mbhp UPDATE - Metropolitan Boston Housing Partnership

MBHP in the News!
O
ver the past several months,
MBHP has had the good
fortune to make several appearances
in a wide range of media outlets. It
is our hope that as we continue to
be successful in presenting our story
and the stories of our program
participants to the public, increased
attention will be placed on the
families and individuals who deal
with homelessness and the threat of
homelessness every day in Massachusetts. The more people know
about the state’s housing situation,
the better chances we have of
addressing its problems.
Here’s a list of a handful of
media stories involving MBHP in the
last few months. To view the stories,
go to the media page of our website
at www.mbhp.org.
3/28/2012
CEDAC Home Mod Loan
Program Completes 1,500
Loans (Banker & Tradesman)
MBHP Executive Director Chris
Norris is quoted in a Banker &
Tradesman article on our successful
administering of Home Mod Loans,
and what these (largely no-interest)
loans mean to its recipients.
4/7/2012
Maria Dias Runs Boston
Marathon for MBHP
(Worcester Telegram)
Short piece in the Worcester Telegram
about Maria Dias’ decision to run the
Boston Marathon in support of MBHP.
4/19/2012
Study Explores the
Complexities of Homelessness
(Dorchester Reporter)
MBHP is mentioned and one of its
clients is featured in a Dorchester
Reporter story that discusses the
4/20/2012
New Report Finds HPRP Funds
Provide Short-Term Housing
Stability; More Permanent
Housing Subsidies Needed
(National Low Income
Housing Coalition website)
The NLIHC website posts a story for
their resource library on the HPRP
Report MBHP published in April.
mbhp UPDATE
NON-PROFIT
U.S. POSTAGE
results of the HPRP Report MBHP
published in April.
PAID
WOBURN, MA
PERMIT NO. 88
125 Lincoln Street, 5th Floor
Boston, MA 02111-2503
(617) 859-0400 • www.mbhp.org
Metropolitan Boston Housing Partnership • 125 Lincoln Street, 5th Floor • Boston, MA 02111-2503 • (617) 859-0400 www.mbhp.org
T
Co-Location Strategy Offers Increased Services
MISSION STATEMENT
MBHP’s mission is to ensure that the
region’s low- and moderate-income
individuals and families have choice and
mobility in finding and retaining decent
affordable housing; all of our programs
5/17/2012
Locals Learn Affordable
Housing a Universal Concern
(West Roxbury Transcript)
MBHP Executive Director Chris
Norris is quoted and featured in a
West Roxbury Transcript story on his
trip (along with other affordable
housing leaders) to meet and share
ideas with affordable housing
organizations in Israel.
and initiatives are designed to encourage
housing stability, increase economic
self-sufficiency, and enhance the quality
of the lives of those we serve. To achieve
our mission and to promote efficient
service delivery, we work collaboratively
with a broad array of service providers
and neighborhood-based organizations.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
Steven Rioff, Co-Chair
MB Management Company
Cynthia Lacasse, Co-Chair
John Hancock Realty Advisors, Inc.
John Hancock Financial Services, Inc.
Co-Location Strategy Offers Increased Services
continued from cover
“Because of these co-locations, we’re
able to offer workshops and housing
services close to home, while at
the same time strengthening our
community-based partnerships,”
continues Fulton. “It’s a win-win for
all involved.”
MBHP offers three different
kinds of support at our co-locations:
1) Outreach for participation into
MBHP’s Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS)
program, 2) Information, referral and
counseling services for housing
concerns, and 3) Re-examinations for
rental voucher participants. An
added benefit of the co-locations is
that it makes it easier and quicker
for many families and individuals to
receive the assistance they need.
One of MBHP’s co-location
strategies is to focus on partnering
with schools in and around Greater
Boston. For example, MBHP staff
run monthly sessions at the Marshall
Elementary School in Dorchester,
working specifically in the Family
Nurturing Center (a program run by
Dorchester Cares). At the Center,
MBHP provides a host of different
support services to parents and
community members, such as help
with housing, career/life counseling,
and outreach for participation in the
FSS Program. This first step toward
becoming a presence in the schools
is an exciting new development for
MBHP, as the organization has also
begun to forge meaningful partnerships with a collective of city and
5
Handheld Tablet
community organizations known as
the Circle of Promise. This collective
provides holistic support services for
the region’s most underserved schools.
We are also proud to be part of
CONNECT, a new Chelsea-based
coalition of agencies located at The
Neighborhood Developers which
bundles various services together
(housing, employment, education,
etc.). Another partner is Bunker Hill
Community College and its Single
Stop program, which links students
up with benefits, tax credits and
services. MBHP’s joint efforts with
organizations like Dorchester Bay
EDC and Codman Square NDC in
the Fairmount Corridor is yet another
instance of great partnerships at work.
SUMMER 2012
continued from cover
language, and by being more legible
as handwriting can often be misread.
“With the tablet, the understanding or
interpretation of what we’re asking
the landlord to do will be a whole lot
easier,” says Chaney, “It should
definitely be more consistent. That
should create better results for the
landlords, making it easier for them
to know what is required in order to
pass inspections.”
There’s also an added bonus to
using the tablets—time saved. “It will
definitely be a quicker, more efficient
inspection,” says Chaney. “It will
definitely be a quicker inspection.
That’s good for everyone.”
Replacing paper-based inspections with digital tablets provides yet
another example of MBHP’s emphasis on innovation and leadership in
the housing field.
JOIN US AT OUR FIFTH ANNUAL FOUNDERS CELEBRATION
On November 14, MBHP will hold its Fifth Annual Founders Celebration
at State Street Financial Center. We will honor the life and work of
Lowell Richards, MBHP’s longtime Co-Chair of its Board of Directors.
Richards will be posthumously receiving the Founders Award for his
lengthy, dedicated service to MBHP and its mission.
MBHP is also proud to feature Aaron Gornstein, Undersecretary of the
Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development
(DHCD), as the event’s keynote speaker. Mr. Gornstein has deep ties to
the state’s affordable housing community. Before being recently named
Undersecretary of DHCD, Mr. Gornstein had been the Executive Director
of the Citizens’ Housing and Planning Association (CHAPA) since 1990.
State Street is generously hosting the event. Appetizers and drinks will
Elizabeth Gruber, Treasurer
Bank of America Merrill Lynch
MBHP Case Management Specialist
Malcolm Lucas assists a client at the
Family Nurturing Center, one of MBHP’s
school-based co-locations.
“The staff here at MBHP is really
excited about bringing our services
to the neighborhoods and towns
of Greater Boston,” says Assistant
Director of Client Services Kate Fulton.
continued on page 5
Nader Acevedo, Hispanic-American
Chamber of Commerce of Greater Boston
MBHP Unveils Handheld Tablet for Inspections
Kevin Boyle, Citizens Bank
of Massachusetts
BHP inspectors now have a
new tool for the digital age.
They will soon be using handheld
tablets on their inspections instead of
the handwritten, carbonless paper
forms that have been in use for
years. This will dramatically improve
the inspection process for property
owners, tenants and MBHP staff.
