Author: Dilia Ramirez

Home loans to help the disabled

Sunday, February 24, 2013
Home loans to help the disabled
When my mother became too unsteady on her feet several years ago to navigate from her back stoop to the garage, we had a carpenter build a railing around the stoop stairs and install a grab bar along the back of the house. The whole project ran maybe $1,000, a sum she could afford. If she couldn’t, family would have helped.
Sometimes though, even with family giving a hand, money is too tight for some people to make such needed renovations to their homes.
The Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC) has a Home Modification Loan Program that can help.
Established by the state Legislature in 1999, and refinanced several times, it has been expanded to include not just those with physical disabilities, but with cognitive, developmental, and neurological disabilities, and chemical sensitivities as well.
It covers simple things like ramp or bathroom grab bars or widened doorways.
Any homeowner who is a frail elder or has a disability, has a household member who has a disability, or rents to someone with a disability (in a building with fewer than 10 units) can apply for this loan.
Depending on the income, you can borrow between $1,000 and $30,000 to make improvements that will allow you to remain living in your home. The improvements have to relate specifically to the applicant’s disability and his or her ability to function on a daily basis.
Depending on income, some loans carry 3 percent interest and must be repaid in installments over five to 15 years. Some are 0 percent interest and not payable until the property is sold or has its title transferred.
Homeowners are allowed to hire the designer and/or the contractor of their choice.
These are one-time loans. Borrowers cannot come back for more funding for the same property once their project is complete.
Eligibility guidelines and instructions on how to apply can be found on the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission’s website –www.mass.gov/mrc/hmlp.
You can also call (617) 204-3739; or (800) 245-6543 (voice/ TDD) or email susan.gillam@state.ma.us.
You can also write to Home Modification Loan Program, Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission, 27 Wormwood St. Suite 600; Boston MA 02210, attn. Susan Gillam.

© Copyright 2013 Media News group
URL: http://www.berkshireeagle.com/ci_22656643/home-loans-help-disabled

SourceThe Berkshire Eagle

Benfield developer requests tax agreement

Wednesday, January 30 2013

Benfield developer requests tax agreement

by Cecile Sandwen

Whereas most property in Carlisle is taxed on a market value, the Benfield developer has asked for an income-based approach for the as-yet-unbuilt Benfield Farms affordable senior housing. This is because affordability restrictions will limit rental income, and thus ability to pay taxes. All 26 units must be affordable. The Carlisle Board of Assessors (BOA) agree that the income method is reasonable, but will be reviewing the numbers carefully.

The Neighborhood of Affordable Housing (NOAH) will be the developer and manager of the affordable senior housing and has submitted a letter dated January 7 to the BOA requesting a preliminary tax determination. The letter is required in order to obtain financing, and would show that the town is in agreement on the methodology even though a determination of value cannot be finalized until the project is completed.

Based on the results from other towns, NOAH has projected income and expenses for the first stable year and proposed a value for FY15 of $1,313,013. A memo from Assessor Melissa Stamps indicated that at this level, estimated taxes would be $23,214 and the CPA surcharge at 2% would be $429.

It may surprise some that NOAH, a non-profit, would be paying taxes. A subsidiary for-profit, Benfield Farms Limited Partnership, will be the owner of Benfield in order to take advantage of low-income housing financing programs. As a result, the property will be taxable.

BOA Chair Jim Marchant said that he met with NOAH on January 28, and there are some issues still to be resolved. Marchant said that any agreement now could be changed once actual income and expenses are known. He noted, however, that there is currently no similar taxed entity in Carlisle, as Village Court is a non-profit. The board is conscious of the precedent that could be set for any future 40B projects.

The letter from NOAH also proposes enhanced services in lieu of taxes. A residential service coordinator would provide for “senior activities and needs that can assist tenants in the building and participant seniors in town.” Marchant noted that this and any other proposals will considered. He expects a letter outlining the agreement to be issued next week. NOAH hopes to complete financing and begin construction in the spring.

