By Bob Katzen
The Accessible Housing Commission, Extremely Low-Income Housing Commission and Senior Housing Commission, all created by the Affordable Homes Act recently signed into law by Gov. Maura Healey, have begun working to address the housing challenges of people with accessibility needs, extremely low-income residents and people with accessibility needs.
Massachusetts’ first comprehensive statewide housing plan, A Home for Everyone, has identified 222,000 homes that need to be built in order to end the housing crisis in Massachusetts.
“The housing crisis has impacted everyone in one way or another, but for some, finding housing that fits their needs is exceptionally challenging,” said Ed Augustus, secretary of the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities. “These commissions are tasked with identifying those challenges and providing concrete recommendations and strategies to ensure everyone in Massachusetts – particularly seniors, residents on extremely low incomes and people with accessibility needs – can access the safe, affordable and dignified housing they need.”
$850,000 FOR LOCALLY GROWN, NUTRITIOUS FOOD IN SCHOOLS – The Healey Administration announced it is awarding $850,000 in state-funded, competitive Massachusetts Farming Reinforces Education and Student Health (FRESH) grants to 26 school districts and 11 early education and care programs. This funding supports the National School Lunch Program and the Child and Adult Care Food Program sponsors to start or expand their capacity to grow or procure local food and educate students, teachers, school nutrition professionals and staff about the local food system.
“While the Trump Administration continues to take away food from children and families, and hurt local businesses and farmers, Massachusetts is continuing to prioritize programs like these,” said Gov. Healey. “We know that our students succeed when they have access to healthy food, and we can create partnerships that support local businesses and farms in the process.”
“It’s important for students to understand where food comes from and how it is produced and prepared,” said Education Secretary Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. “The MA FRESH grants are an important tool that connect students to their local food system and produce, while also providing STEM educational opportunities focused on food literacy, nutrition, plant science and agriculture.”