GBIOis a member organization with about 100 dues-paying member organizations, of which KB is one.  The organizations are catholic and protestant churches, jewish organizations, community development corporations (CDC's) and other advocacy organizations.  The member groups are from many cities and towns in the greater Boston area.

Organizing began in 1995, and after its founding convention at the end of 1998 GBIO selected affordable housing development as its first priority and improving education and after-school programs as its second priority.  There is also a new effort to improve the opportunities available to area immigrants.  Priorities are selected at quarterly delegate assemblies.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING

With other organazations, GBIO got the state to increase affordable housing development spending for the first time in more than a decade.  While funds in a number of areas were increased, the key achievement was the creation of an affordable housing trust funded at $20,000,000 a year for 5 years.  The first $20,000,000 is committed to low and moderate income housing developments throughout the state, some of which have already begun construction.  The second $20,000,000 will be committed by June 30, 2002.  GBIO is represented on the Trust Board.

First $13,000,000 of $30,000,000 of Boston City funds:  GBIO and other organizations got the City of Boston, for the first time in its history, to commit general revenue funds of the City (not just federal and state funds available for the purpose) to affordable housing development.  $30,000,000 has been committed.  The first $13,000,000 is supporting work on about 1,000 units of housing.  The City calls these "Leading the Way" (LTW) funds. 

In most cases each LTW dollar leverages another dollar from the state and about 4 dollars from banks.  421 units of homeownership and rental housing are being built or rehabilitated for households with incomes of from 30% to 80% of the metro area median income.  This is what is usually referred to as affordable housing.  Other units are being developed for households with from 80% to 110% of median income, and others for up to 120% of median, for a total restricted number of 534 units.  Deveopments are mixed, so an additional 127 market-rate units are included.  LTW funds are paying for predevelopment work on 429 units of vacant public housing.  Other construction-period funds will be needed to get these 429 units occupied.  14 elder low-mod income homeowners and their 24 tenant households are being assisted with rehab. 

It is hoped that before the end of 2001 the old Boston Police Station will be sold, making the second $13,000,000 available for affordable housing development.

GBIO is ready to build Nehemiah homes:  GBIO has raised over $5,000,000 from ecclesiastical bodies, a sister organization in the South Bronx, and GBIO member institutions.  The funds are available for at least 5 years at 0% interest.  GBIO will use the funds to finance construction at 0% interest of at least 1,000 new 2-family homes in greater Boston.  Our sister organization's developer entity in the Bronx will serve as our development entity.  We are looking to strike deals with area cities and towns requiring the municipalities to provide free land and public subsidies of about $15,000 per unit.  At least 50 units must go up on a single site or on a few sites in very close proximity, to realize the affordability levels we seek.  Most affordable homes assisted by area municipalities are for households at close the maximum of the "up to 80% of median income range,"  but we hope to target families mainly in the 50% to 60% of median range.  80% = from $52,500 to $56,000 gross income for a family of 4; 60% = $42,000 and 50% = $35,000.  The rental unit in each 2 family will probably be for households of up to 60% of median income.

KB Contribution to GBIO Nehemiah Fund:  The Social Action Committee is proposing that KB raise $10,000 to contribute to the Nehemiah Fund.  Many GBIO congregations have contributed widely varying amounts.  We think at this time that it would work this way:  KB members would loan funds to KB at 0% interest for 5 years.  KB would loan the $10,000 total to the GBIO Nehemiah Fund at 0% interest for 5 years.  Every organization that has contributed to the over $5,000,000 raised so far has contributed on these same terms -- 0% interest for 5 years.  At maturity, each contributing organization can have its principal back, unless it chooses to roll the money over for another 5 years.  Come to the next Social Action Committee meeting and help us to implement this idea.

Support the Community Preservation Act in  your community:  GBIO is supporting the CPA which will use a property tax increase to develop affordable housing, acquire and preserve open space, and do historical preservation.  The exact terms vary from community to community, according to flexibility in the state enabling legislation, approved with GBIO support last year.  31 cities and towns have already enacted it.  GBIO helped gather 40,000 signatures, more than twice the number required, to get the CRA on the ballot in Boston this November.  The Newton Alderman put a version on the Newton ballot.  It is also on the Cambridge ballot.  Find out about the details in your community and get out the vote.  Join a group and begin to get it on next year's ballot in your community.

IMPROVING PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS

The Education Task force held a 1000 conversation campaign which revealed that a need for instructional materials, specific facilities improvements in selected schools, and improved and additional after school programs were the priorities in Boston. 

New and improved after-school programs in Boston:  8 GBIO congregations are assisting existing or starting new after-school programs.  GBIO, working with the school has gotten after school science and MCAS-prep programs started at Hyde Park High.

Facilities improvements in selected BPS schools:  GBIO organized in-school teams at 15 Boston public schools (BPS).  These teams polled others and came up with one or two top facilities problems at each school.  As a result one school has a new roof, two school have improved intercom systems, other leaks have been repaired and water-stained walls repaired.  This facilities effort is ongoing.  The focus now will be to help Dorchester High realize some badly needed improvements.

Up to $2,000,000 for instructional supplies in the BPS:  GBIO pressured the BPS, the School Committee and the Mayor to get a $1,000,000 increase in the BPS budget which can only be used for instructional materials.  Our conversation campaign, and the work of our sister organization, the Greater Boston Youth Organizing Committee, which has groups in 6 Boston schools, revealed a severe lack of textbooks and other instructional materials.  While students are expected to pass the MCAS, they may be sharing 6 texts in a class of 25, and can never take books home.  Other instructional materials are in very short supply, and much of the budget for them goes to pay for the school's only photocopy machine and its paper.  The BPS also agreed that if the demand is there, an additional $1,000,000 will be provided.  106 of the 130 schools I the system participated in the first phase, textbook replacement; and a second phase for other instructional materials is in full swing.  About $565,000 was expended on the textbook phase.  GBIO is working directly with many schools and with the Acting Superintendent in assisting administration and communications.

Come to the next GBIO Education Task Force Meeting Tuesday, October 30, 7:00-8:30 pm at the Community Church of Boston at 565 Boylston St. in Boston's Back Bay.  It's above the White Star Tavern, across the street from Trinity Episcopal Church in Copley Square (266-6710).

Task Force to Improve Opportunities for Immigrants -- Will be reported on in next update.