HRI

Last week, our Executive Director Sara Barcan joined an expert panel at Massachusetts Community Climate Bank’s Climate Week Celebration. Following remarks by Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll and Climate Chief Melissa Hoffer, Sara and her fellow panelists Claire Kramer Mills, Maria Belen Power, Kelsey Read and Eva Rosenbloom addressed the urgent need for an equitable approach to decarbonize affordable housing in Massachusetts. As HRI works on its first MCCB project, the 116-unit Inman Square Apartments, we’ve identified three challenges to equitable distribution of climate resources for affordable housing: Cost, Coordination, and early Capital. Cost: Decarbonization resources will help us pay for HVAC, windows, cladding, but our older buildings need so much more, from plumbing to unit upgrades. With volume cap scarce, we need to find resources to make these much-needed improvements for our residents. Coordination: Climate resources come from multiple pots of money at various state agencies. We need a clearinghouse for this information and a single application, much like EOHLC’s One Stop for affordable housing development. Early Capital: Pre-development work is expensive. Small non-profits and emerging developers need affordable predevelopment funds and technical assistance to access climate resources for their projects. Thanks to Maggie Super Church and the MCCB team for convening so many housers and decarbonization experts. HRI looks forward to more collaboration as we move Inman Apartments forward.

Thank you to everyone who worked to make this historic housing legislation a reality. HRI's Sara Barcan was thrilled to be present for the signing of the Affordable Homes Act this morning at 2Life Communities.

HRI's summer newsletter is here! Check out our new website, learn about upcoming Passive House construction projects, and read about how we are using solar to make sure residents benefit from sustainable technology investments! https://lnkd.in/eS_tCPEy

HRI is excited to share that we received a funding commitment from the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) Thursday afternoon for our 4 Mellen project, an adaptive reuse historic preservation and urban infill project in Cambridge! These 29 new affordable rental apartments will offer families and individuals incredible access to the many resources and amenities the Baldwin neighborhood offers. We are deeply grateful for this funding from the Commonwealth of MA as well as our earlier commitments from the City of Cambridge Affordable Housing Trust and the Cambridge Historical Commission. For more information: https://lnkd.in/d6NsvyEK

So excited that HRI has a new housing project coming in Cambridge!

“HRI is very appreciative to both Lesley University and the City of Cambridge. Thanks to their partnership, we will create new, beautiful, affordable housing in the Baldwin neighborhood," said HRI Executive Director Sara Barcan. “The project team is now focused on designing a building with sophisticated green features, a thoughtful streetscape to enhance the pedestrian experience and attractive apartments to provide critically needed affordable housing.”

In 2023 HRI/CNAHS attended the Community Leadership Institute in San Fransisco. At this conference, our group of resident leaders designed, “Locally Led Brave Spaces” a free leadership development program designed to support future community leaders of all ages. #NWweek #EmpoweringCommunities NeighborWorks America

Last night, HRI's Will Monson was a featured storyteller at LISC Massachusetts annual story slam. This was a wonderful opportunity to hear about the intersection of the personal and professional across our field. Thank you to LISC Massachusetts for a great evening of storytelling! #communitydevelopmentcorps #LISC

Last night, HRI's Will Monson was a featured storyteller at LISC Boston's (now LISC Massachusetts!) annual story slam. This was a wonderful opportunity to hear about the intersection of the personal and professional across our field. Thank you to LISC Massachusetts for a great evening of storytelling! #communitydevelopmentcorps #LISC

Join HRI's Home Improvement Program staff on April 27th for Fair Housing For All! The event takes place at the Cambridge Senior Center at 806 Mass Ave. This is a great chance for Cambridge homeowners to learn about resources for home repair and renovation!