MACDC President Joe Kriesberg and Executive Director of Asian CDC, Janelle Chan, now serve as two of several new members to the New England Community Development Advisory Council. This council provides instrumental support to the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston on issues pertinent to community development and ways in which the bank can improve communities and the lives of low and moderate income families. The council is representative of several different sectors from across New England, including academic institutions, foundations, community organizations, private non profit  developers, state and local government, and banks. The work of the Advisory Council plays a role in the larger system of Federal Reserve Banks as well, providing national support to community development initiatives as a whole. ​Joe Kriesberg has also been chosen to serve on the Housing Matters Advisory Committee. How Housing Matters, an organization sponsored by the MacArthur Foundation and the Urban Land Institute, produces key research on how education, economy, and health​ can be improved by affordable housing.Congratulations Joe and Janelle!

The City of Boston and Codman Square NDC surveyed eight small businesses on Washington Street, encouraging them to enroll in NSTAR’s Direct Install program that provides energy efficiency upgrades to small businesses. With the NSTAR Direct Install program, NSTAR would pay for 70% of energy efficiency upgrades that the small businesses may need. 

The four businesses moving forward with the energy upgrades offered through the NSTAR Direct Install program (including Flora’s Beauty Supply, Angel’s Meat Market, L&R Clothing and Footwear, and Saint’s Diner and Restaurant) they have an average energy savings of 52%. Codman Square NDC also participated in the program, and looks forward to including new solar panel systems on 4-6 buildings including their own, which would save roughly $3,721 in energy annually.​

On December 19^th, Governor Patrick’s administration announced $15 million in funding to develop 235 supportive housing units across the Commonwealth. These 235 units are part of Governor Patrick’s larger housing initiative to bring over 1,000 housing units to the Commonwealth, a number he has already tripled. Over half of these 235 homes will be built by the following MACDC members:​ 

• Harborlight Community Partners
• Inquilinos Boricuas En Accion
• Father Bill’s Mainspring
• Twin Cities Community Development Corporation
• North Shore Community Development Corporation
• South Middlesex Opportunity Council
• HAP Housing in Springfield
• HAP Housing

Sailors' Snug Harbor of Boston used the Community Investment Tax Credit to double their grant to Community Development Partnership (CDP) this year! Instead of their normal grant amount, Sailors' Snug Harbor of Boston awarded Community Development Partnership a $30,000 grant, allowing the organization to provide more business programs to the Cape's fishermen and shellfishermen.

When speaking of the Sailors' Snug Harbor of Boston's contribution to Community Development Partnership (CDP), Foundation Administrator Gracelaw Simmons said, "The trustees of Sailors' Snug Harbor of Boston are pleased to continue to support the CDP's work with local fishermen and shellfishermen. The Community Investment Tax Credit is an ideal vehicle for us to double our investment and ensure high quality programs and services remain available to help Cape Cod fishermen and shellfishermen working to survive and thrive in today's highly regulated and competitive market." The Community Investment Tax Credit allowed the foundation to give twice as much support to help meet their philanthropic goals in Massachusetts.

Learn more about Sailors Snug Harbor of Boston 

This past November, Hilltown CDC hosted “Keep Farming in the Hilltowns”in collaboration with Old Creamery Cooperative, consultant Melissa Adams, and the Agricultural Commissions. The community event hosted local residents, farmers, and businesses in the areas of Worthington, Williamsburg, Westhampton, Plainfield, Goshen, Cummington, Chesterfield, and Ashfield.

“Keep Farming in the Hilltowns”marked the launch of a grant given to Hilltown CDC by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for sustaining local food organizations. With this new resource at their disposal, residents, farmers, and businesses at the event were encouraged to strategize about how to sustain the local food system and promote the use of local food in their communities. With these strategies in mind, volunteers will then follow up with local businesses and farmers to determine a better infrastructure for the food industry moving forward, using the USDA grant to build upon these ideas.

Nuestra Comunidad recently opened their Washington Park Apartments in collaboration with Wise Urban Development and Winn Residential.  The 96 unit project will offer mixed-income rental housing for families in Roxbury and Dorchester communities.  These 96 units were a historic renovation that incorporated some of the highest rates of minority hiring, and women and minority-owned subcontractors.

John F. Barros, Chief of Economic Development, was the special guest speaker at the event.  Executive Director of Nuestra CDC, David Price, when speaking of the ribbon cutting, commented that  “Nuestra Comunidad is proud to celebrate the renovation of Washington Park Apartments for many reasons.  The most important is that 96 apartments will be stable, affordable homes for Roxbury and Dorchester families for many years to come.  We know that a platform of housing stability, security and affordability is a key to families’ success in education and work.”​

MACDC is thrilled to welcome the folllowing new members in 2014:

Downtown Taunton Foundation: Founded in 2011, the Downtown Taunton Foundation is a relatively new non-profit organization that works to provide affordable housing, encourage the arts, and lift up small businesses in their community. Led by Michael Wedge (President) and Michael Mattos (Vice President), we look forward to the partnerships that will be created with their new membership. Feel free to contact this organization via email at: info@downtowntaunton.org.

Jewish Community Housing for the Elderly: For an organization that has been around roughly 50 years, Jewish Community Housing for the Elderly keeps their community work fresh and exciting. JCHE, by which it is commonly known, works to provide elderly of diverse backgrounds with safe and manageable housing within a thriving community. With the President and CEO, Amy Schectman, JCHE brought in over $26 million dollars in total revenue sources in 2012. We are excited to help strengthen their work! For more information, feel free to contact JCHE via email at: info@jche.org.

Massachusetts Affordable Housing Alliance (MAHA): The Massachusetts Affordable Housing Alliance is an organization that fights for more affordable housing for low-income buyers in Massachusetts. In order to help fight for more affordable housing, they offer several services including the following classes: "Buying a Home", "Online Homebuying Course", "Owning a Home", and "Owning a Condo". These services help to empower community members and support their mission of fighting for more affordable housing. For more information on MAHA's services and goals, feel free to contact them via email at: info@mahahome.org.

Rebuilding Together Springfield: Rebuilding Together is a national organization that helps low-income families that are elderly, disabled, or unable to have repairs done to their house. Rebuilding Together Springfield, brings this same mission to Springfield, MA. Through helping this community with the much-needed repairs, they allow residents to age in their own homes, without being displaced. We look forward to hearing about their continued efforts in the community! For more information on Rebuilding Together Springfield, feel free to contact Susan Staples, the Director of Development, at: RTSpfld.Susan@gmail.com.