SIMMERING HOUSING CRISIS HITS HOME 
A long-time East Boston resident made the news this past week because she has been served with an eviction notice as the owner landlords want to sell the triple-decker and a new buyer wants the house empty. This is a compelling story which is, unfortunately, happening every day in East Boston. Families and individuals are leaving after being served notice to leave or else given hefty rent increases. In many cases,
the new owners want to convert to condos. NOAH is working with the Mayor and DND in order to buy three-deckers and keep the working families living there in their own homes and neighborhood. There will be more on this program in our Annual Report and next newsletter.
Click HERE to check out the Boston 25 News video by 25 Investigates' Kerry Kavanaugh, which features this issue and the problematic nature of attempting to rehouse many of the displaced residents.
IF you have a three-decker you want to sell, but you also want to keep the tenant families in their homes, please reach Phil Giffee at 617-418-8240 or
pgiffee@noahcdc.org. NOAH has purchased 15 buildings already.
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50% INVESTMENT TAX CREDITS NOW AVAILABLE!
All of us at NOAH are grateful to Governor Baker and the legislature. NOAH was awarded
$200,000 in Community Investment Tax Credits (CITCs) for 2019, receiving the maximum level of CITCs allocated.
CITC donation funds are used to underwrite our programming, including the Climate Change, Children's and Youth, Homeownership & Homelessness Prevention service lines. We could not run these valuable initiatives without your enduring support. Please consider investing in us this year.
This is how you can help: Utilizing CITCs,
donors making a
gift of $1,000 or more receive half back (50%) in state tax credits or rebates. A $500 net donation can work like a $1,000 donation to
help NOAH offer free programming to seniors, disabled individuals, families, and children in need. I
f you are able, please consider a CITC investment this year! Please reach out to Linda Miller-Foster, Director of Fundraising, at 617-418-8246 or
linda@noahcdc.org.
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NOAH Senior Youth Crew Leaders
Gabriela Ramirez & Kaylee Aguilar
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CLIMATE CARE
NOAH presented its
East Boston Flood Prevention Design Workshop Report in April. Residents across East Boston joined us at the East Boston Social Center to discuss the Report, and the need for an updated Flood Emergency Plan from the City of Boston and State of Massachusetts, for improved communication about such planning from authorities, to increase awareness about climate risks facing East Boston, as well as the threats to community infrastructure and transportation.
Residents also outlined 'green and gray' infrastructure options for key flood pathways such as Lewis Street, Liberty Plaza, Chelsea Creek, Harborview and Belle Isle Marsh. NOAH will be funding a study designed to prevent flooding in the Greenway, looking to stop sea level rise flooding at Lewis Street, and not letting it travel towards Maverick Subway Station, Clippership Senior Housing, and then down the Greenway! And we MUST find ways of working with owners/developers to prevent flooding of Liberty Plaza and Central Square, where our food supply is. Also, East Boston is a transportation nexus for the region. There is a lot of work to be done very soon because planning for sea level rise and putting money in capital budgets (and then creating specifications, bidding, and building these protections) will take much longer than people think. That is why NOAH is pushing Climate work so hard. If we don't act now, billions of dollars could be lost in destruction of key public and private infrastructure, lost work, closed schools, and unnecessary insurance losses. We are glad the City is planning for Resiliency and that we can coordinate with them.
Read the full report
HERE.
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) SCALE UP Program: We have a group of ten people that have been certified and trained to spearhead a survey intake regarding social cohesion and emergency preparedness. We still need to recruit six to ten more stipended volunteers that will be supporting us in these efforts. We anticipate beginning surveying the week of June 3rd.
If you have questions about this climate awareness initiative, please contact Melinda Vega at
mvega@noahcdc.org.