Loans announced

On January 17, The Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation (CEDAC) announced it will be providing loans in the amount of $514,000 for the project. “We are always thrilled to see progress in affordable housing production projects that help those in need,” said Roger Herzog, executive director of CEDAC. “The Benfield Farms project in Carlisle will provide local seniors in need with access to quality, affordable homes that will facilitate independent living.” The announcement noted this “will help build housing options in a region that lags behind other parts of the state when it comes to affordable housing.” ∆

SourceCarlisle Mosquito, The

Tweet: MADHCD ‏@MA_DHCD

Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation Executive Director Roger Herzog signs #MASupportiveHousing MOU pic.twitter.com/kQjjCaqS

SourceTwitter

Highlight On: Children’s Investment Fund

November 21, 2012
Highlight On: Children’s Investment Fund
By hboyle
The Children’s Investment Fund (CIF) was founded in 1991, with a mission to help non-profits in Massachusetts to develop high quality facilities for early learning and youth programs. Their mission is grounded in the belief that children’s healthy growth and development depends on a safe physical environment. The quality of an early education program’s indoor and outdoor space contributes greatly to the overall quality of the child’s educational experience. For example, research demonstrates that facilities lacking in adequate space or appropriate heating and cooling systems detract from children’s ability to learn effectively.
CIF offers loans and grants to programs for renovation, expansion, and/or construction of new spaces for early education and youth programs. CIF’s loan programs offer borrowers more flexible terms then other lenders, and their grant programs include emergency facilities grants and small equipment grants. Since its inception, CIF has invested in 500 early childhood education(ECE) and out-of-school-time (OST) programs’ facilities improvement or expansion projects. This November, CIF distributed grants to six programs on the North Shore in the Lynn and Haverhill areas, for facilities improvements ranging from new windows to sinks in the classroom. In some cases, the grants made it possible for programs to apply for National Association for the Education of Young Children accreditation and will help with QRIS compliance.
By targeting non-profit programs, CIF aims to impact programs serving high-needs children who are more apt to attend a non-profit ECE or OST program. In this way, BTWIC and CIF are aligned in their efforts to improve the quality of early education for this vulnerable population.
CIF has released several important papers and reports documenting the condition of early learning and youth program facilities in MA. Most recently, CIF published the report: Building an Infrastructure for Quality: An Inventory of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Time Facilities in MA. The report is available here.
CIF will file a bond bill for facilities financing in January 2013, either as a stand-alone bill or as part of a larger community development bond bill sponsored by another advocacy organization. The United Way of Massachusetts Bay and the Merrimack Valley has agreed to work with CIF in its “Building Quality” campaign with the goal of securing funding to support the development costs for ECE and OST facilities across the Commonwealth. A copy of the bill and more information will be available soon.
Posted in Early Learning
URL: http://www.btwic.org/2012/11/21/highlight-on-childrens-investment-fund/
© 2012 Bessie Tartt Wilson Initiative for Children Inc.

SourceBessie Tartt Wilson Initiative for Children Inc.

Handicap access is Dracut man’s mission

SourceLowell Sun

Grants boost up Lynn nonprofits

Monday, November 5, 2012

Grants boost up Lynn nonprofits

By Chris Stevens / The Daily Item
LYNN — The child care program at the Lynn YMCA may seek accreditation for the first time thanks to a grant from the Children’s Investment Fund.

“One of the things holding us back is that we didn’t have hand-washing in each classroom,” said Tania Buck, senior director of After School and Government Relations for the YMCA Metro North. “This is a huge step.”

With a $4,500 grant from Children’s Investment Fund, Buck said she was able to purchase three portable sinks that gave them the last detail needed in order to apply for accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

Buck said when it comes to seeking money to upgrade facilities the Children’s Investment Fund, (CIF) is about the only game in town.

“I’ve worked with them for years, they’re wonderful,” she said.

The Children’s Investment Fund’s mission is to ensure that children “spend their days in physical environments that support healthy development and learning.” To meet that end it gives grants aimed at helping not-for-profit child care providers upgrade facilities and education spaces.

Mav Pardee, CIF’s program director, said they target nonprofits because those agencies tend to serve a high proportion of children on public subsidy. It is the first time in several years that CIF has targeted the North Shore.

“We know that providers on the North Shore want the highest quality space for the kids in their care, but often lack the resources to fund these repairs and improvements,” Pardee said.

Lynn Economic Opportunity Inc., and Catholic Charities Child Care of Lynn were also among the six grants CIF handed out. The other three were given to agencies in the Lawrence area.

LEO received funding to develop a playground while Catholic Charities received money to replace worn out windows.

Last year, CIF issued a report, “Building an Infrastructure for Quality,” based on the condition of nonprofit child care facilities around the state. Pardee said the report found that too often the spaces where early child care and after school programs operate need repairs or improvements in order to fulfill, what she called, “the commonwealth’s ambitious educational policy goals.”

“There is a lot of evidence that quality of a facility has an impact on a child’s health,” she added. “When we did a site visit up at Catholic Charities, it’s in an old school and there was air coming through the (closed) windows.”

Pardee said CIF is also interested in supporting teachers and the space they need as well.