The move to electronic forms
will increase readability, timeliness,
and efficiency, making the decision
to go paperless a relatively easy one.
MBHP Inspector John Chaney
has already tested out the new
tablets, and is excited about the new
technology. For Chaney, one of the
best features of the tablet is that it will
reduce guesswork by using a uniform
Susanne Marzi Cameron, Citi
Donald Conover, State Street Corporation
Lyndia Downie, Pine Street Inn
Christopher Harris, The Boston Foundation
Langley Keyes, Massachusetts Institute
of Technology (retired)
Chrystal Kornegay, Urban Edge Housing
Corporation
Terry Saunders Lane, Lane Consulting
Services, University of Massachusetts
Boston
be provided.
Sponsorship opportunities are still available. Please contact Mary Jo
Matthew A. Martinez, Beacon Hill
Property Group
Esther Schlorholtz, Boston Private
Bank & Trust Company
Donald E. Vaughan, Burns & Levinson, LLP
6
s a way to be more visible in the
communities we serve and to be
more responsive to our clients and
their housing needs, MBHP has begun
offering services in several locations
with partner agencies throughout our
region. This co-location strategy allows
us to forge and strengthen partnerships with community-based groups.
Organizations such as The Family
Nurturing Center, The Neighborhood
Developers, Bunker Hill Community
College, Urban Edge, Dorchester Bay
EDC and others are providing space
in their offices for MBHP staff to reach
out to program participants. Partnering
with these agencies and using their
expertise in the community increases
our ability to effectively serve those
in need of housing assistance.
Mark Nuccio, Clerk
Ropes & Gray LLP
Ronald G. Marlow, Commonwealth of
Massachusetts, Executive Office for
Administration and Finance
Kane at (617) 425-6705 for more information.
A
M
MBHP inspector John Chaney demonstrates the new handheld tablet device
that will be used on future inspections.
continued on page 6
ever yon e de s er ve s a place t o cal l h om e
MBHP’S PROGRAMS
•R
ental Assistance: Section 8 housing
voucher and other subsidy programs
working with 4,300 property owners
and serving 7,600 disabled, elderly,
formerly homeless, and other
individ­uals and families throughout
Greater Boston. Included are subsidies for people with special needs
requiring both housing and support
services. Other voucher initiatives
target tenants striving for greater
economic self-sufficiency.
•H
ousing Supports: Programs that
serve tenants, property owners
and others with securing, stabilizing,
or improving their housing. These
include:
HomeBASE: a short-term housing
transition program that provides
alternatives to shelter by preventing,
diverting, and re-housing homeless
families and those at imminent risk
of homelessness.
Housing Consumer Education Center:
An integrated network of services
that provides housing-related infor-
Congratulations Team MBHP!
Thank You Donors!
T
E
his past April, MBHP was
honored to be represented by
four dedicated runners in the 116th
Boston Marathon. As part of John
Hancock Financial Services’ Boston
Marathon Non-Profit Program, MBHP
had been granted four entries into
the historic race to raise funds for its
programs. We are proud to announce
that Team MBHP—Linda Ozier,
Hannah Lodi, Maria Dias, Trudy
Frasch, as well as coach/captain
Jesse Edsell-Vetter—raised a total of
$22,862 (so far) for the organization.
“Running for team MPHP was truly
an amazing and rewarding experience on many different levels,” said
Hannah Lodi after finishing the race.
“I am very thankful for the support
of my friends, family, and co-workers
throughout my training and on race
day, and feel so grateful to have
had the opportunity to aid such a
worthy cause and organization.”
While unseasonably high temperatures may have made for slower than
usual finish times, Team MBHP still
Hannah Lodi, at mile 25 in record-setting,
87-degree heat, was one of four runners
from Team MBHP participating in this
year’s Boston Marathon.
managed to set a torrid pace in their
fundraising. Even with additional
funds still expected to come in, they
have already exceeded the fundraising
goals set by John Hancock’s Boston
Marathon Non-Profit Program. Way to
go, Team MBHP!
ach year MBHP takes time out to
recognize its supporters, without
whom we would not be able to
provide so many housing programs
and services to the families of
Greater Boston. On May 15, MBHP
held a Donor Appreciation Breakfast,
generously hosted by Boston Private
Bank & Trust, to show our tremendous gratitude to the many institutions and individuals who make it
possible for MBHP to do its work.
State Representative Kevin
Honan gave the featured remarks at
the event, providing great insight
into the successes of the different
state housing programs, and what is
needed to sustain them. Recognizing
the impact of MBHP, Honan spoke
of routinely driving by a motel being
used by the state to shelter families
State Representative Kevin Honan, seen with MBHP Executive Director Chris Norris
and MBHP Board member Esther Schlorholtz, gave the keynote address.
Tonya Marshall, a recent graduate of the
FSS program, also spoke at the event.
on his daily commute, and appreciating the work MBHP had done in
helping these families find housing.
Honan, who chairs the Joint Committee on Housing, also emphasized the
importance of private dollars to fill
the needs not met by state funds.
To provide a more personal
appreciation, two MBHP clients
also spoke at the event, sharing their
stories and the way in which MBHP’s
privately-funded programs assisted in
their lives. Bill Pistorino spoke about
MBHP’s role in helping him get a loan
modification to avoid foreclosure.
Tonya Marshall ended the event with
an emotional speech about her
mation, workshops, programs and
emergency financial assistance.
Specialized Intensive Programs and
Services: Individualized assistance to
residents who have faced domestic
violence, mental health or substance
abuse issues, chronic homelessness,
hoarding issues and other traumas.
Fair Housing Technical Assistance:
Trainings and technical assistance
to tenants and property owners on
their rights and responsibilities under
federal and state fair housing laws.
Foreclosure Prevention and Tenancy
Preservation: Serves property owners
facing foreclosure and tenants facing
eviction due to foreclosure.
•R
eal Estate Services: Equity services
and asset management oversight,
a loan program that keeps homes
accessible for elders or people
with disabilities, and affordable
HPRP Report Published
T
his past April, MBHP teamed up
with the Center for Social Policy
(CSP) at UMass-Boston to publish a
study on the Commonwealth’s rapid
re-housing of families experiencing
homelessness.
The study, entitled Rapid
Re-housing of Families Experiencing
Homelessness in Massachusetts:
Maintaining Housing Stability,
focused on the experiences of 486
Massachusetts families living in
shelters or motels who received
rapid re-housing assistance from six
agencies covering four sections of the
state. The re-housing program was
funded as part of the Homelessness
Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing
Program (HPRP), made possible
home ownership opportunities.
2
by The American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act of 2009.
The authors of the study (UMassBoston Senior Research Fellows Tim
H. Davis and Terry Saunders Lane)
looked at the housing and economic
stability of these families after 12–18
months of program participation,
and made conclusions regarding
outcomes, as well as recommendations going forward.