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REAL ESTATE UPDATE
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Coppersmith Village
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Coppersmith Village
We are excited to announce that the construction of Coppersmith Village is expected to be
wrapping up within a few weeks! These five-story apartment towers and three-story condos are right down the street from NOAH and boast 56 apartments including 15 market-rate units and 41 affordable units. The complex certification process for all prospective tenants is nearly done. Workers are currently completing the installation of balconies and finish work. Most of the 15 townhouses along Liverpool Street (seven market-rate and eight affordable) have had their new owners move in.
The project should be fully occupied by the end of June. We are talking with a restaurateur about making a dinner spot for the 3,000 sf restaurant space at the corner of Decatur and Liverpool Streets. A ribbon-cutting event with the Mayor and Governor is planned for late summer. This project was a difficult one, financially, in part because of all the dirty soil which was hidden below grade and had to be removed, but we continue to receive many compliments about the quality of the design!
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Rendering of Aileron Development |
Aileron
We are very grateful to
the Boston CPA Committee, Ma
yor Marty Walsh,
and to DND for their support! The Community Preservation (CPA) Committee awarded NOAH $735,000 to begin this mixed-income artist project. Construction will start on the seven homeownership units late summer, and will take 10 to 12 months to complete. There will be public marketing of the units in early/mid 2020. The 33 rental units and gallery spaces are separately funded by the State and will require another year and a half to two a
half year wait before funding arrives to start construction.
Altogether, the Aileron development will be comprised of 40 units, with 33 rental homes, 24 of which will be affordable. Of the seven homeownership units, four will be affordable and three will be market rate. Seventeen of the units at Aileron will be work and living spaces for artists to create, display, gather, and perform.
It will be a wonderful and modern design which should add a lot to the Condor Street area.
If you have any real estate leads concerning potential properties for sale or development in the Gr
eater Boston area, please contact NOAH's Phil Giffee at pgiffee@noahcdc.org or 617-418-8240.
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NOAH Youth Crew member
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We are so very proud of our Youth Leadership Crew members, who presented at last month's East Boston Flood Prevention Workshop. Young people truly are our future. East Boston teens are passionate about combating climate change, and organizing around environmental sustainability and resiliency in their own neighborhood. The Youth continue to grow their Tree Canopy Expansion program. Their commitment to preserving and facilitating the planting of new trees to benefit the community can now be seen all around East Boston. As part of this project, the teens have dedicated a large amount of their time encouraging community residents to petition the City of Boston for trees to be added to their streets and yards. Since last year, they have facilitated the planting of 150 trees in East Boston, and they are looking to match or grow that number this year. If you are an Eastie resident and would like a tree, please reach out to Melinda Vega at
mvega@noahcdc.org or 617-418-8243.
The Youth have also begun a new litter abatement campaign. After conducting thorough research of the neighborhood, they have decided their project this year will include decorating outdoor trash and recycling bins and then distributing them to local businesses. This will allow the Youth to bring local businesses into the campaign, helping to ensure that diverse members of the community come together to work to make East Boston clean, healthy, and beautiful!
Our Youth Leaders participated in Massachusetts first Youth Leaders for Climate Justice Program. Through this project, the Crew decided to plan a legislative action day in June to visit our political officials State Senator Joe Boncore, State Representative Adrian Madaro, City Councilor Lydia Edwards, and Mayor Marty Walsh. We are in the process of hiring two-six more youth (two permanent and four seasonal) to support our very busy summer schedule of activities.
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HOME REHABS &
HEATING SYSTEM REPLACEMENTS FOR SENIORS!
