 Stevens Corner in North Andover Awarded State Funding
NOAH is very grateful to the Patrick Administration and Undersecretary of Housing and Community Development, Tina Brooks, for awarding NOAH financing for our 42-unit, $10.2 million rental project in North Andover. The award needs an investor for the tax credits and we are aggressively seeking investors at this time. This old nursing home is being redesigned and will help the Town reach its 10% affordable housing goal. The Townspeople -- elected and appointed officials, Town Meeting members, and neighbors -- have been very gracious and helpful in this collaboration, including investing approximately $1.4 million of the Town's own funds. The Life Initiative provided acquisition funding. We want to succeed not only for the families in need of this housing, but on behalf of the Town, as well. The times are rough for investors but we are hopeful an entity will choose our project, which has great attributes. Please call Phil Giffee at 617-418-8240 with any advice or leads on investors.
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 NOAH'S Newest Real Estate Project: The Sitkowski School in WebsterWe are very excited and proud that the Town of Webster chose the NOAH team through a competitive process to renovate the Town's historic Sitkowski School, which is attached to their beautiful Town Hall. Working closely with the Town over the next couple years, we intend to file an application to the State and create a $17.8 million, 60-unit independent-living senior affordable-housing community. There will be 14 two-bedroom and 46 one-bedroom apartments for residents aged 62 and older. The development will retain a 'school' theme, and will re-use some of the original wood and glass classroom doors. The oaken-paneled School Library space is designated to become a multi-purpose room with resident common areas. The spacious old gym could replace the smaller, off-site senior center.
We want to thank our team partners, Bob Engler development consultant, Peter Shaffer of DiMella Shaffer Architects, John Burns of Landmark Structures, general contractor, Albert Rex of MacRostie Historic Advisors, attorney John Smolak of Smolak and Vaughan, Mark Beaudry, civil engineer of Meridian Associates Inc., and Joel Feinberg of Bartlett, Hackett and Feinberg, NOAH's corporate attorney. As in North Andover, Carlisle and elsewhere, we will be seeking tax credit investors to fill the equity in this great and much-needed project. Seniors are a large and growing demographic in the community, which abuts the Connecticut border 12 miles south of Worcester. It is important for us to note, as in NOAH's other development projects, we will be working collaboratively with the Town to help them achieve their goals.
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 Secrets of Eastie! Please join us at our pre-summer outdoor celebration on Thursday evening, June 25 from 6:00 and 9:00 PM at East Boston's own Hyatt Harborside. One 'Secret of Eastie' is the Hyatt, which has some of the best views in the entire City of Boston. The fragrant sea breezes and salt air at the Hyatt are a great way to watch the sun settle over Boston Harbor and downtown Boston. All are welcome to this cheery event hosted by some of NOAH's newest Board members and sponsored by Citizens Bank and the Beal Companies, LLP. Wonder about other Secrets? Here are some clues: What does Washington DC have in common with East Boston? Where was the first battle of the Revolutionary War fought - and won! What famous pilots landed at Logan Airport before they began their historic voyages? If you think you know the answers or want to find out more, come to the party and learn about East Boston's rich cultural and social history, terrific ethnic restaurants, and wonderful people. Tickets are available on-line starting at Supporter $25, Friend at $50 and Champion at $100. Appetizers included; cocktails available. Click here to reserve your space or call Linda Miller-Foster at 617-418-8246 for more information. Easily accessible by MBTA, water taxi and car; parking on site available.