Of the 486 families participating
in the study, 81% remained in a
stable housing situation and therefore
out of the shelter system. Due to the
disparity between income and rent
prices, the large majority of these
families (77%) continue to receive
continued on page 4
DONOR SPOTLIGHT: THE BOSTON FOUNDATION
M
struggle to balance motherhood,
housing, school and a career, and her
eventual triumph at graduating from
the Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS)
program. “Graduating from college
and the FSS program has had such a
positive impact on me,” said Tonya,
“I feel more confident in becoming
someone tremendous in life. It has
helped me to become a more positive
role model for my family and shown
them that anyone can succeed as
long as you strive for excellence.”
The breakfast was a reminder of
how grateful we at MBHP feel to
have such sustained and consistent
support from loyal donors.
RECENT GRANTS (OVER $1,000) SINCE APRIL 2012
•B
ushrod H. Campbell and Adah F. Hall Charity Fund: $4,000 in support of our Housing Supports Programs work with elders
• Citi: $11,000 in support of our Housing Supports: Housing to Home
• Lawrence Model Lodging Houses Trust: $5,000 in support of our Housing Supports: Housing to Home
•M
etro Boston Regional Network to End Homelessness: $20,000 in support of our Emergency Assistance Fund
•M
ulford Foundation: $15,000 in support of our Emergency Assistance Fund
•P
rocter & Gamble Corporate Giving Fund: $20,000 in support of our Housing Supports Programs
•S
ailors’ Snug Harbor of Boston: $7,500 in support of our Housing Supports’ work with elders
•T
D Charitable Foundation: $3,500 in support of Housing Supports programs’ Rapid Re-Housing/Housing Search work
3
BHP has enjoyed a long and
fruitful relationship with The
Boston Foundation. For more than
twenty years, The Boston Foundation
has proven to be a stalwart contributor to our organization and mission.
From helping to keep elderly
residents in their homes (Staying
Home Program), to aiding in our
foreclosure prevention and tenancy
preservation initiatives, to the more
recent push to expand the Family
Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program into
the Fairmount Corridor, The Boston
Foundation has been a vital piece in
the success of MBHP, and by extension, the families and individuals
participating in our programs.
“It has been such a pleasure
working with The Boston Foundation on the expansion of the Family
Self-Sufficiency program,” said FSS
Program Manager Jamie DeLude.
“It’s great to have a donor so in tune
with the challenges families face,
as well as the resources necessary to
help overcome those challenges.
Their support for our program has
been invaluable.”
MBHP is very proud to have
partnered with The Boston Foundation, and it would seem the feeling
The Boston Foundation’s Director of
Programs, Geeta Pradhan, has worked
closely with MBHP’s Family Self-Sufficiency program.
is mutual. “What has impressed us
most about MBHP is their commitment
to address the challenge of family
stability on a multitude of fronts,”
said Geeta Pradhan, Director of
Programs for the Boston Foundation.
“MBHP has taken our investment
in the Family Self Sufficiency program
and created a family asset development support system for families
along the Fairmount Corridor. In
addition, they have extended their
reach far beyond our grant to work
with families within the City of
Boston’s ‘Circle of Promise’ to
prevent homelessness.”
As our partnership with The
Boston Foundation continues into
its third decade, we look forward to
new ways to deepen our relationship. Just this past May, MBHP was
invited by The Boston Foundation
to be an “early adopter” of their
Giving Common fundraising
platform. Giving Common is The
Boston Foundation’s new webbased database that allows nonprofits,
donors and the general public to
research and discover information
on nonprofit organizations, and
provides a way for individuals to
easily make donations through
the site.
In addition to its programmatic
partnerships, MBHP has enjoyed
having the representation of The
Boston Foundation on our Board of
Directors, with TBF Donor Services
Officer Christopher Harris serving
since 2010.
HPRP Report Published continued from page 2
either a short- or long-term rental
subsidy in order to afford market
rent. Many of the study’s conclusions
are intrinsically tied to this gap
between income and what is considered market rent in Massachusetts.
A few of the study’s findings
include the continued need for
housing subsidies for families with
low income, a longer period of time
given for subsidies (initial HPRP
subsidies were for one year only),
the importance of housing services
such as negotiations with landlords
during the lease-up period and to
address tenancy problems, as well as
accompanying stabilization services
(education and workforce and asset
development, etc.). A broader
conclusion from the study underscored the urgency for the state to
create additional affordable housing
opportunities.
“This study confirms that with
assistance and support, families can
obtain and maintain housing,” said
Chris Norris, MBHP’s executive
director. “Investing in families pays
dividends in many ways, but like most
investments, it takes time and persis-
4
tence to obtain high quality results.
It does not happen overnight.”
The report was made possible,
in part, through funding provided
by the Massachusetts Department
of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) with federal CSBG
Special Projects funds. It follows
up on a previous report MBHP
published in November of 2010,
which was a preliminary study on
the re-housing of families in the
Commonwealth as it was taking
place. The reports are available at
www.mbhp.org.
MBHP’S PROGRAMS
•R
ental Assistance: Section 8 housing
voucher and other subsidy programs
working with 4,300 property owners
and serving 7,600 disabled, elderly,
formerly homeless, and other
individ­uals and families throughout
Greater Boston. Included are subsidies for people with special needs
requiring both housing and support
services. Other voucher initiatives
target tenants striving for greater
economic self-sufficiency.
•H
ousing Supports: Programs that
serve tenants, property owners
and others with securing, stabilizing,
or improving their housing. These
include:
HomeBASE: a short-term housing
transition program that provides
alternatives to shelter by preventing,
diverting, and re-housing homeless
families and those at imminent risk
of homelessness.
Housing Consumer Education Center:
An integrated network of services
that provides housing-related infor-
Congratulations Team MBHP!
Thank You Donors!
T
E
his past April, MBHP was
honored to be represented by
four dedicated runners in the 116th
Boston Marathon. As part of John
Hancock Financial Services’ Boston
Marathon Non-Profit Program, MBHP
had been granted four entries into
the historic race to raise funds for its
programs. We are proud to announce
that Team MBHP—Linda Ozier,
Hannah Lodi, Maria Dias, Trudy
Frasch, as well as coach/captain
Jesse Edsell-Vetter—raised a total of
$22,862 (so far) for the organization.
“Running for team MPHP was truly
an amazing and rewarding experience on many different levels,” said
Hannah Lodi after finishing the race.
“I am very thankful for the support
of my friends, family, and co-workers
throughout my training and on race
day, and feel so grateful to have
had the opportunity to aid such a
worthy cause and organization.”
While unseasonably high temperatures may have made for slower than
usual finish times, Team MBHP still
Hannah Lodi, at mile 25 in record-setting,
87-degree heat, was one of four runners
from Team MBHP participating in this
year’s Boston Marathon.
managed to set a torrid pace in their
fundraising. Even with additional
funds still expected to come in, they
have already exceeded the fundraising
goals set by John Hancock’s Boston
Marathon Non-Profit Program. Way to
go, Team MBHP!
ach year MBHP takes time out to
recognize its supporters, without
whom we would not be able to
provide so many housing programs
and services to the families of
Greater Boston. On May 15, MBHP
held a Donor Appreciation Breakfast,
generously hosted by Boston Private
Bank & Trust, to show our tremendous gratitude to the many institutions and individuals who make it
possible for MBHP to do its work.
