HOME Tackles New Bedford Housing Issues

New Bedford needs more housing. That's the feeling of Carl Alves, a member of a community coalition Housing Options for Momentum and Equity, better known as HOME.

Alves stopped by Townsquare Sunday this week to discuss the city's housing crisis, and what HOME is doing to address it.

Alves said the group is "exploring new and innovative approaches to housing, as well as promoting new housing opportunities for all residents in the region." He said the coalition includes investors, landlords, and community residents.

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When we last talked with Alves and City Councilor Shane Burgo on housing issues in 2022, the HOME organization was still in its formative stages. The group has been holding regular meetings since and building more partnerships.

For instance HOME, with help from Congressman Bill Keating, will be hosting officials from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development on April 12 at UMass Dartmouth.

"We're going to be talking about opportunities for investors, and get to talk with HUD officials face to face and let them know what's needed on the SouthCoast," Alves said.

Alves said more quality housing is needed in New Bedford – all types of housing.

"People are just getting priced out of this market, more and more people are showing up at family shelters, more people are living out of their cars," he said. "This is a real economic issue and it affects us all."

The complete interview with Alves can be heard here:

Townsquare Sunday is a weekly public affairs program heard every Sunday at 6 a.m. and 11 a.m. on WBSM. The program spotlights individuals and organizations working to make Greater New Bedford a better place to live and work.

If you want your organization featured on Townsquare Sunday, please email the host at jim.phillips@townsquaremedia.com.