FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, October 29, 2021
Contact for MPDC: Kelly Ransom
P: 617.721.9306
Contact for MAHA: Cortina Vann
P: 339-221-7794
E: cvann@mahahome.org
Mayoral Candidates Make Commitments on Equitable Homeownership at MAHA/MPDC Forum. Still More Work To Do.
BOSTON, MA – On Wednesday, October 20, 2021, the Massachusetts Affordable Housing Alliance (MAHA) and the Madison Park Development Corporation hosted mayoral hopefuls Annissa Essaibi George and Michelle Wu at a virtual forum on making access to homeownership more equitable in Boston. Members of both organizations shared their stories and asked the candidates to commit to the most critical steps the new mayor can take to shrink the city’s racial homeownership and wealth gaps.
“We know who is most affected by these crazy rents and home prices. People of color who have been deliberately excluded from homeownership opportunities for generations” said MAHA Board member Acia Adams-Heath. “While those who own their homes are able to provide security and a legacy for their children, people of color are working harder and harder to pay our landlords, while our net worth remains close to ZERO.”
She added, “We want to leave this meeting knowing how much each candidate will use the power of the mayor’s office to Expand the Affordable Housing Pie and implement key parts of our
Homeownership Justice Vision”.
Both candidates gave firm commitments in response to some questions and pledged to work closely with MAHA and MPDC to pursue the organizations’ other proposals. View the
Scorecard with the specific questions and answers.
The forum was moderated by MAHA’s Incoming Executive Director Symone Crawford and MPDC CEO Leslie Reid.
Said Leslie Reid, “We’re excited about all the commitments both candidates made, and we will be there right after the election to get to work on them. We also appreciate both candidates’ pledge that MAHA and MPDC will be at the table as partners as our additional proposals are researched, and hopefully embraced.”