State Representative Kevin
Honan gave the featured remarks at
the event, providing great insight
into the successes of the different
state housing programs, and what is
needed to sustain them. Recognizing
the impact of MBHP, Honan spoke
of routinely driving by a motel being
used by the state to shelter families
State Representative Kevin Honan, seen with MBHP Executive Director Chris Norris
and MBHP Board member Esther Schlorholtz, gave the keynote address.
Tonya Marshall, a recent graduate of the
FSS program, also spoke at the event.
on his daily commute, and appreciating the work MBHP had done in
helping these families find housing.
Honan, who chairs the Joint Committee on Housing, also emphasized the
importance of private dollars to fill
the needs not met by state funds.
To provide a more personal
appreciation, two MBHP clients
also spoke at the event, sharing their
stories and the way in which MBHP’s
privately-funded programs assisted in
their lives. Bill Pistorino spoke about
MBHP’s role in helping him get a loan
modification to avoid foreclosure.
Tonya Marshall ended the event with
an emotional speech about her
mation, workshops, programs and
emergency financial assistance.
Specialized Intensive Programs and
Services: Individualized assistance to
residents who have faced domestic
violence, mental health or substance
abuse issues, chronic homelessness,
hoarding issues and other traumas.
Fair Housing Technical Assistance:
Trainings and technical assistance
to tenants and property owners on
their rights and responsibilities under
federal and state fair housing laws.
Foreclosure Prevention and Tenancy
Preservation: Serves property owners
facing foreclosure and tenants facing
eviction due to foreclosure.
•R
eal Estate Services: Equity services
and asset management oversight,
a loan program that keeps homes
accessible for elders or people
with disabilities, and affordable
HPRP Report Published
T
his past April, MBHP teamed up
with the Center for Social Policy
(CSP) at UMass-Boston to publish a
study on the Commonwealth’s rapid
re-housing of families experiencing
homelessness.
The study, entitled Rapid
Re-housing of Families Experiencing
Homelessness in Massachusetts:
Maintaining Housing Stability,
focused on the experiences of 486
Massachusetts families living in
shelters or motels who received
rapid re-housing assistance from six
agencies covering four sections of the
state. The re-housing program was
funded as part of the Homelessness
Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing
Program (HPRP), made possible
home ownership opportunities.
2
by The American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act of 2009.
The authors of the study (UMassBoston Senior Research Fellows Tim
H. Davis and Terry Saunders Lane)
looked at the housing and economic
stability of these families after 12–18
months of program participation,
and made conclusions regarding
outcomes, as well as recommendations going forward.
Of the 486 families participating
in the study, 81% remained in a
stable housing situation and therefore
out of the shelter system. Due to the
disparity between income and rent
prices, the large majority of these
families (77%) continue to receive
continued on page 4
DONOR SPOTLIGHT: THE BOSTON FOUNDATION
M
struggle to balance motherhood,
housing, school and a career, and her
eventual triumph at graduating from
the Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS)
program. “Graduating from college
and the FSS program has had such a
positive impact on me,” said Tonya,
“I feel more confident in becoming
someone tremendous in life. It has
helped me to become a more positive
role model for my family and shown
them that anyone can succeed as
long as you strive for excellence.”
The breakfast was a reminder of
how grateful we at MBHP feel to
have such sustained and consistent
support from loyal donors.
RECENT GRANTS (OVER $1,000) SINCE APRIL 2012
•B
ushrod H. Campbell and Adah F. Hall Charity Fund: $4,000 in support of our Housing Supports Programs work with elders
• Citi: $11,000 in support of our Housing Supports: Housing to Home
• Lawrence Model Lodging Houses Trust: $5,000 in support of our Housing Supports: Housing to Home
•M
etro Boston Regional Network to End Homelessness: $20,000 in support of our Emergency Assistance Fund
•M
ulford Foundation: $15,000 in support of our Emergency Assistance Fund
•P
rocter & Gamble Corporate Giving Fund: $20,000 in support of our Housing Supports Programs
•S
ailors’ Snug Harbor of Boston: $7,500 in support of our Housing Supports’ work with elders
•T
D Charitable Foundation: $3,500 in support of Housing Supports programs’ Rapid Re-Housing/Housing Search work
3
BHP has enjoyed a long and
fruitful relationship with The
Boston Foundation. For more than
twenty years, The Boston Foundation
has proven to be a stalwart contributor to our organization and mission.
From helping to keep elderly
residents in their homes (Staying
Home Program), to aiding in our
foreclosure prevention and tenancy
preservation initiatives, to the more
recent push to expand the Family
Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program into
the Fairmount Corridor, The Boston
Foundation has been a vital piece in
the success of MBHP, and by extension, the families and individuals
participating in our programs.
“It has been such a pleasure
working with The Boston Foundation on the expansion of the Family
Self-Sufficiency program,” said FSS
Program Manager Jamie DeLude.
“It’s great to have a donor so in tune
with the challenges families face,
as well as the resources necessary to
help overcome those challenges.
Their support for our program has
been invaluable.”
MBHP is very proud to have
partnered with The Boston Foundation, and it would seem the feeling
The Boston Foundation’s Director of
Programs, Geeta Pradhan, has worked
closely with MBHP’s Family Self-Sufficiency program.
is mutual. “What has impressed us
most about MBHP is their commitment
to address the challenge of family
stability on a multitude of fronts,”
said Geeta Pradhan, Director of
Programs for the Boston Foundation.
“MBHP has taken our investment
in the Family Self Sufficiency program
and created a family asset development support system for families
along the Fairmount Corridor. In
addition, they have extended their
reach far beyond our grant to work
with families within the City of
Boston’s ‘Circle of Promise’ to
prevent homelessness.”
As our partnership with The
Boston Foundation continues into
its third decade, we look forward to
new ways to deepen our relationship. Just this past May, MBHP was
invited by The Boston Foundation
to be an “early adopter” of their
Giving Common fundraising
platform. Giving Common is The
Boston Foundation’s new webbased database that allows nonprofits,
donors and the general public to
research and discover information
on nonprofit organizations, and
provides a way for individuals to
easily make donations through
the site.
In addition to its programmatic
partnerships, MBHP has enjoyed
having the representation of The
Boston Foundation on our Board of
Directors, with TBF Donor Services
Officer Christopher Harris serving
since 2010.
HPRP Report Published continued from page 2
either a short- or long-term rental
subsidy in order to afford market
rent. Many of the study’s conclusions
are intrinsically tied to this gap
between income and what is considered market rent in Massachusetts.
A few of the study’s findings
include the continued need for
housing subsidies for families with
low income, a longer period of time
given for subsidies (initial HPRP
subsidies were for one year only),
the importance of housing services
such as negotiations with landlords
during the lease-up period and to
address tenancy problems, as well as
accompanying stabilization services
(education and workforce and asset
development, etc.). A broader
conclusion from the study underscored the urgency for the state to
create additional affordable housing
opportunities.
