap water, and to promote smoke-free homes. Giveaways, raffles and fun, kid-friendly activities will appeal to all members of the family.

The fledgling U.S. housing recovery lost momentum last year as homeownership rates continued to fall, single-family construction remained near historic lows, and existing home sales cooled, concludes The State of the Nation’s Housing report released today by the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University. In contrast, rental markets continued to grow, fueled by another large increase in the number of renter households. However, with rents rising and incomes well below pre-recession levels, the U.S. is also seeing record numbers of cost-burdened renters, including more renter households higher up the income scale

Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) announced a $200,000 grant for Goodwill Industries of Central Illinois, Inc. in Peoria. The grant is awarded through the U.S. Department of Labor’s Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP). HVRP is the only federal program that focuses exclusively on employment of homeless veterans.

The Commonwealth’s Economic Assistance Coordinating Council (EACC) approved 16 projects for participation in the Economic Development Incentive Program (EDIP). These projects are expected to create 606 new jobs and retain 879 jobs throughout Massachusetts, while leveraging approximately $197.8 million in private investment

The Boston Bar Foundation – the charitable affiliate of the Boston Bar Association – announced today that it will provide $950,000 in grants to 23 community organizations that work to provide legal services to those in need. Approximately 40% of the funding is comprised of proceeds from the BBF's annual John & Abigail Adams Benefit and BBF reserves, with the remainder derived from Interest on Lawyer Trust Account (IOLTA) funds.

The Boston Transportation Department, in cooperation with the Hyde Park community, the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services and Boston City Councilor Timothy McCarthy, is pleased to announce that it has developed a plan aimed at improving traffic circulation in Hyde Park’s Cleary Square. Components of the new design will be implemented on Tuesday evening, July 7th. Local drivers are advised to watch for the modifications when traveling through the area

Hammond agent Noel Atamian recently represented the buyer client in connection with the $3,475,000 sale of 14 Lathrop Road in Wellesley, a stunning new construction home located in one of Boston’s premier suburbs

Denise Mosher of Hammond Residential Real Estate in Weston recently represented the seller client in connection with the $3,070,920 sale of 85 Robin Road in Weston, an elegant colonial-style house built by renowned craftsman David Kane in one of Boston’s premier suburbs

-The Baker-Polito administration today released the Fiscal Year 2016 (FY16) capital budget, including a $2.125 billion bond cap on General Obligation Bonds, the same level as Fiscal Year 2015, and an accompanying spending plan that invests in communities by budgeting for Chapter 90 transportation funding, extends the Accelerated Bridge Program, makes critical investments in economic development and devotes significant funds toward fixing and maintaining state assets

Congressman Jim McGovern (MA-02) joined the MetroWest legislative delegation to announce they have worked successfully with the Baker-Polito administration and the Central MA Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) to restore the I-495/Rte. 9 project in their Long Range Transportation Plan, Mobility 2040.

Congressman Jim McGovern (MA-02) joined Worcester community leaders to participate in the first West Boylston Street Beautification Project and tree planting. Community members and volunteers came together to plant 30 trees along the stretch of West Boylston Street across from the Greendale Fire Station

Congressman Jim McGovern (MA-02) and Congresswoman Niki Tsongas (MA-03) joined business and community leaders at the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce (NCM) in Fitchburg to announce that the NCM’s Development Corporation has been designated by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) as a Microlender for local small businesses. The SBA presented the NCM’s Development Corporation with a check of $500,000 for the microloan program.

Despite a strong first quarter, industry leaders are warning that future solar growth in Massachusetts is being jeopardized because net energy metering (NEM) caps have been reached in many areas of the state. These caps have been hit because of the exploding popularity of solar – evidenced by a 150 percent increase in new solar capacity in the first quarter of 2015, compared to the same quarter a year ago.

Governor Charlie Baker today announced a $1.25 million funding increase for the Shannon Grant program to support regional and multi-disciplinary approaches to combat gang and youth violence. Communities and organizations from Pittsfield to Boston will see a funding boost to combat youth violence this summer

As Congressional Republicans continue to threaten repeal of the Affordable Care Act, today, Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), authors of the Independence At Home (IAH) program in the health care reform law, hailed initial savings of $25 million for the pilot program. The Independence At Home Demonstration provides chronically ill Medicare beneficiaries with primary care services in the home setting