HOUSING

Ed Augustus was sworn in on June 1 as secretary of Massachusetts' new cabinet-level housing department.

The number of homeless families in Massachusetts is growing. One solution being pursued by the state is is to lease unused buildings, some at state-owned entities. But a plan underway to lease an empty dorm at MCLA in North Adams came to a halt in early May. The Healey administration was "disappointed."

"Todos sabemos que es muy difícil estudiar y aprender cuando no se duerme bien o no se come bien", Renee Tastad, vicepresidenta adjunta de asuntos estudiantiles para HCC. "También es difícil estudiar y aprender cuando tu vida familiar puede ser un poco caótica".

The "healthy homes" fund would distribute grants and loans for Massachusetts residents to make home improvements related to health, such as deleading, improving indoor air quality and more.

H. John Fisher of Way Finders in Springfield speaks on housing issues and the conference they're hosting, and professor and poet Martín Espada speaks on his work and its connection to the greater community.

The region's Black population has grown steadily over the last 40 years and shifted from the city of Boston to communities such as Brockton, Randolph, Lawrence and Lynn. Almost two-thirds of the region's population now lives outside of Boston, according to the report.

The class-action settlement aims to address long waits for families applying for shelter. It also creates a more robust system for moving families closer to communities where they have ties through work, school and family.

Massachusetts housing agencies and advocates are asking state lawmakers to extend a pandemic-era eviction prevention policy, which expires this Friday.

Holyoke, Massachusetts, Mayor Joshua Garcia said he would explore creating an Office of Tenant Protections two months ago. Now he says he can longer do so.

Groups that signed the letter, organized by Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless and the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute, urged lawmakers to keep the policy in place until July 31, 2024.