“This study confirms that with
assistance and support, families can
obtain and maintain housing,” said
Chris Norris, MBHP’s executive
director. “Investing in families pays
dividends in many ways, but like most
investments, it takes time and persis-
4
tence to obtain high quality results.
It does not happen overnight.”
The report was made possible,
in part, through funding provided
by the Massachusetts Department
of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) with federal CSBG
Special Projects funds. It follows
up on a previous report MBHP
published in November of 2010,
which was a preliminary study on
the re-housing of families in the
Commonwealth as it was taking
place. The reports are available at
www.mbhp.org.
MBHP’S PROGRAMS
•R
ental Assistance: Section 8 housing
voucher and other subsidy programs
working with 4,300 property owners
and serving 7,600 disabled, elderly,
formerly homeless, and other
individ­uals and families throughout
Greater Boston. Included are subsidies for people with special needs
requiring both housing and support
services. Other voucher initiatives
target tenants striving for greater
economic self-sufficiency.
•H
ousing Supports: Programs that
serve tenants, property owners
and others with securing, stabilizing,
or improving their housing. These
include:
HomeBASE: a short-term housing
transition program that provides
alternatives to shelter by preventing,
diverting, and re-housing homeless
families and those at imminent risk
of homelessness.
Housing Consumer Education Center:
An integrated network of services
that provides housing-related infor-
Congratulations Team MBHP!
Thank You Donors!
T
E
his past April, MBHP was
honored to be represented by
four dedicated runners in the 116th
Boston Marathon. As part of John
Hancock Financial Services’ Boston
Marathon Non-Profit Program, MBHP
had been granted four entries into
the historic race to raise funds for its
programs. We are proud to announce
that Team MBHP—Linda Ozier,
Hannah Lodi, Maria Dias, Trudy
Frasch, as well as coach/captain
Jesse Edsell-Vetter—raised a total of
$22,862 (so far) for the organization.
“Running for team MPHP was truly
an amazing and rewarding experience on many different levels,” said
Hannah Lodi after finishing the race.
“I am very thankful for the support
of my friends, family, and co-workers
throughout my training and on race
day, and feel so grateful to have
had the opportunity to aid such a
worthy cause and organization.”
While unseasonably high temperatures may have made for slower than
usual finish times, Team MBHP still
Hannah Lodi, at mile 25 in record-setting,
87-degree heat, was one of four runners
from Team MBHP participating in this
year’s Boston Marathon.
managed to set a torrid pace in their
fundraising. Even with additional
funds still expected to come in, they
have already exceeded the fundraising
goals set by John Hancock’s Boston
Marathon Non-Profit Program. Way to
go, Team MBHP!
ach year MBHP takes time out to
recognize its supporters, without
whom we would not be able to
provide so many housing programs
and services to the families of
Greater Boston. On May 15, MBHP
held a Donor Appreciation Breakfast,
generously hosted by Boston Private
Bank & Trust, to show our tremendous gratitude to the many institutions and individuals who make it
possible for MBHP to do its work.
State Representative Kevin
Honan gave the featured remarks at
the event, providing great insight
into the successes of the different
state housing programs, and what is
needed to sustain them. Recognizing
the impact of MBHP, Honan spoke
of routinely driving by a motel being
used by the state to shelter families
State Representative Kevin Honan, seen with MBHP Executive Director Chris Norris
and MBHP Board member Esther Schlorholtz, gave the keynote address.
Tonya Marshall, a recent graduate of the
FSS program, also spoke at the event.
on his daily commute, and appreciating the work MBHP had done in
helping these families find housing.
Honan, who chairs the Joint Committee on Housing, also emphasized the
importance of private dollars to fill
the needs not met by state funds.
To provide a more personal
appreciation, two MBHP clients
also spoke at the event, sharing their
stories and the way in which MBHP’s
privately-funded programs assisted in
their lives. Bill Pistorino spoke about
MBHP’s role in helping him get a loan
modification to avoid foreclosure.
Tonya Marshall ended the event with
an emotional speech about her
mation, workshops, programs and
emergency financial assistance.
Specialized Intensive Programs and
Services: Individualized assistance to
residents who have faced domestic
violence, mental health or substance
abuse issues, chronic homelessness,
hoarding issues and other traumas.
Fair Housing Technical Assistance:
Trainings and technical assistance
to tenants and property owners on
their rights and responsibilities under
federal and state fair housing laws.
Foreclosure Prevention and Tenancy
Preservation: Serves property owners
facing foreclosure and tenants facing
eviction due to foreclosure.
•R
eal Estate Services: Equity services
and asset management oversight,
a loan program that keeps homes
accessible for elders or people
with disabilities, and affordable
HPRP Report Published
T
his past April, MBHP teamed up
with the Center for Social Policy
(CSP) at UMass-Boston to publish a
study on the Commonwealth’s rapid
re-housing of families experiencing
homelessness.
The study, entitled Rapid
Re-housing of Families Experiencing
Homelessness in Massachusetts:
Maintaining Housing Stability,
focused on the experiences of 486
Massachusetts families living in
shelters or motels who received
rapid re-housing assistance from six
agencies covering four sections of the
state. The re-housing program was
funded as part of the Homelessness
Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing
Program (HPRP), made possible
home ownership opportunities.
2
by The American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act of 2009.
The authors of the study (UMassBoston Senior Research Fellows Tim
H. Davis and Terry Saunders Lane)
looked at the housing and economic
stability of these families after 12–18
months of program participation,
and made conclusions regarding
outcomes, as well as recommendations going forward.
Of the 486 families participating
in the study, 81% remained in a
stable housing situation and therefore
out of the shelter system. Due to the
disparity between income and rent
prices, the large majority of these
families (77%) continue to receive
continued on page 4
DONOR SPOTLIGHT: THE BOSTON FOUNDATION
M
struggle to balance motherhood,
housing, school and a career, and her
eventual triumph at graduating from
the Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS)
program. “Graduating from college
and the FSS program has had such a
positive impact on me,” said Tonya,
“I feel more confident in becoming
someone tremendous in life. It has
helped me to become a more positive
role model for my family and shown
them that anyone can succeed as
long as you strive for excellence.”
The breakfast was a reminder of
how grateful we at MBHP feel to
have such sustained and consistent
support from loyal donors.
RECENT GRANTS (OVER $1,000) SINCE APRIL 2012
•B
ushrod H. Campbell and Adah F. Hall Charity Fund: $4,000 in support of our Housing Supports Programs work with elders
• Citi: $11,000 in support of our Housing Supports: Housing to Home
• Lawrence Model Lodging Houses Trust: $5,000 in support of our Housing Supports: Housing to Home
•M
etro Boston Regional Network to End Homelessness: $20,000 in support of our Emergency Assistance Fund
•M
ulford Foundation: $15,000 in support of our Emergency Assistance Fund
•P
rocter & Gamble Corporate Giving Fund: $20,000 in support of our Housing Supports Programs
•S
ailors’ Snug Harbor of Boston: $7,500 in support of our Housing Supports’ work with elders
•T
D Charitable Foundation: $3,500 in support of Housing Supports programs’ Rapid Re-Housing/Housing Search work
3
BHP has enjoyed a long and
fruitful relationship with The
Boston Foundation. For more than
twenty years, The Boston Foundation
has proven to be a stalwart contributor to our organization and mission.
