Advocates seek approval of housing bill for disabled
Advocates for the disabled are pressing state lawmakers to pass the Disability Housing Bond Bill, which includes $170 million in funding for community-based housing, before the state Legislature adjourns at the end of this month.
''This bill is the number one priority for the disabled community right now," said Shawn McDuff, director of access and advocacy at the Independent Living Center of the North Shore & Cape Ann in Salem. ''If this doesn't come up now [for a vote], it will be another couple of years before it comes up again. People will have to go without, and there will be fewer housing opportunities."
The bond bill, which has already passed the Senate, would fund four key housing initiatives for the disabled: $100 million for low-interest loans for developers to build accessible housing; $25 million in low-to-zero percent interest loans for people to make homes accessible; $25 million for construction of group homes; and $20 million for nonprofit developers to defer interest on construction loans to build low-income housing.
Bill Henning, executive director of the Boston Center for Independent Living, is also pushing for passage of the bill, now pending in the House Ways and Means Committee.
''It's critical that this come to a vote," said Henning, whose agency serves people with disabilities in Everett, Malden, and other communities around Greater Boston. ''If it doesn't, and the legislative session ends, it will have to be reintroduced next year, and then wend its way through the Legislature again."
But state Representative J. Michael Ruane, a Salem Democrat and vice chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, said the bond bill could face an uphill battle. ''The state has its bond limitations," he said. ''And the governor can veto anything."
Still, Ruane said he's spoken to House Speaker Thomas Finneran about the bond bill. ''I am in favor of the proposal, but I have to be a watchdog," Ruane said, referring to his duties as vice chairman of Ways and Means. ''We have to be fair to everyone in the state."
Local advocates say the $25 million earmarked for the Home Modification Program is a key piece of the bill. The program provides low- and zero- interest loans to help renters and homeowners pay for wheelchair ramps, alterations to bathrooms, and other repairs needed to make housing accessible.
''We now have a waiting list filled with people from around the state, seniors and families with disabilities," Henning said. ''They can't afford to make the [renovations] to their homes without this money."
State Representative Joyce Spiliotis, a Peabody Democrat, said the bill could save the state money over the long term. ''This money is really important," said Spiliotis. ''It does allow people to stay in their homes. If we can do that, it ultimately will cost the state less money than if you have to put someone in a facility."
AIDS preventionefforts to expand
The Centers for Disease Control has given $2.62 milion to CAB Health & Recovery Services in Danvers to provide HIV/AIDS prevention services to women considered at high risk for the infection.
CAB, a nonprofit, will receive $432,489 annually over the next five years to increase community outreach in five local cities: Lynn, Salem, Gloucester, Peabody and Revere. Prevention and education services also will be offered to homeless families living in motels along Route 1. Bilingual staff will provide case management, testing, prevention, and partner/family support.
Kevin P. Norton, chief executive at CAB, said the funding should help control the spread of AIDS among heroin addicts. ''With the steady and alarming rise in heroin abuse, we are seeing women clients who are at risk through needle drug use," Norton said.
Danvers mall sold to PivotalCentre Village Street, a strip mall on Route 1 in Danvers, has been sold to Pivotal Properties Inc. of Boston. The two-building plaza was purchased for $4.3 million from Center Village Trust. The deal was announced July 8 by Pivotal, a retail real estate company.
The plaza at the corner of Centre Street and Route 1 south includes 27,415 square feet of retail space. Tenants include Northern Massachusetts Telephone Workers' Credit Union, Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, and Salon La Cole.
Datebook The Women's Business Center will present ''First Steps," at 6 p.m. Thursday at Fleet Bank, 848 Islington St., Portsmouth. The cost is $26. Advance registration is required. Call 603-430-2892 or go to www.womenbiz.org.
The Marblehead Chamber of Commerce will hold its monthly breakfast forum at 8 a.m. Wednesday at the Landing Restaurant, 81 Front St. Guest speakers are Jon Hurst, president of the Retail Association of Massachusetts, and Doug Fleener, a retail consultant.
Kathy McCabe can be reached at kmccabe@globe.com.
