Both State Sen. Jamie Eldridge and U.S. Rep. Lori Trahan advocated for increased housing affordability this week. Eldridge met with community leaders and advanced his legislation, while Trahan secured additional funding for community development organizations in Massachusetts.
Often characterized as a crisis, housing shortages and higher prices have befallen the country. According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC), 7.2 million households currently lack access to affordable housing in the United States, with 170,000 of these households residing in Massachusetts. Furthermore, the NLIHC explains that in no state can a minimum-wage worker afford a two-bedroom apartment.
Eldridge joined David Linsky (D-5th Middlesex), Jack Lewis (D-7th Middlesex), and Maria Duaime Robinson (D-6th Middlesex) in serving as panelists at the One Family 2019 Retreat Friday, March 22. One Family is a group that “aims to prevent homelessness and break the cycle of family poverty in Massachusetts by promoting pathways to economic independence through advocacy, education, and innovation,” according to its website. At the panel, Eldridge called for more statewide legislation to address the affordable housing crisis in Massachusetts.
Eldridge has also sponsored two pieces of legislation to increase the affordability of housing. The first would increase capital outlay and production incentives for the construction of affordable housing (S.799). The second would create a Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP) to offer vouchers to assist low-income residents in affording housing (2.797).
At the national level, Trahan obtained $745,000 in federal grant funding for community development organizations Wednesday, March 21. Funding will be directed toward Lawrence CommunityWorks (LCW) in Lawrence, NewVue Communities in Fitchburg, and the Coalition for a Better Acre (CBA) in Lowell. LCW constructs affordable housing and works to create “vibrant neighborhoods and empowered residents,” according to its website. NewVue Communities provides assistance in navigating homeownership and running a small business while also promoting affordable housing. CBA funds and implements job training programs along with creating affordable housing developments, most recently completing construction of housing units for veterans in Haverhill.
Cornerstone of American dream
“In the United States, every person deserves to have a roof over their head in a safe neighborhood and a job that pays a living wage,” Trahan wrote in a press release. “This basic value has been a cornerstone of the American Dream since our nation’s founding. I am proud to announce this important grant funding to organizations in our community that directly work to make that value a reality. Public-private partnerships like the ones supported by the NeighborWorks network are vital to developing our communities.”
In addition to working on housing legislation, Eldridge also joined the Medicare for All caucus in the Senate. The caucus is co-chaired by Jo Comerford (D-Hampshire) in the Senate and Tami Gouveia (D-14th Middlesex) and Lindsay Sabadosa (D-1st Hampshire) in the House. Eldridge characterized the nation’s healthcare system as “broken” on Facebook and said he looked forward to “seeing the national conversation grow on making healthcare a right.” Eldridge also joined State Rep. Jennifer Benson in meeting with the Harvard School Committee Tuesday, March 12, to discuss education funding.
Press intern Kate Selig is a Bromfield senior.