From helping to keep elderly
residents in their homes (Staying
Home Program), to aiding in our
foreclosure prevention and tenancy
preservation initiatives, to the more
recent push to expand the Family
Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program into
the Fairmount Corridor, The Boston
Foundation has been a vital piece in
the success of MBHP, and by extension, the families and individuals
participating in our programs.
“It has been such a pleasure
working with The Boston Foundation on the expansion of the Family
Self-Sufficiency program,” said FSS
Program Manager Jamie DeLude.
“It’s great to have a donor so in tune
with the challenges families face,
as well as the resources necessary to
help overcome those challenges.
Their support for our program has
been invaluable.”
MBHP is very proud to have
partnered with The Boston Foundation, and it would seem the feeling
The Boston Foundation’s Director of
Programs, Geeta Pradhan, has worked
closely with MBHP’s Family Self-Sufficiency program.
is mutual. “What has impressed us
most about MBHP is their commitment
to address the challenge of family
stability on a multitude of fronts,”
said Geeta Pradhan, Director of
Programs for the Boston Foundation.
“MBHP has taken our investment
in the Family Self Sufficiency program
and created a family asset development support system for families
along the Fairmount Corridor. In
addition, they have extended their
reach far beyond our grant to work
with families within the City of
Boston’s ‘Circle of Promise’ to
prevent homelessness.”
As our partnership with The
Boston Foundation continues into
its third decade, we look forward to
new ways to deepen our relationship. Just this past May, MBHP was
invited by The Boston Foundation
to be an “early adopter” of their
Giving Common fundraising
platform. Giving Common is The
Boston Foundation’s new webbased database that allows nonprofits,
donors and the general public to
research and discover information
on nonprofit organizations, and
provides a way for individuals to
easily make donations through
the site.
In addition to its programmatic
partnerships, MBHP has enjoyed
having the representation of The
Boston Foundation on our Board of
Directors, with TBF Donor Services
Officer Christopher Harris serving
since 2010.
HPRP Report Published continued from page 2
either a short- or long-term rental
subsidy in order to afford market
rent. Many of the study’s conclusions
are intrinsically tied to this gap
between income and what is considered market rent in Massachusetts.
A few of the study’s findings
include the continued need for
housing subsidies for families with
low income, a longer period of time
given for subsidies (initial HPRP
subsidies were for one year only),
the importance of housing services
such as negotiations with landlords
during the lease-up period and to
address tenancy problems, as well as
accompanying stabilization services
(education and workforce and asset
development, etc.). A broader
conclusion from the study underscored the urgency for the state to
create additional affordable housing
opportunities.
“This study confirms that with
assistance and support, families can
obtain and maintain housing,” said
Chris Norris, MBHP’s executive
director. “Investing in families pays
dividends in many ways, but like most
investments, it takes time and persis-
4
tence to obtain high quality results.
It does not happen overnight.”
The report was made possible,
in part, through funding provided
by the Massachusetts Department
of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) with federal CSBG
Special Projects funds. It follows
up on a previous report MBHP
published in November of 2010,
which was a preliminary study on
the re-housing of families in the
Commonwealth as it was taking
place. The reports are available at
www.mbhp.org.
MBHP in the News!
O
ver the past several months,
MBHP has had the good
fortune to make several appearances
in a wide range of media outlets. It
is our hope that as we continue to
be successful in presenting our story
and the stories of our program
participants to the public, increased
attention will be placed on the
families and individuals who deal
with homelessness and the threat of
homelessness every day in Massachusetts. The more people know
about the state’s housing situation,
the better chances we have of
addressing its problems.
Here’s a list of a handful of
media stories involving MBHP in the
last few months. To view the stories,
go to the media page of our website
at www.mbhp.org.
3/28/2012
CEDAC Home Mod Loan
Program Completes 1,500
Loans (Banker & Tradesman)
MBHP Executive Director Chris
Norris is quoted in a Banker &
Tradesman article on our successful
administering of Home Mod Loans,
and what these (largely no-interest)
loans mean to its recipients.
4/7/2012
Maria Dias Runs Boston
Marathon for MBHP
(Worcester Telegram)
Short piece in the Worcester Telegram
about Maria Dias’ decision to run the
Boston Marathon in support of MBHP.
4/19/2012
Study Explores the
Complexities of Homelessness
(Dorchester Reporter)
MBHP is mentioned and one of its
clients is featured in a Dorchester
Reporter story that discusses the
4/20/2012
New Report Finds HPRP Funds
Provide Short-Term Housing
Stability; More Permanent
Housing Subsidies Needed
(National Low Income
Housing Coalition website)
The NLIHC website posts a story for
their resource library on the HPRP
Report MBHP published in April.
mbhp UPDATE
NON-PROFIT
U.S. POSTAGE
results of the HPRP Report MBHP
published in April.
PAID
WOBURN, MA
PERMIT NO. 88
125 Lincoln Street, 5th Floor
Boston, MA 02111-2503
(617) 859-0400 • www.mbhp.org
Metropolitan Boston Housing Partnership • 125 Lincoln Street, 5th Floor • Boston, MA 02111-2503 • (617) 859-0400 www.mbhp.org
T
Co-Location Strategy Offers Increased Services
MISSION STATEMENT
MBHP’s mission is to ensure that the
region’s low- and moderate-income
individuals and families have choice and
mobility in finding and retaining decent
affordable housing; all of our programs
5/17/2012
Locals Learn Affordable
Housing a Universal Concern
(West Roxbury Transcript)
MBHP Executive Director Chris
Norris is quoted and featured in a
West Roxbury Transcript story on his
trip (along with other affordable
housing leaders) to meet and share
ideas with affordable housing
organizations in Israel.
and initiatives are designed to encourage
housing stability, increase economic
self-sufficiency, and enhance the quality
of the lives of those we serve. To achieve
our mission and to promote efficient
service delivery, we work collaboratively
with a broad array of service providers
and neighborhood-based organizations.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
Steven Rioff, Co-Chair
MB Management Company
Cynthia Lacasse, Co-Chair
John Hancock Realty Advisors, Inc.
John Hancock Financial Services, Inc.
Co-Location Strategy Offers Increased Services
continued from cover
“Because of these co-locations, we’re
able to offer workshops and housing
services close to home, while at
the same time strengthening our
community-based partnerships,”
continues Fulton. “It’s a win-win for
all involved.”
MBHP offers three different
kinds of support at our co-locations:
1) Outreach for participation into
MBHP’s Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS)
program, 2) Information, referral and
counseling services for housing
concerns, and 3) Re-examinations for
rental voucher participants. An
added benefit of the co-locations is
that it makes it easier and quicker
for many families and individuals to
receive the assistance they need.
