[WestMALocals] Press Release | Broadhurst Campaign Housing Plan

[Owen Broadhurst]

 Owen R. Broadhurst
96 Elbert Road
Agawam, MA  01001-3202
413.786.1508
owen.broadhurst at gmail.com



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 – 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."


--
Owen R. Broadhurst
Candidate for State Representative
Third Hampden District
http://www.owenbroadhurst.org