Do you know of a senior homeowner in East Boston, Charlestown, or the North or West Ends age 62+ or any age disabled homeowner whose 1-4 family house is in
need of a major rehab project, or one age 60+ looking to
replace an old heating system? If so, NOAH could help! Income-eligible households at or below 80% of AMI ($56,800 for a 1-person household or $64,900 for a 2-person one) may qualify for a rehab project grant and/or a
zero-interest loan which doesn't have to be paid back until the home is sold or the title is transferred! They might also qualify for a Seniors Save heating system repair or replacement, with a
$3,500 grant and/or a
0% deferred loan to pay for any additional costs! A new energy efficient system can help them save money on heating costs. In addition, NOAH staffers perform free minor home-safety repairs, such as
repairing floors, steps, windows, doors, installing grab bars, and more. Funding is provided by the City of Boston, Martin J. Walsh, Mayor, through its Department of Neighborhood Development, Sheila A. Dillon, Director. For more information and to apply, please contact Anthony D'Andrea, Program Manager, Senior Homeowner Services at
adandrea@noahcdc.org or at 617-418-8265.
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Citizens Bank Chelsea Branch Mgr. & Relationship Banker
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FINANCIAL CAPABILITY
NOAH has served over 400 persons in its free bilingual Financial Capability (FinCap) programming over the last few years. FinCap offers both
individual coaching and group classes on either weeknights or Saturdays. In April, we hosted a Spanish language Financial Capability workshop with Citizens Bank Chelsea Branch Manager Marcela Espinoza and Relationship Banker Matibel Mejia (pictured leading the class). We are grateful to Citizens Bank, United Way of Mass. Bay and Merrimack Valley, NeighborWorks America and others for their wonderful support of this and other related service lines, including the VITA tax preparation program. For additional information, please contact Dept. Director Diana Franco at dfranco@noahcdc.org or 617-418-8266.
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Tech Goes Home grads with their new Chromebooks!
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CRITICAL PROGRAMS FOR NEW BOSTONIANS
NOAH offers three semesters of English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) and US Citizenship classes and serves over 200 individuals each year. ESOL curriculum includes workforce development and technology so
that everyone may be able to be well-functioning and make significant contributions to our society. Students of NOAH's English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes are regularly offered the opportunity to participate in a week-long Tech Goes Home course, and then take home their very own Chromebooks for only $50. Our ESOL staffers understand that, for newcomers, really integrating into the Boston community requires not only learning English, but it also entails adapting to US technology. The class includes instruction in how to use an English keyboard, how to search on the internet, and how to use various popular software applications. Our ESOL classes continue to be highly successful.
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NOAH Community Fun Paint Night
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Our ESOL teachers Manlio Mendez and Jacqueline Lara coordinated NOAH's second Paint Night and invited ESOL students as well as everyone in the NOAH community to have a fun night with friends and family. ESOL students and NOAH staff members voted on an image to paint, then seventeen community members came together to get their creative juices flowing and create a work of art to bring home. The event was so successful, we have opted to host another paint night soon!
Many thanks to funders such as English for New Bostonians and the State Street Foundation for their wonderful support. If you have any questions about this programming, please contact Manlio Mendez at mmendez@noahcdc.org or 617- 418-8242.
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MANY THANKS TO ALL OUR GREAT SUPPORTERS!
All of us at NOAH want to say THANK YOU to all our wonderful recent funders, including:
Amalgamated Foundation/Just Fund, The Boston Foundation, Charles H. Farnsworth Charitable Trust, Citizens Bank Foundation, the City of Boston DND, John Connell, Lauren DeMayo, Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation, The East Boston Foundation, Eversource, Rose Fiore, First Literacy, Global Philanthropy Partnership, HUD, the Kresge Foundation, Eileen Hamblin, Mr. & Mrs. George Koehler, Susan Koffman Esq., Maury Lederman Esq. & Lynda Fink, MA Division of Banks, NeighborWorks America, NewVue Communities, People's United Bank, Rafael Mares, Rick High & Ann Perkins, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Sailors Snug Harbor, Frank Sepulveda, The State Street Foundation, Farah Trompeter, United Way of Greater Portland and United Way of Mass Bay and Merrimack Valley.
