Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Keeping Promises
A while back Owen Broadhurst wrote me an email with details of his plan for dealing with his community's homeless situation. I promised to link to it here, and promptly didn't. I owe Owen an apology, and give it here and now.
Owen's housing plan seems pretty comprehensive and worthy of the Green label. I hope that you will all visit behind the "Read more!" link to get all the juicy details...
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AGAWAM- Green-Rainbow Party candidate for State Representative in the Third Hampden District, Owen R. Broadhurst of Agawam, expresses gratitude for recent Springfield Republican coverage of the growing concern of homelessness Ö and outlines a legislative agenda to help ensure housing demands are met for those most in need.
"The Springfield Republican deserves high praise for highlighting the plight of the homeless and families at risk," Broadhurst noted. "We must take care, however, to note that the concern of homelessness is by no means limited to such cities as Springfield, Boston or Worcester but is an ever growing issue throughout our state as middle income and low income families find housing and rental costs continually skyrocketing along with healthcare costs in an age of wage stagnation and draconian budget cuts."
"The Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless has observed that Massachusetts is the third least affordable state in the country. Despite our having rental and housing costs now beyond the means of growing numbers of families, only 1,300 affordable rental units are created each year through DHCD subsidy programs. 118,000 households are paying over 50% of income towards rent and utilities. Families already homeless and living in shelters are being told they must wait three years or more to find housing. A head of household earning $15,000 per year working full time cannot afford rent in this area."
Broadhurst has unveiled a legislative agenda that he believes can help alleviate this dilemma. "Clearly, we need to raise the minimum wage and index this to the rate of inflation. Clearly, we need a single-payer health plan so that heads of families need no longer be forced to choose between housing and health care," Broadhurst observed. "We furthermore must absolutely restore funding to vital agencies, and implement a fair tax plan to better fund such services. Massachusetts has the means, and must find the will."
Broadhurst endorses the Massachusetts Association of Community Development Corporations recommendation for the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP) budget to be raised an additional $10 million; urges an additional $5 million for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund; and seeks to double the low income housing tax credit.
"We must raise Rental Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) an additional $2 million and cover moving costs and rent arrears; I would oppose the cuts proposed in Governor Mitt Romney's budget, and oppose his proposed RAFT payment restrictions."
Broadhurst urges income eligibility standards in economically depressed areas to be set at 50% of state-wide median income rather than area median income; supports raising Individual Self-Sufficiency Initiative Program funding an additional $5million; urges state-wide implementation of a pilot program of the First Stop Early Warning Prevention Initiative as recommended by the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless; supports full funding for the Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled and Children Program to meet current eligibility standards and provide a 10% cost of living adjustment; urges expansion of the Toolbox program, earmarking up to $5 million to be used for homelessness prevention and helping families move from
shelters to safe and affordable permanent housing; seeks passage of An Act Removing Barriers to Emergency Shelter for Families with Children; supports additional 10% funding of shelter providers' operating contracts; urges an increase of $1 million for shelter cash assistance and stabilization services; and supports a $6.5 million
increase in Emergency Assistance for homelessness prevention.
To facilitate further creation of affordable units, Broadhurst also supports Chapter 40B reform and urges passage of Act Relative to Reforming Chapter 40B as filed in November last year by state senator Richard T. Moore. He seeks a stronger Community Preservation Act independent of any property tax surcharge, and supports a package of incentives to facilitate adoption of the Community Preservation Act in more cities and towns. He would oppose allowing Chapter 40B units to revert back to market rates.
"Housing is a basic human right recognized by international law. We're clearly not doing nearly enough to house people in need in this state. This candidate would do more."
===========
The Broadhurst campaign is accepting on-line donations. In compliance with Massachusetts General Laws and Office of Campaign and Political Finance regulations, The Broadhurst Committee cannot accept debit card contributions. The Broadhurst Committee requests that contributions be limited to no more than the sum of $100, although no contribution is at all too small. Although the credit card minimum contribution is $10, the Broadhurst Committee will accept checks in any small amount from individuals. Corporate contributions are not accepted.
The Broadhurst Committee can accept credit card contributions only from those who pay their credit card obligations with their very own personal funds. From all contributors, the Broadhurst Committee requests personal contact information - including home address - and information regarding the contributor's occupation and employers, if any. The Broadhurst Committee requests such information in compliance
with OCPF regulations and applicable law.
