Arts & Entertainment
What Kind Of Communities Do We Want To Live In? Zoom Conversation
"At My Neighbor's Table" series to present a talk by Arlington, MA's Director of Planning, Jennifer Raitt on Oct 18th at 5PM.
The “At My Neighbor’s Table” series will present a free online event, “What Kind Of Communities Do We Want To Live In? Examining housing policies through a lens of equity” on October 18, 2020 at 5:00-6:30pm.
This event will focus on the impact of housing and zoning policies on community equity and diversity. Arlington’s Director of Planning and Urban Development, Jennifer Raitt, will be the speaker. Raitt also serves on Brookline’s Housing Advisory Board and Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MPAC) Executive Committee.
The Greater Boston Housing Report Card 2019 stated “Massachusetts, like many places..., has a long history of overt segregation in housing policies (such as redlining), Housing policies like exclusionary zoning, discriminatory mortgage lending and other practices in use as recently as the early 2000s...disadvantaged Black and Latino communities. While...illegal today, they firmly established segregated...communities based on class and color throughout Greater Boston.” Westwood’s grade on Housing Best Practices from this report card is mixed. As of 2018, Westwood has multi-family zoning (by special discretion) and mixed-use zoning. The town also permits Accessory Dwelling Units and has Inclusionary Zoning. Westwood has not adopted the Community Preservation Act, nor does it have an Affordable Housing Trust.
League of Women Voters Westwood/Walpole/Dedham is a sponsor for this event. Other sponsors include: Cooperative Metropolitan Ministries, Baha’i Community in Needham, Carter Memorial United Methodist Church, Christ Episcopal Church, Congregational Church of Needham United Church of Christ, Equal Justice Needham, First Baptist Church in Needham, First Parish in Needham Unitarian Universalist, Grace Lutheran Church, League of Women Voters of Needham, Progressive Needham, Needham Diversity Initiative, Needham Human Rights Committee, Temple Beth Shalom, and Wellesley Friends Meeting.
If you wish to attend the event, registration is on Eventbrite. Please register by October 13, 2020. Email Cooperative Metropolitan Ministries with any questions.