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Dear Andrea,
Last year, as many residents dug out from COVID’s devastation, some could not. The Brookline Community Development Corporation (Brookline CDC) stepped into the breach by giving funds to families in dire need of assistance. We helped keep distressed families in their homes. We helped families buy food and we provided resources during the holidays. As one resident told a board member, “We had the holidays because of the Brookline CDC.”
Despite the wealth in our community, many of our neighbors face housing insecurity. According to the Center for Housing Data, 45% of renters in Brookline are cost burdened and 22.9% are severely cost burdened. Even more shocking is the fact that 16.5% of home owners are cost burdened and 11.1% are severely cost burdened. Ultimately some of these residents will face homelessness. Brookline CDC aims to correct this disturbing trend by providing critical resources.
Brookline CDC began its new chapter more than two years ago. At that time, we promised to build an effective voice for the needs of low and moderate-income people in Brookline. There is so much more for us to do. We continue to build an organization focused on creating and preserving affordable housing in Brookline leading to economic empowerment of historically disadvantaged communities in Brookline.
As our targeted affordable housing work gains significant traction, we continue to work with many allies to build a more inclusive community. We are witnessing Brookline further embrace improving affordable housing and services.
Some of our recent accomplishments include:
- Launching an emergency rental assistance program with support from the Brookline Community Foundation.
- Securing $2,000,000 to decarbonize and rehabilitate our twenty-two units of existing affordable housing.
- Negotiating an agreement to explore the development of new affordable housing for families and securing resources to undertake the predevelopment work.
- Assisting families to purchase their first home.
- Being a voice for the housing needs of low and moderate-income residents of Brookline and for racial justice in our housing policies.
We are asking today that you make a year-end contribution to support our ongoing work. While a gift in any amount is impactful, The Massachusetts Community Investment Tax Credit program entitles people who make a contribution of $1,000 or more on or before December 31st, to receive 50% of their gift back when filing their 2023 state income tax. Learn more about the Community Investment Tax Credit program.
Seeing so many of you join us to celebrate these achievements a few weeks ago at our successful first annual gala continues to invigorate us. Thank you for your continued support.
Warmly,
Deborah Brown
President of the Board
Brookline CDC is a 501c3 tax exempt organization. All contributions are tax deductible.
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