2021 HIGHLIGHTS
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Nicole Stephens was selected as the 2021 recipient of the Lowell L. Richards, III Fellowship for Leadership and Public Service. She plans to graduate with a Master of Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning degree from Tufts University in 2022. Stephens completed her fellowship this past summer with the Massachusetts Port Authority’s (Massport) Real Estate and Asset Management Department, where Lowell Richards was Chief Development Officer for more than ten years. Lowell L. Richards, III served on Metro Housing’s Board of Directors for nearly 30 years and as co-chair for twelve years.
2021 Lowell Richards Fellow
Champions of Housing Goes Virtual
Champions of Housing honors leaders in our community who share our passion and commitment to ensuring that everyone in Greater Boston has a place to call home. Champions of Housing honorees (L-R) Edward E. Zuker of Chestnut Hill Realty, Boston Medical Center (accepted by Dr. Megan Sandel), Trevor Samios of WinnCompanies, and Katherine Martinez of Lena Park Community Development Corporation.
Holiday Drive
With the help of generous donors, Metro Housing provided our families with more than $10,000 in gift cards to purchase holiday meals and more than 200 items. This Holiday Drive yielded winter coats, gloves, hats, and board games that went directly to children of our families. Pictured: Noriel with his new winter coat from Metro Housing.
$1 Million Grant
Metro Housing will receive $1 million over three years from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) to explore the inequality of calculating rent shares for working families with rental vouchers. Nearly $700,000 from the grant will be dispensed directly to participants in the form of monthly reimbursements to their housing voucher rent share. Metro Housing will survey working voucher families to see how they spend money that they receive.
Team Metro Housing Runs Again
Team Metro Housing has had runners compete and raise funds through the Boston Marathon since 2006 thanks to the John Hancock Nonprofit Program, raising more than $515,000. This year’s team trained during a hot and wet summer as the 2021 Marathon shifted to October due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Pictured clockwise from top left: Carolina Sholl; Rob Thompson; Kate Henderson; Margarita Duncan; and (center) Lindsay Bahal.
Metro Housing Launches SNOMass
Metro Housing introduced a new state program in FY21: Supporting Neighborhood Opportunity in Massachusetts (SNO Mass). SNO Mass is an option for families with young school-aged children who have a Housing Choice Voucher administered by Metro Housing. SNO Mass provides a range of supports to help families find homes in neighborhoods with high-performing schools, low poverty rates, and healthy environments.
Metro Housing Launches MUST
Metro Housing launched a staff-led initiative, called Metro Housing United and Standing Together (MUST), with the goal of implementing anti-racism conversation-based events for staff across all departments. Twenty staff members make up the planning committee that highlights social issues and organizes events to increase awareness and foster equity at Metro Housing.