"In this historic moment, with momentum and resources from both the federal and state government to address the issues that were exacerbated and worsened by the pandemic, we need to use the funds to address the foundational need of housing. Here's a look at how Wu answered our questions, in full: But when it comes to home ownership in particular, we still see that the barriers are very, very high for particularly first-generation buyers and Black and brown residents." "Boston has mechanisms for the production of affordable rentals and we've been hitting pretty significant milestones on that front. 13, 2016 photo, Boston City Council President Michelle Wu presides over a meeting at City Hall in Boston. Here's what they said: City Councilor Michelle Wu In this Jan. WBUR asked all six of the major candidates for mayor for their views on Boston's housing future. But most say they want to step up the level of urgency applied to housing policy. And most of the candidates want to expand those efforts. A recent poll sponsored by WBUR found that housing was second only to the pandemic as a priority for Boston voters - and the poll found 76% support some form of rent control.īoston already has an array of programs to help people buy homes and pay rent. Like many Boston residents, Beck spends a huge portion of her income on rent. Other candidates either oppose rent control or only want restrictions on rents for seniors and disabled people. One policy she wants to see return to the city is rent control. Michelle Wu is the only candidate who supports broad limits on rent increases. That's a catch-22 she hopes Boston's next mayor will solve. She said she makes too much money to qualify for housing subsidies, but too little to afford market rents. And that's bad."īeck helps coordinate bus routes for city schools. And right now I'm on the verge of looking for a whole new other state to go to. "And I don't want to be forced out of here. "The cost of living costs a lot," she said. But she’s worried hers could be the last generation to call this city home.īeck doesn't just want more affordable apartments she wants the next mayor of Boston to help people like her own their own property. "I work down here and I grew up down here, but I'm unable to because of the prices of the apartments."īeck said her family has lived in Roxbury since her grandparents settled here. "I would love to live in Dudley," she said, citing the square's former name, which like the other changes, she has yet to fully accept. I believe that's going to be apartments."īut Beck says she can’t afford the apartments being built in her old neighborhood, and she doesn't qualify for subsidized rent. "This building wasn't over here - it used to be a big hole. She points to new banks, new residential buildings - "so corporate," she said - alongside the old shops that have yet to open back up since the pandemic began. Standing in the heart of Roxbury sipping iced tea, Sherika Beck reminisces about how different Nubian Square is from when she grew up here - and what kind of impact the city's next mayor will have. (Robin Lubbock/WBUR) This article is more than 1 year old.
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