“Many improvements that providers would like to make do not require a lot of money, but even small repairs and equipment replacement are often beyond their reach,” she said.

Buck said she is grateful for the ability to purchase the sinks, which coast $1,300 each.

“We only have bathrooms in one classroom, the other two classrooms were always transitioning back and forth to wash hands because as preschoolers they wash their hands all the time,” she said. “We’re really happy.”

Chris Stevens can be reached at cstevens@itemlive.com.

Copyright © 2012 The Daily Item
URL: http://www.itemlive.com/articles/2012/11/05/news/news02.txt

SourceThe Daily Item, Lynn

$16 Million Early Childhood Learning Center to Be Built at Bromley-Heath

November 2, 2012
$16 Million Early Childhood Learning Center to Be Built at Bromley-Heath
The state-of-the art center will have 12,000 square feet of outdoor natural play space.

By Chris Helms

A new $16 million early childhood center will be built at Bromley-Heath, officials announced Friday.
Hundreds gathered under a tent on the development’s basketball courts to celebrate the news.
“I can’t wait til this is built,” an elated State Representative Jeffrey Sánchez told the crowd. “This is going to be a lightbulb for this community.”
The center, to be run by Associated Early Care and Education, will be erected where a dilapidated three-story brick building stands. The old building used to be the home of the Martha Eliot Health Center, now ensconced in a new facility nearby.
“Getting to this point wasn’t easy,” said Wayne Ysaguirre, president and CEO of Associated Early Care and Education. He noted that the drive to build it began four years ago, just as the economy tanked.
Construction of the 20,000 square foot facility is slated to begin in late November and be finished by January 2014, according to the Mayor’s Office.
The center’s curriculum will include Science Technology Engineering & Math programs, physical fitness and the arts and after school programs focusing on nature and outdoor exploration. The center aims to serve not only the pre-Kindergarten age kids who are its main focus, but also the families of those children. Adults will be able to get parenting classes and coaching about finding and keeping work.
Ysaguirre said the center will be “unlike anything in Boston and, I suspect, in the nation.”
“This center is yours,” Ysaguirre said to the Bromley-Heath residents in attendence. “This center works if it works for you and your families.”
Several speakers alluded to the center’s role in what they hope will be narrowing the “achievement gap” between poor African-Americans and Latinos and the rest of the nation.
“This is about closing an opportunity gap,” Ysaguirre said. “The most creative people I know are poor people.”
Carol Johnson, the superintendent of Boston Public Schools, spoke in the place of Mayor Thomas Menino, who is recovering from a virus. She said the center would inspire young children to have a love of learning, reading and books such that they won’t “consider it a chore” to further their education.
“This [the achievement gap] is a totally solvable problem,” she said.
Many different government and private agencies are supporting the project. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is putting in $5 million. The United Way is giving $500,000 this year and $500,000 next year.
The biggest applause of the event came when a member of Gov. Deval Patrick’s cabinet announced the state would kick in $1.5 million.
Citing the ongoing work at nearby 225 Centre, where the massive steel superstructure is in place, Secretary Greg Bialecki of the Department of Housing and Economic Development said Patrick has his eye on the needs of Jackson Square.
“We will continue to make investments in this neighborhood until everyone feels the effects of the economic recovery,” Bialecki said.
Getting approval for the project required an act of the legislature. Two of the politicians who shepherded it through Beacon Hill spoke at Friday’s celebration: Sánchez and State Senator Sonia Chang-Díaz.
“This is going to unleash so much talent into our communities,” Chang-Díaz said. Like many speakers, she pointed to the importance of strong early childhood education for residents to succeed.
A big project like this doesn’t come together without lots of fundraising, of course. The point man for that fundraising, Jonathan Lonske, said all the effort will be worth it.
“I’ve spent my career in investments,” said the lanky, tall Lonske, “and this is hands-down the best investment I’ve ever seen.”

Copyright © 2012 Patch. All rights reserved.
URL: http://jamaicaplain.patch.com/articles/16-million-early-childhood-learning-center-to-be-built-at-bromley-heath

SourceJamaica Plain Patch

Bromley-Heath housing complex to get $16 million learning center that focuses on entire families