One of MBHP’s co-location
strategies is to focus on partnering
with schools in and around Greater
Boston. For example, MBHP staff
run monthly sessions at the Marshall
Elementary School in Dorchester,
working specifically in the Family
Nurturing Center (a program run by
Dorchester Cares). At the Center,
MBHP provides a host of different
support services to parents and
community members, such as help
with housing, career/life counseling,
and outreach for participation in the
FSS Program. This first step toward
becoming a presence in the schools
is an exciting new development for
MBHP, as the organization has also
begun to forge meaningful partnerships with a collective of city and
5
Handheld Tablet
community organizations known as
the Circle of Promise. This collective
provides holistic support services for
the region’s most underserved schools.
We are also proud to be part of
CONNECT, a new Chelsea-based
coalition of agencies located at The
Neighborhood Developers which
bundles various services together
(housing, employment, education,
etc.). Another partner is Bunker Hill
Community College and its Single
Stop program, which links students
up with benefits, tax credits and
services. MBHP’s joint efforts with
organizations like Dorchester Bay
EDC and Codman Square NDC in
the Fairmount Corridor is yet another
instance of great partnerships at work.
SUMMER 2012
continued from cover
language, and by being more legible
as handwriting can often be misread.
“With the tablet, the understanding or
interpretation of what we’re asking
the landlord to do will be a whole lot
easier,” says Chaney, “It should
definitely be more consistent. That
should create better results for the
landlords, making it easier for them
to know what is required in order to
pass inspections.”
There’s also an added bonus to
using the tablets—time saved. “It will
definitely be a quicker, more efficient
inspection,” says Chaney. “It will
definitely be a quicker inspection.
That’s good for everyone.”
Replacing paper-based inspections with digital tablets provides yet
another example of MBHP’s emphasis on innovation and leadership in
the housing field.
JOIN US AT OUR FIFTH ANNUAL FOUNDERS CELEBRATION
On November 14, MBHP will hold its Fifth Annual Founders Celebration
at State Street Financial Center. We will honor the life and work of
Lowell Richards, MBHP’s longtime Co-Chair of its Board of Directors.
Richards will be posthumously receiving the Founders Award for his
lengthy, dedicated service to MBHP and its mission.
MBHP is also proud to feature Aaron Gornstein, Undersecretary of the
Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development
(DHCD), as the event’s keynote speaker. Mr. Gornstein has deep ties to
the state’s affordable housing community. Before being recently named
Undersecretary of DHCD, Mr. Gornstein had been the Executive Director
of the Citizens’ Housing and Planning Association (CHAPA) since 1990.
State Street is generously hosting the event. Appetizers and drinks will
Elizabeth Gruber, Treasurer
Bank of America Merrill Lynch
MBHP Case Management Specialist
Malcolm Lucas assists a client at the
Family Nurturing Center, one of MBHP’s
school-based co-locations.
“The staff here at MBHP is really
excited about bringing our services
to the neighborhoods and towns
of Greater Boston,” says Assistant
Director of Client Services Kate Fulton.
continued on page 5
Nader Acevedo, Hispanic-American
Chamber of Commerce of Greater Boston
MBHP Unveils Handheld Tablet for Inspections
Kevin Boyle, Citizens Bank
of Massachusetts
BHP inspectors now have a
new tool for the digital age.
They will soon be using handheld
tablets on their inspections instead of
the handwritten, carbonless paper
forms that have been in use for
years. This will dramatically improve
the inspection process for property
owners, tenants and MBHP staff.
The move to electronic forms
will increase readability, timeliness,
and efficiency, making the decision
to go paperless a relatively easy one.
MBHP Inspector John Chaney
has already tested out the new
tablets, and is excited about the new
technology. For Chaney, one of the
best features of the tablet is that it will
reduce guesswork by using a uniform
Susanne Marzi Cameron, Citi
Donald Conover, State Street Corporation
Lyndia Downie, Pine Street Inn
Christopher Harris, The Boston Foundation
Langley Keyes, Massachusetts Institute
of Technology (retired)
Chrystal Kornegay, Urban Edge Housing
Corporation
Terry Saunders Lane, Lane Consulting
Services, University of Massachusetts
Boston
be provided.
Sponsorship opportunities are still available. Please contact Mary Jo
Matthew A. Martinez, Beacon Hill
Property Group
Esther Schlorholtz, Boston Private
Bank & Trust Company
Donald E. Vaughan, Burns & Levinson, LLP
6
s a way to be more visible in the
communities we serve and to be
more responsive to our clients and
their housing needs, MBHP has begun
offering services in several locations
with partner agencies throughout our
region. This co-location strategy allows
us to forge and strengthen partnerships with community-based groups.
Organizations such as The Family
Nurturing Center, The Neighborhood
Developers, Bunker Hill Community
College, Urban Edge, Dorchester Bay
EDC and others are providing space
in their offices for MBHP staff to reach
out to program participants. Partnering
with these agencies and using their
expertise in the community increases
our ability to effectively serve those
in need of housing assistance.
Mark Nuccio, Clerk
Ropes & Gray LLP
Ronald G. Marlow, Commonwealth of
Massachusetts, Executive Office for
Administration and Finance
Kane at (617) 425-6705 for more information.
A
M
MBHP inspector John Chaney demonstrates the new handheld tablet device
that will be used on future inspections.
continued on page 6
ever yon e de s er ve s a place t o cal l h om e
MBHP in the News!
O
ver the past several months,
MBHP has had the good
fortune to make several appearances
in a wide range of media outlets. It
is our hope that as we continue to
be successful in presenting our story
and the stories of our program
participants to the public, increased
attention will be placed on the
families and individuals who deal
with homelessness and the threat of
homelessness every day in Massachusetts. The more people know
about the state’s housing situation,
the better chances we have of
addressing its problems.
Here’s a list of a handful of
media stories involving MBHP in the
last few months. To view the stories,
go to the media page of our website
at www.mbhp.org.
3/28/2012
CEDAC Home Mod Loan
Program Completes 1,500
Loans (Banker & Tradesman)
MBHP Executive Director Chris
Norris is quoted in a Banker &
Tradesman article on our successful
administering of Home Mod Loans,
and what these (largely no-interest)
loans mean to its recipients.
4/7/2012
Maria Dias Runs Boston
Marathon for MBHP
(Worcester Telegram)
Short piece in the Worcester Telegram
about Maria Dias’ decision to run the
Boston Marathon in support of MBHP.
4/19/2012
Study Explores the
Complexities of Homelessness
(Dorchester Reporter)
MBHP is mentioned and one of its
clients is featured in a Dorchester
Reporter story that discusses the
4/20/2012
New Report Finds HPRP Funds
Provide Short-Term Housing
Stability; More Permanent
Housing Subsidies Needed
(National Low Income
Housing Coalition website)
The NLIHC website posts a story for
their resource library on the HPRP
Report MBHP published in April.
mbhp UPDATE
NON-PROFIT
U.S. POSTAGE
results of the HPRP Report MBHP
published in April.