--
Owen R. Broadhurst
Candidate for State Representative
Third Hampden District
http://www.owenbroadhurst.org
Owen's housing plan seems pretty comprehensive and worthy of the Green label. I hope that you will all visit behind the "Read more!" link to get all the juicy details...
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AGAWAM- Green-Rainbow Party candidate for State Representative in the Third Hampden District, Owen R. Broadhurst of Agawam, expresses gratitude for recent Springfield Republican coverage of the growing concern of homelessness Ö and outlines a legislative agenda to help ensure housing demands are met for those most in need.
"The Springfield Republican deserves high praise for highlighting the plight of the homeless and families at risk," Broadhurst noted. "We must take care, however, to note that the concern of homelessness is by no means limited to such cities as Springfield, Boston or Worcester but is an ever growing issue throughout our state as middle income and low income families find housing and rental costs continually skyrocketing along with healthcare costs in an age of wage stagnation and draconian budget cuts."
"The Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless has observed that Massachusetts is the third least affordable state in the country. Despite our having rental and housing costs now beyond the means of growing numbers of families, only 1,300 affordable rental units are created each year through DHCD subsidy programs. 118,000 households are paying over 50% of income towards rent and utilities. Families already homeless and living in shelters are being told they must wait three years or more to find housing. A head of household earning $15,000 per year working full time cannot afford rent in this area."
Broadhurst has unveiled a legislative agenda that he believes can help alleviate this dilemma. "Clearly, we need to raise the minimum wage and index this to the rate of inflation. Clearly, we need a single-payer health plan so that heads of families need no longer be forced to choose between housing and health care," Broadhurst observed. "We furthermore must absolutely restore funding to vital agencies, and implement a fair tax plan to better fund such services. Massachusetts has the means, and must find the will."
Broadhurst endorses the Massachusetts Association of Community Development Corporations recommendation for the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP) budget to be raised an additional $10 million; urges an additional $5 million for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund; and seeks to double the low income housing tax credit.
"We must raise Rental Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) an additional $2 million and cover moving costs and rent arrears; I would oppose the cuts proposed in Governor Mitt Romney's budget, and oppose his proposed RAFT payment restrictions."
Broadhurst urges income eligibility standards in economically depressed areas to be set at 50% of state-wide median income rather than area median income; supports raising Individual Self-Sufficiency Initiative Program funding an additional $5million; urges state-wide implementation of a pilot program of the First Stop Early Warning Prevention Initiative as recommended by the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless; supports full funding for the Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled and Children Program to meet current eligibility standards and provide a 10% cost of living adjustment; urges expansion of the Toolbox program, earmarking up to $5 million to be used for homelessness prevention and helping families move from
shelters to safe and affordable permanent housing; seeks passage of An Act Removing Barriers to Emergency Shelter for Families with Children; supports additional 10% funding of shelter providers' operating contracts; urges an increase of $1 million for shelter cash assistance and stabilization services; and supports a $6.5 million
increase in Emergency Assistance for homelessness prevention.
To facilitate further creation of affordable units, Broadhurst also supports Chapter 40B reform and urges passage of Act Relative to Reforming Chapter 40B as filed in November last year by state senator Richard T. Moore. He seeks a stronger Community Preservation Act independent of any property tax surcharge, and supports a package of incentives to facilitate adoption of the Community Preservation Act in more cities and towns. He would oppose allowing Chapter 40B units to revert back to market rates.
"Housing is a basic human right recognized by international law. We're clearly not doing nearly enough to house people in need in this state. This candidate would do more."
===========
The Broadhurst campaign is accepting on-line donations. In compliance with Massachusetts General Laws and Office of Campaign and Political Finance regulations, The Broadhurst Committee cannot accept debit card contributions. The Broadhurst Committee requests that contributions be limited to no more than the sum of $100, although no contribution is at all too small. Although the credit card minimum contribution is $10, the Broadhurst Committee will accept checks in any small amount from individuals. Corporate contributions are not accepted.
The Broadhurst Committee can accept credit card contributions only from those who pay their credit card obligations with their very own personal funds. From all contributors, the Broadhurst Committee requests personal contact information - including home address - and information regarding the contributor's occupation and employers, if any. The Broadhurst Committee requests such information in compliance
with OCPF regulations and applicable law.
--
Owen R. Broadhurst
Candidate for State Representative
Third Hampden District
http://www.owenbroadhurst.org
// posted by Gregg Jocoy @ 11:40 PM 