Metro
November 02, 2012
Bromley-Heath housing complex to get $16 million learning center that focuses on entire families
By Matt Rocheleau | Globe Correspondent
Boston officials and education leaders will break ground Friday on a $16 million learning center at the Bromley-Heath housing development that aims to teach children, their parents, and other members of their community in the same space.
“The more we looked at what really moves the dial for low-income, at-risk kids, we realized we had to focus on the economic stability of the entire family,” said Wayne Ysaguirre, head of Associated Early Care and Education, a Boston nonprofit that is spearheading the project.
The organization has specialized in teaching young children for more than a century and opened an early education center at Bromley-Heath 60 years ago. The complex is located where Jamaica Plain, Mission Hill, and Roxbury converge.
Latoya Taromino’s 3-year-old son, Anthony, is one of about 80 children enrolled at the old center. Working full time as a receptionist and raising three children by herself, the 31-year-old Bromley-Heath resident said she had struggled at times to teach her youngest son. He could not count to 10, for instance, and he fell behind his peers.
But since Anthony joined the early-learning program two summers ago, she said, he has made dramatic improvement. He can count to 30; he knows his ABCs and shapes; he speaks in clear, full sentences, she said. “He’s actually a little ahead.”
Already appreciative, she said, she could not have been more excited to learn about the new, cutting-edge center, ¬expected to open in 2014 .
The existing site at Bromley-Heath is located in an old basement. After trying for two decades, operators secured new property nearby four years ago, and planning began.
The core component will be early education. The new facility will have room for about 175 children up to age 8.
More than a dozen other organizations will share resources, including the Thrive in 5 initiative, which is run by the city and the United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley. The initiative prepares Boston children for kindergarten.
The center’s 150 educators will be required to have at least a bachelor’s degree, a high requirement for early education, Ysaguirre said.
The 20,000-square-foot facility will be run as a lab school, incorporating the latest research on creative curriculum and teaching methods.
The energy-efficient building will be paid for by a $5 million federal grant, a $1.5 million state grant, and private donations.
“We can’t engage a kid without engaging their parents,” said Kate Bennett, chief of development for the Boston Housing Authority, which oversees the city’s public housing.
Career-focused courses will be offered to about 150 adults. Another 700 can enroll in programs on parenting, financial stability, and nutrition.
Officials also envision that the center will improve the well-being of Bromley-Heath’s 1,800 residents. More than 40 percent of adults do not have a high school diploma.
“There’s so much going on in that community; they need a catalyst for change,” said state Representative Jeffrey Sanchez.
Sanchez said that when he was 4, he enrolled in the Associated Early Care and Education center in the Mission Main housing development after his Spanish-speaking family moved from New York City.
“It’s where I learned ¬English,” he said. “I hope more children who are in the same situation that I was in can ¬access programs like this.”
Matt Rocheleau can be reached at mjrochele@gmail.com.

© 2012 The New York Times Company
URL: http://bostonglobe.com/metro/2012/11/01/bromley-heath-housing-complex-get-million-learning-center-that-focuses-entire-families/qy1lDAdB6OZpMGmbMTWuZJ/story.html

SourceThe Boston Globe (Boston.Com Metro)

Old Colony Redevelopment, Phase 2

Old Colony Redevelopment, Phase 2
MassHousing has closed $33.4 million in construction financing for Phase Two of the redevelopment of Old Colony Apartments in South Boston. Phase Two will result in the demolition of 223 existing units and the construction of 95 apartments in two mid-rise buildings, as well as 34 new townhomes.
MassHousing also provided $26.7 million for Phase One of the project, which saw the demolition of seven blighted apartment buildings; the construction of 116 new units in one mid-rise building and four clusters of townhomes; and the construction of a new 10,000-square-foot community center. Here’s a video from the ribbon-cutting of Phase One:

Originally built in 1940, the 840-unit Old Colony is among the oldest public housing communities in the country, and is the most distressed property in the Boston Housing Authority’s portfolio. The property is being redeveloped in multiple phases over the next 10 to 12 years.
Permalink: http://masshousing.typepad.com/my_weblog/2012/11/old-colony-redevelopment-phase-2.html
TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.typepad.com/services/trackback/6a00e00989e0fb8833017ee4a44c93970d

As seen on Twitter:
MassHousing (@MassHousing)

11/2/12, 8:42 AM
MassHousing Blog: Old Colony Redevelopment, Phase 2 bit.ly/Ydczam

SourceThe MassHousing Blog

Little-known nonprofit taps heavyweights (again)

Ellis Memorial, a little-known nonprofit in the South End, recruited a powerful group of Boston business leaders to fund the renovation of its new building on Berkeley Street and plans to tap the same group for the renovation of the building next door.

Boston’s oldest settlement house, Ellis Memorial — a nonprofit that runs a range of social programs from early childhood education, to those for youth and the elderly — was forced to find new space when it was notified that the building at 95 Berkeley St., where it had been leasing space, would be going on the market. …

SourceBoston Business Journal