With our generous supporters, we are able to continue to create and maintain more sustainable neighborhoods, community services and affordable housing opportunities than ever before. We want to give a special shout-out to Citizens Bank for its wonderful ongoing support of our Financial Literacy programming and to The Kresge Foundation and The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation for their generous funding of our critical East Boston ClimateCARE resiliency work. And, as always, a great big THANK YOU to long-time funding partners NeighborWorks America and United Way of Massachusetts Bay & Merrimack Valley. If you would like to make a donation, please reach out to Linda Miller Foster at linda@noahcdc.org or 617-418-8246 or donate online NOAH's website!
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PLEASE 'LIKE' US ON FACEBOOK!
NOAH's Facebook page has 4,332 Likes! If YOU
haven't done so already, we would really appreciate it if you would go to our Facebook page through the link below, and
click the "Like" button - THANKS!
And, did you know we have two great Facebook groups?
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UPCOMING BILINGUAL EVENTS
NeighborWorks Week-ESOL Open Event
Please feel free to join NOAH's ESOL students on
Friday night, June 7, 2019, from 5:30 to 7:30 PM for 'Arts & Crafts for All Ages'. This is one of the events that NOAH will be holding for NeighborWorks Week, a nationwide celebration of NeighborWorks and of all of the many housing and neighborhood initiatives it sponsors across the U.S. The event will be held in NOAH's parking lot at 143 Border Street, East Boston (with direct access off of Liverpool Street). This is a free family-appropriate bilingual activity, where ESOL students will be practicing their English language skills. Refreshments will be served. For more information, please reach out to Manlio Mendez at 617-418-8242 or
mmendez@noahcdc.org.
NOAH's Battle of Noddle Hill Regatta
:
Saturday, June 1, 2019, from Noon until 6 PM
Please join us at the Condor Street Urban Wild for free food, kayaking, and fun family activities. This annual event is offered by NOAH's CBE Department staffers and Youth Leaders. For info. or to participate in the group kayaking activity, please contact Manlio Mendez at
mmendez@noahcdc.org
or 617-418-8242.
Annual Community Youth Soccer Tournament:
Saturday, June 29, 2019, from 10 AM until 6 PM
Everyone is welcome to this free bilingual activity! Come on your own, or bring your whole team to play! Trophies will be awarded to the winners. There will be live music and refreshments. This is an annual NOAH event offered by our CBE staffers and Youth Leaders. For more info. or to register a team to participate in the tournament, please contact Melinda Vega at mvega@noahcdc.org or 617-418-8243.
UPCOMING PROGRAMS
Summer CBE Activities Are Returning!
Please reach out to Manlio Mendez at
Kayaking at Consitution Beach
Come join in the fun! Learn about and experience kayaking! This free bilingual program will be start on Thursday, July 11, and will run on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10 AM to 5 PM.
O'Donnell Schoolyard Summer Program
The program for 6 to 11 year olds will start on Monday, July 8, and will be held from Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 2 PM. Free breakfast and lunch.
East Boston Children and Youth Soccer
This free bilingual program
begins on July 10, and will be held regularly on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays through the summer from 3:30 to 6 PM.
FinCap & First-Time Homebuyer Classes:
The next free Spanish language Financial Capability (FinCap) class will be held on June 22, 2019 from 9 AM to 2:30 PM. NOAH's next open English First-Time Homebuyer (FTHB) course will meet on
July 9, 10 and 11, 2019 from 6 - 9:30 PM. The next available Spanish language First-Time Homebuyer course will be held on June 25, 26 and 27, 2019 from 6 - 9:30 PM. Students learn from experienced industry guest speakers, including home inspectors, as well as NOAH staffers, about how best to select and purchase a
home and about appropriate loan products. For more information about FinCap or FTHB classes, please contact Dept. Director Diana Franco at 617-418-8266 or
dianaf@noahcdc.org
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Make a BIG impact with a SMALL Donation!
Please consider making a secure tax deductible donation to
NOAH today. To donate online, CLICK HERE.
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