Mayor Martin J. Walsh announced his comprehensive housing security and economic mobility legislative package on Jan. 7. The 14 bills are the first of four legislative packages that the City of Boston will be submitting to the Massachusetts Legislature. The six housing bills concern programs and issues such as the Linkage Program, the Community Preservation…
Protests against Kavanaugh bookend the week in Boston
The week leading up to Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation to the Supreme Court of the United States started and ended with rallies protesting his appointment. On Monday, Oct. 1, hundreds of people gathered on City Hall Plaza next to a Forbes 30 Under 30 event where Senator Jeff Flake was scheduled to speak. Flake had called…
With thousands more projected to live in Boston by 2030, city plans to add affordable housing changes
Census data from 2016 has Boston rethinking its housing goals for 2030, which is projected to see 59,000 more residents than anticipated. City officials released a revised version of their Imagine Boston 2030 plan that includes building an additional 16,000 units by 2030, upping the 2030 projected population of people in Boston from 709,000 by…
Pine Street Inn Regular Recognized for Shelter Garden
The Pine Street Inn was recognized as the first-place winner for the “Storefront, Organization, or Main Street District” category of Mayor Martin Walsh’s 2018 Garden Contest in Boston. Pine Street Inn staff also recognized their tenant AJ for his hard work in tending to the garden for many years. “AJ has managed the garden for…
Boston Women’s Shelter finishes renovations
Alisha Bernard began singing when she was very young, found success performing throughout New England and had an opportunity to sign a record deal. But even as her voice soared, she struggled with personal challenges; depression and drug use. Ultimately, that professional opportunity was lost. She found herself as a guest at Woods-Mullen, an emergency…
Boston names first black police commissioner, but activists say there’s still a lot of work to do
William Gross made history on July 23 when he became Boston’s first ever black police commissioner. Mayor Martin J. Walsh announced Gross’s appointment, which will begin on August 5. Both Walsh and outgoing commissioner William Evans had glowing words for Gross and his 33 year career at the Boston Police Department. “I don’t think the…
Boston receives federal grant to help homeless youth
Mayor Walsh poses with members of the Bridge Over Troubled Waters community. Photo by author. On Tuesday, July 17, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development announced that Boston will be one of 11 communities to receive a part of a $43 million dollar grant to help end youth homelessness. The announcement was made…
Domonique Williams Appointed Boston’s Deputy Director of the Office of Housing Stability’s
On Wednesday, April 4, Domonique Williams became Boston’s Office of Housing Stability’s new deputy director. Williams is a Roxbury resident and former housing attorney, and Mayor Marty Walsh — who announced Williams’ appointment through a press release — hopes that under her leadership, the city can expand its efforts to tackle a burgeoning housing crisis.…
Walsh Explores Mass Litigation Against Pharmaceutical Companies for Role in Opioid Crisis
Boston Mayor Marty Walsh announced Monday, Jan. 22 that his office is considering mass tort litigation against several pharmaceutical companies for their role in the ongoing opioid crisis affecting the city and the United States as a whole. The potential move follows the lead of other Massachusetts municipalities — such as Quincy and Greenfield —…
Boston Mayor Marty Walsh wins second term: a recap from both candidates election night watch parties
Walsh celebrates reelection. Photo: Rida Ashraf. An exuberant crowd of Mayor Marty Walsh supporters at Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel chanted “We are Boston, we are one” Tuesday night, following the announcement of the incumbent’s sweeping victory in the Boston elections. This will be Walsh’s second four-year-term as the Boston mayor. “Four years ago, my dream…