Latest news with #WayFinders
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Indian Orchard residents to discuss neighborhood investment funds
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Springfield city officials are looking for input from Indian Orchard residents. Springfield Police and residents met to address growing city crime and safety concerns The city is working to make investments in its neighborhoods. On Tuesday, they're inviting residents to attend a meeting to let leaders know what they want to see in their area and to vote on their top five investments for their neighborhood. Back in March, residents and neighborhood leaders in Indian Orchard, Forest Park, and Lower Liberty Heights joined with staff from Springfield, the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, and Way Finders to design and refine proposed investments in their neighborhoods as part of the Springfield Neighborhood Investment planning process. The focus of this work is to stabilize the neighborhoods that were negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Springfield is using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to support this project, which will continue through the end of 2025. The meeting will happen Tuesday from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Indian Orchard Citizens Council office at Myrtle Street Park. Dinner will be provided. If you can't make the in-person meeting, you can complete a survey on their website. Two other meetings are scheduled for the Forest Park and Lower Liberty Heights neighborhoods: Forest Park – April 16, 2025 from 6:00-8:00 PM, located at the John J. Shea Bright Nights Technical Training Facility building inside Forest Park at 299 Sumner Avenue 01108. No entrance fee is required. Lower Liberty Heights – April 17, 2025 from 6:00-8:00 PM at the Lower Liberty Heights Neighborhood Council offices at Emily Bill Park, 233 Franklin Street 01104. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Freedom Credit Union collects donations for Way Finders' housing efforts
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – During the month of April, Freedom Credit Union will be collecting donations to help benefit the Springfield-based Way Finders at all of their branches throughout western Massachusetts. Many stores confirmed at Springfield Crossing as construction continues Way Finder's mission to create an equitable, thriving region by bringing home stability and economic mobility to western Massachusetts. The agency provides services such as emergency financial housing assistance, support for renters, and help for those facing foreclosure. It also helps people secure employment, economic mobility, and home ownership. The donations that the community is invited to make will help fund the following efforts: Building and managing affordable housing in urban, rural and suburban settings Helping more than 5,000 families access emergency assistance and housing subsidies every year Helping people become first time home buyers Providing emergency shelter to families experiencing homelessness Supporting young parents and survivors of domestic abuse Fostering housing stability through financial education and employment The bank collects donations every month for a different charity as part of its Month of Giving campaigns. 'Safe and secure housing is a basic essential,' said Freedom Credit Union President Glenn Welch. 'Financial instability combined with a shortage of affordable housing in our region has forced many people into dire circumstances. We hope they know they're not alone.' WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Healey unveils historic housing plan
BOSTON, Mass. (WWLP)–Governor Healey unveiled a massive housing plan that seeks to build an additional 222,000 housing units by 2035. This is the largest housing plan of its kind in Massachusetts history, and aims to eradicate the state's housing crisis. The plan, dubbed 'A Home For Everyone,' includes strategies to increase housing production, preserve and upgrade existing housing, support individuals and families experiencing homelessness, and make Massachusetts a desirable and fiscally achievable place to live for all. House of Representatives poised to send $425 million to shelter system This plan has the stamp of approval from one western Massachusetts affordable housing organization–Way Finders in Springfield. Their CEO spoke to how this plan will benefit homeowners and renters across the state. 'When we are successful in this pursuit, we will have addressed the existing crisis, accommodated the unmet housing needs, achieved a healthy vacancy rate, met the needs of our existing population, and set the stage for long-term economic growth. Sounds pretty good, right?' said Keith Fairey, Way Finder's CEO. Massachusetts gets many essential house-building materials from other countries, including soft lumber from Canada and drywall components from Mexico. The governor is anticipating a potential bump in the road in the form of Trump-imposed tariffs. 'The last thing we need in Massachusetts is to add to the cost of what it takes to build housing,' said Healey. Governor Healey says potential tariffs could significantly slow down or stop housing production in the Commonwealth. A full digital version of this housing plan will be available to the public in the spring. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
