Significant demographic changes coming. (Boston, Springfield: insurance, hotels, unemployment rate)

[CaseyB]

Originally Posted by tickybox

Can you provide a link or citation for more information about this? I have a hard time believing it, since they can't even provide the correct number of buses for regular T routes.

They'll expand the T bus service to include more towns or expand regional bus service if that makes more sense.. Not special transportation for each development.

[Dm84]

Originally Posted by CaseyB

They'll expand the T bus service to include more towns or expand regional bus service if that makes more sense.. Not special transportation for each development.

They can't even run adequate commuter rail service for people going to Boston during rush hour.

[MikePRU]

Originally Posted by Dm84

40B is a state law. Other than 40B I'm not sure how towns could be bullied into building projects they don't want.

Yes but there are still "affordable" units that are created because of the law. The state doesn't pay anything toward these units. The law just limits how much they can be sold for and the income level of the purchaser. Completely different than Section 8 where the state is providing a voucher.

[CaseyB]

Originally Posted by Dm84

They can't even run adequate commuter rail service for people going to Boston during rush hour.

Well when has common sense ever stopped the government?

[mdovell]

Public housing isn't exactly "poor". The housing prices once you get out of the boston area are much lower (along with rents or at least what you get for the rents).

I actually know someone that is temporarily homeless (and pregnant!) because she between buying a house and selling one well she sold it before the papers passed on what she is buying. She'll be without a house for about a month.

40B requirements require a development to have some units as affordable but it doesn't really mean they all have to be.

What's at issue here is having local lists led to nepotism at various agencies. If you know that the demand is assured and you have a line out the door of course you let things slide.

In Kingston they let people cut in line, Marshfield they had personal use of facilities, Quincy didn't even maintain theirs leading to outright ceptic leakage in kitchens. Easton was led by a women just looking online for men all day (what?!?)
Chealsea was the one that really broke the camels back along with Springfield (where I live)

From Chelsea to Springfield, Massachusetts public housing chiefs face little accountability - News Local Massachusetts - Boston.com

Keep in mind there might not be much of an incentive to create new section 8 buildings. However, with that in mind a larger city can have less to expand upon vs a smaller town. Mass isn't a big state. it doesn't cross time zones and you can go from one end to the other in a few hours. Some students already live in one town and go to school in another either as part of the homeless policies or Metco. So the idea that it is a burden is a bit less. Add in cell phones and internet access and frankly it is no longer an issue to move. Access to food, water, shelter and clothing is well established in the state.

Even in lieu of public transit some places step up. Peapod does exist and even smaller ones are opting in. I live in Springfield and Foodzone will deliver anywhere in the city for a purchase of $50 or more.

The way I see housing is there has to be some method of which to have someone graduate.

Homeless outside need to be put into shelters
People in shelters ultimately should get on their feet and get into public housing.
Public housing should either move into market rate or put a down payment on their own home.

It's easier to do this in some parts of the state and not others. With that in mind it doesn't help anyone to struggle to find a place to live in one if they can do so in another.

[in_newengland]

Originally Posted by mdovell

Public housing isn't exactly "poor". The housing prices once you get out of the boston area are much lower (along with rents or at least what you get for the rents).

I actually know someone that is temporarily homeless (and pregnant!) because she between buying a house and selling one well she sold it before the papers passed on what she is buying. She'll be without a house for about a month.

40B requirements require a development to have some units as affordable but it doesn't really mean they all have to be.

What's at issue here is having local lists led to nepotism at various agencies. If you know that the demand is assured and you have a line out the door of course you let things slide.

In Kingston they let people cut in line, Marshfield they had personal use of facilities, Quincy didn't even maintain theirs leading to outright ceptic leakage in kitchens. Easton was led by a women just looking online for men all day (what?!?)
Chealsea was the one that really broke the camels back along with Springfield (where I live)

From Chelsea to Springfield, Massachusetts public housing chiefs face little accountability - News Local Massachusetts - Boston.com

Keep in mind there might not be much of an incentive to create new section 8 buildings. However, with that in mind a larger city can have less to expand upon vs a smaller town. Mass isn't a big state. it doesn't cross time zones and you can go from one end to the other in a few hours. Some students already live in one town and go to school in another either as part of the homeless policies or Metco. So the idea that it is a burden is a bit less. Add in cell phones and internet access and frankly it is no longer an issue to move. Access to food, water, shelter and clothing is well established in the state.

Even in lieu of public transit some places step up. Peapod does exist and even smaller ones are opting in. I live in Springfield and Foodzone will deliver anywhere in the city for a purchase of $50 or more.

The way I see housing is there has to be some method of which to have someone graduate.

Homeless outside need to be put into shelters
People in shelters ultimately should get on their feet and get into public housing.
Public housing should either move into market rate or put a down payment on their own home.

It's easier to do this in some parts of the state and not others. With that in mind it doesn't help anyone to struggle to find a place to live in one if they can do so in another.

There's been a lot of abuse within public housing, more than on that list. I agree that people have to move up and OUT. Except for elderly and disabled, public housing should be temporary. In England, people who get something like section 8 are encouraged to work, save, and BUY their section 8 house. Of course, it's gone too far and now there's a housing shortage because so many DID earn money and BUY the house they were living in, but something like that is a good idea. An incentive.

As for immigrants, they can't live in public housing unless they are here legally and they have to have been here legally for at least five years. Before that they are required to have a sponsor who has promised to support them so that they can take nothing from the government.

[mdovell]

Well I can tell you there's no housing shortage in western Mass. There is a push to get a few thousand people to get down payments. I don't know if that's possible in the next few years but it's certainly worth a shot. Property prices have gone up here but it still has a way to go.

[Dm84]

Originally Posted by mdovell

Well I can tell you there's no housing shortage in western Mass. There is a push to get a few thousand people to get down payments. I don't know if that's possible in the next few years but it's certainly worth a shot. Property prices have gone up here but it still has a way to go.

There is a job shortage out there and that's why the housing prices are and will remain depressed for the foreseeable future. Springfield is already a seedy place- the LAST thing it needs is Boston's poor shipped out there in large(r) numbers.

[BostonMike7]

Originally Posted by mdovell

I actually know someone that is temporarily homeless (and pregnant!) because she between buying a house and selling one well she sold it before the papers passed on what she is buying. She'll be without a house for about a month.

That gets you a public housing voucher?


Technically I've been homeless for about 3 months for the same reason then. I don't understand how my scenario would grant me access to taxpayer funds to shelter me while I search for my new digs.

[singlemom34]

Is there anywhere I can read this info? I've been on the centralized section 8 waiting list for 5 years and 6 months and when I called yesterday what they told me is that even though it's statewide, the town where you actually went to apply is the one that looks at your application first. This being said, I called the city where I applied personally and they told me they are still on applications from 2006 and she she was honest about it and told me I don't think we're going to get to your application for another 3 to 4 years. I honestly don't mind anywhere in the state I really just need the help before I go homeless with a 10 yr old daughter.