housing

US Attorney For Massachusetts Talks At Conference About Civil Rights Enforcement

Paul Tuthill — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 19:45:00 +0000

The top federal law enforcement official in Massachusetts highlighted efforts to enforce civil rights laws during a speech in Springfield on Friday. The U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts, Carmen Ortiz, was the keynote speaker at a conference marking the 45^th anniversary of the passage of the Federal Fair Housing Act.

HUD Considers Foreclosure On Tornado Damaged Housing Cooperative

Paul Tuthill — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 17:55:41 +0000

Efforts by residents of a low- income housing cooperative in Springfield, Massachusetts to recover from the June 2011 tornado have been dealt another setback. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development , which funded the 90- unit complex nearly 40 years ago, is weighing foreclosure.

Springfield City Council Rejects Changes To Foreclosure Ordinance

Paul Tuthill — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 19:27:00 +0000

City councilors in Springfield Massachusetts have voted to reject a settlement with several banks over a foreclosure ordinance.

The vote means the city can implement the ordinance even if the banks continue to challenge its legality in the federal appeals court. The ordinance, passed in 2011, and upheld by a federal judge last year requires banks to post a$10,000 bond to maintain and secure vacant foreclosed property. City councilor Melvin Edwards said city taxpayers will no longer have to pay to eradicate the blight that results from foreclosure.

Changes Called For In Housing Policies

Paul Tuthill — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 16:22:00 +0000

Community activists in several US cities are calling for changes in housing policies. They point to a shortage of affordable housing in the midst of a surplus of vacant, bank-foreclosed properties. One of the cities where anti-poverty activists point to what they see as a housing crisis is Springfield Massachusetts.

Springfield City Council To Take Up Changes To Foreclosure Law

Paul Tuthill — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 09:58:00 +0000

City Councilors in Springfield Massachusetts Monday night will consider changing a foreclosure ordinance to settle a lawsuit by several banks.

Activists Oppose Changes To Foreclosure Ordinance

Paul Tuthill — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 16:25:00 +0000

The city of Springfield Massachusetts is considering changing a local ordinance that was hailed as a national model for addressing problems caused by foreclosures. Community activists, who championed the ordinance when it passed almost two years ago, accuse city officials of caving into the banks.

Home Sale Prices Up, Foreclosures Down In 2012

Paul Tuthill — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 21:09:52 +0000

Boosted by higher home sale prices and more transactions spurred by low interest rates the amount of money spent on real estate in Hampden County last year was almost $1 billion, a nine percent increase over 2011, and the most since 2008. Hampden County Register of Deeds Donald Ashe called it a good year for the housing market in western Massachusetts and he forecast what he called a “ steady healthy market” for the next six months.

Redevelopment Plans Announced For Historic Indian Motorcycle Site

Paul Tuthill — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 23:21:00 +0000

American International College Tuesday announced a $25 million dollar redevelopment of the historic Indian Motorcycle property adjacent to its campus in Springfield Massachusetts. WAMC’s Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief Paul Tuthill reports.

Massachusetts To Stop Sheltering Homeless In Motels

Paul Tuthill — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 23:35:00 +0000

The state aims to phase out the use of motel rooms as emergency shelters for homeless families over the next 18 months and halt the program completely by June 30, 2014. Aaron Gornstein, the Undersecretary of The Department of Housing and Community Development said eliminating the motel system is in the best interest of taxpayers and homeless families.

Help Offered To Homeless Veterans In Western Massachusetts

Paul Tuthill — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 19:45:00 +0000

The Department of Veterans Affairs says it is making progress in reducing the number of homeless veterans in the country. But the critical need was evident at an event Friday in Springfield Massachusetts. WAMC’s Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief Paul Tuthill reports.