This article appeared in the Dec. 04, 2003 Jewish Advocate.

Norris to address housing concerns at Temple Israel Sunday

By Susie Davidson

Advocate Correspondent

It’s no secret that housing costs in this state are among the highest in the nation. And for those who work to find secure roofs throughout the Commonwealth for those who need them, the task is that much more difficult.

It’s eye-opening at the very least to learn that over 600 Massachusetts families live in hotels or motels. These include people of every income level along with working adults who cannot earn enough to pay for housing in this state. Further, many young people leave Massachusetts due to the situation, leaving an already difficult economy without their contributions. Yet despite this crisis, recent state and federal budgets have drastically cut support for housing initiatives and organizations.

This Sunday evening, Dec. 7, at Temple Israel in Boston’s first floor Slater Lounge, from 5 -7 p.m., Chris Norris, Assistant Director at Citizens' Housing and Planning Association, will address measures being taken to produce more housing, and discuss how one can get involved in this important struggle. As part of The Jewish Alliance for Law and Social Action’s series of events for young social activists in their 20's, 30's, and 40's, there will be good food to share, and time to socialize. Children are welcome, but no separate child care activities are available for this event.

"The lack of affordable housing is one of our most critical problems in Massachusetts," said Cindy Rowe, Outreach Consultant to JALSA. "In accordance with the Jewish tradition of taking care of those in need, we must turn our attention to the production of more reasonably-priced housing options.”

Norris, who holds a 1988 bachelor’s degree from the University of the Pacific and a 1991 juris doctor degree from the Massachusetts School of Law, served as the coordinator of the National Consumer Law Center's Foreclosure Prevention Program prior to his current position, which he has held for six years. He serves of the Board of Directors of the Fair Housing Center of Greater Boston, Homeowner Options for Massachusetts Elders, and the Massachusetts Lesbian and Gay Bar Association, spent one year as Chief Staffperson for former State Representative Marc Draisen, and five years as a legislative aide for former Boston City Councilor David Scondras.

“CHAPA's primary concern is the creation and preservation of housing and housing options for low-income individuals and families, while at the same time balancing effective community planning, including smart growth policies,” he said. Impediments, he explained, have included large lot zoning requirements that exist in many communities, the lack of communities that allow multi-family housing to be built as of right, a decrease in state and federal funding for housing production.

"Massachusetts must develop a balanced affordable housing policy that emphasizes production, preservation, and direct assistance,” he said.

“From so many different perspectives -- homeless families, people with disabilities, low and moderate-income wage earners, graduating students who want to remain in our state -- the absence of affordable housing is hurting our society and our economy," added Rowe.

Norris concurred. “We must acknowledge that although providing temporary shelter for families is a piece of the puzzle, it is not a substitute for permanent, affordable housing," he said.

JALSA is a progressive voice within the Jewish community, engaged in working on issues of social and economic justice, civil rights, and constitutional liberties. For more information about JALSA, please go to our web site, www.jewishalliance.org. To receive weekly JALSA email updates, please email Decter@JewishAlliance.org.