PAID
WOBURN, MA
PERMIT NO. 88
125 Lincoln Street, 5th Floor
Boston, MA 02111-2503
(617) 859-0400 • www.mbhp.org
Metropolitan Boston Housing Partnership • 125 Lincoln Street, 5th Floor • Boston, MA 02111-2503 • (617) 859-0400 www.mbhp.org
T
Co-Location Strategy Offers Increased Services
MISSION STATEMENT
MBHP’s mission is to ensure that the
region’s low- and moderate-income
individuals and families have choice and
mobility in finding and retaining decent
affordable housing; all of our programs
5/17/2012
Locals Learn Affordable
Housing a Universal Concern
(West Roxbury Transcript)
MBHP Executive Director Chris
Norris is quoted and featured in a
West Roxbury Transcript story on his
trip (along with other affordable
housing leaders) to meet and share
ideas with affordable housing
organizations in Israel.
and initiatives are designed to encourage
housing stability, increase economic
self-sufficiency, and enhance the quality
of the lives of those we serve. To achieve
our mission and to promote efficient
service delivery, we work collaboratively
with a broad array of service providers
and neighborhood-based organizations.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
Steven Rioff, Co-Chair
MB Management Company
Cynthia Lacasse, Co-Chair
John Hancock Realty Advisors, Inc.
John Hancock Financial Services, Inc.
Co-Location Strategy Offers Increased Services
continued from cover
“Because of these co-locations, we’re
able to offer workshops and housing
services close to home, while at
the same time strengthening our
community-based partnerships,”
continues Fulton. “It’s a win-win for
all involved.”
MBHP offers three different
kinds of support at our co-locations:
1) Outreach for participation into
MBHP’s Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS)
program, 2) Information, referral and
counseling services for housing
concerns, and 3) Re-examinations for
rental voucher participants. An
added benefit of the co-locations is
that it makes it easier and quicker
for many families and individuals to
receive the assistance they need.
One of MBHP’s co-location
strategies is to focus on partnering
with schools in and around Greater
Boston. For example, MBHP staff
run monthly sessions at the Marshall
Elementary School in Dorchester,
working specifically in the Family
Nurturing Center (a program run by
Dorchester Cares). At the Center,
MBHP provides a host of different
support services to parents and
community members, such as help
with housing, career/life counseling,
and outreach for participation in the
FSS Program. This first step toward
becoming a presence in the schools
is an exciting new development for
MBHP, as the organization has also
begun to forge meaningful partnerships with a collective of city and
5
Handheld Tablet
community organizations known as
the Circle of Promise. This collective
provides holistic support services for
the region’s most underserved schools.
We are also proud to be part of
CONNECT, a new Chelsea-based
coalition of agencies located at The
Neighborhood Developers which
bundles various services together
(housing, employment, education,
etc.). Another partner is Bunker Hill
Community College and its Single
Stop program, which links students
up with benefits, tax credits and
services. MBHP’s joint efforts with
organizations like Dorchester Bay
EDC and Codman Square NDC in
the Fairmount Corridor is yet another
instance of great partnerships at work.
SUMMER 2012
continued from cover
language, and by being more legible
as handwriting can often be misread.
“With the tablet, the understanding or
interpretation of what we’re asking
the landlord to do will be a whole lot
easier,” says Chaney, “It should
definitely be more consistent. That
should create better results for the
landlords, making it easier for them
to know what is required in order to
pass inspections.”
There’s also an added bonus to
using the tablets—time saved. “It will
definitely be a quicker, more efficient
inspection,” says Chaney. “It will
definitely be a quicker inspection.
That’s good for everyone.”
Replacing paper-based inspections with digital tablets provides yet
another example of MBHP’s emphasis on innovation and leadership in
the housing field.
JOIN US AT OUR FIFTH ANNUAL FOUNDERS CELEBRATION
On November 14, MBHP will hold its Fifth Annual Founders Celebration
at State Street Financial Center. We will honor the life and work of
Lowell Richards, MBHP’s longtime Co-Chair of its Board of Directors.
Richards will be posthumously receiving the Founders Award for his
lengthy, dedicated service to MBHP and its mission.
MBHP is also proud to feature Aaron Gornstein, Undersecretary of the
Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development
(DHCD), as the event’s keynote speaker. Mr. Gornstein has deep ties to
the state’s affordable housing community. Before being recently named
Undersecretary of DHCD, Mr. Gornstein had been the Executive Director
of the Citizens’ Housing and Planning Association (CHAPA) since 1990.
State Street is generously hosting the event. Appetizers and drinks will
Elizabeth Gruber, Treasurer
Bank of America Merrill Lynch
MBHP Case Management Specialist
Malcolm Lucas assists a client at the
Family Nurturing Center, one of MBHP’s
school-based co-locations.
“The staff here at MBHP is really
excited about bringing our services
to the neighborhoods and towns
of Greater Boston,” says Assistant
Director of Client Services Kate Fulton.
continued on page 5
Nader Acevedo, Hispanic-American
Chamber of Commerce of Greater Boston
MBHP Unveils Handheld Tablet for Inspections
Kevin Boyle, Citizens Bank
of Massachusetts
BHP inspectors now have a
new tool for the digital age.
They will soon be using handheld
tablets on their inspections instead of
the handwritten, carbonless paper
forms that have been in use for
years. This will dramatically improve
the inspection process for property
owners, tenants and MBHP staff.
The move to electronic forms
will increase readability, timeliness,
and efficiency, making the decision
to go paperless a relatively easy one.
MBHP Inspector John Chaney
has already tested out the new
tablets, and is excited about the new
technology. For Chaney, one of the
best features of the tablet is that it will
reduce guesswork by using a uniform
Susanne Marzi Cameron, Citi
Donald Conover, State Street Corporation
Lyndia Downie, Pine Street Inn
Christopher Harris, The Boston Foundation
Langley Keyes, Massachusetts Institute
of Technology (retired)
Chrystal Kornegay, Urban Edge Housing
Corporation
Terry Saunders Lane, Lane Consulting
Services, University of Massachusetts
Boston
be provided.
Sponsorship opportunities are still available. Please contact Mary Jo
Matthew A. Martinez, Beacon Hill
Property Group
Esther Schlorholtz, Boston Private
Bank & Trust Company
Donald E. Vaughan, Burns & Levinson, LLP
6
s a way to be more visible in the
communities we serve and to be
more responsive to our clients and
their housing needs, MBHP has begun
offering services in several locations
with partner agencies throughout our
region. This co-location strategy allows
us to forge and strengthen partnerships with community-based groups.
Organizations such as The Family
Nurturing Center, The Neighborhood
Developers, Bunker Hill Community
College, Urban Edge, Dorchester Bay
EDC and others are providing space
in their offices for MBHP staff to reach
out to program participants. Partnering
with these agencies and using their
expertise in the community increases
our ability to effectively serve those
in need of housing assistance.
Mark Nuccio, Clerk
Ropes & Gray LLP
Ronald G. Marlow, Commonwealth of
Massachusetts, Executive Office for
Administration and Finance
Kane at (617) 425-6705 for more information.
A
M
MBHP inspector John Chaney demonstrates the new handheld tablet device
that will be used on future inspections.
continued on page 6
ever yon e de s er ve s a place t o cal l h om e