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 $30,000 NEFA Grant for 'Our Garden'
NOAH would like to thank the New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA) for its recent funding of the Our Garden public art project. East Boston Artist Gretchen Schneider will create a collective, community-driven art piece designed to raise visibility of the garden and make it a space of which the East Boston community can be proud. NOAH had previously received a grant from NEFA to help design this project; the new grant will help to make the installation a reality. The functional art will consist largely of concrete benches, covered in mosaics, each bench designed by different community groups to reflect East Boston's cultural heritage and current community issues. It will anchor a public passageway leading from the Eagle Hill Neighborhood to the Umana Barnes Middle School used by hundreds of residents every day; and it willl work to create a neighborhood greenspace that can be used as an outdoor classroom, community garden, and resident park. NOAH is looking to help coordinate a new community-run Friends of Our Garden Committee to raise money for a small Maintenance Endowment Fund. Please contact Brenda Cotto-Escalera at 617-418-8241 if you have any questions or would like to become involved. Pictured at left: youth learning about urban gardening from NOAH staffer Diana Baldelomar. |
 NOAH Foreclosure Prevention Success Story
NOAH has had numerous successes in saving the homes of families around Boston and the region, including several multi-family units. One recent story is that of a client living on Meridian Street in East Boston. The client, who works two jobs at Logan Airport, suffered a pay cut last year due to the economy. At the same time, he had to make critical safety repairs to his tenant units totaling $18,000. He exhausted his savings, took on extra debt, and could no longer make his payments as of last September. NOAH was able to help him apply for a loan modification, as well as clarify his escrow payments, since both he and the servicer were paying them. Fannie Mae reduced his monthly payment from 65% to 31% of his income, from $2748 to $1471. His interest rate fell from an 8.75% ARM to a 2% loan fixed for five years, and his delinquent amount was added to the end of the loan period. If you know of a family in danger of losing their home, please send them to one of NOAH's Monday night Foreclosure Prevention Clinics or have them call Carolina Trujillo at 617-418-8267.
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 NOAH Volunteers
NOAH is very grateful for all the many fine volunteers who donate their time throughout the year; thank you to all of you! Pictured from left to right are three of NOAH's volunteers: Adriana Rojas, John Arp and Su Joun. Adriana is a bilingual lawyer from Boston with law degrees from Boston University and Boston College. John has extensive experience in the financial industry, including Bank of America, First Mutual of Boston, and Fleet Financial. He holds a BS from Holy Cross and an MBA from Wharton Graduate School of Business. Su has helped families with educational financing during her 15-year tenure at KeyCorp; and published her own parenting magazine. She has a Suffolk MBA and is pursuing a masters degree at Northeastern University. NOAH is looking for summer college interns. If you know of potential NOAH volunteers, they can contact Linda Miller-Foster at 617-418-8246 for more information.
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 Upcoming June Events
All events are held at NOAH at 143 Border Street in East Boston, unless indicated otherwise. Secrets of Eastie
New NOAH event! Discover the hidden treasures of East Boston on Thursday evening, June 25 from 6:00 to 9:00 PM, at the Hyatt Harborside. Tickets available at Champion Sponsor at $100, Friend Sponsor at $50, or Supporter Sponsor at $25 per person. Appetizers included; cocktails available. Sponsored by Citizens Bank and the Beal Companies, LLP. For more information, please contact Linda Miller-Foster at 617-418-8246.
Chelsea River Revel
Come help us celebrate the accomplishments of our Chelsea and East Boston environmental activists! Don't miss the 6th annual River Revel on Saturday, June 13 from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM; with a 5K Road Race at 10:00 AM; and a fun 1 Mile Kiddie Race at 9:30 AM. This year's theme is Bridging Communities Across the Creek! Featuring food vendors, family fun, a rock climbing wall, and more, this event is held on the Meridian Street Bridge, which is closed to vehicular traffic that day. Free admission. For more information, please contact Manlio Mendez at 617-418-8242.
Bilingual Foreclosure Clinic Held every Monday evening, except for holidays: Monday evenings, June 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29at 6:00 PM at NOAH. This is the initial counseling and education session for foreclosure prevention and mitigation counseling. Attendees should bring recent mortgage related correspondence and paperwork. For more information, please contact Kathy Objio at 617-418-8262.
English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
A new term of ESOL classes began the week of May 18. There is still time to sign up to attend! Weeknight classes are are held from 6:00 to 8:30 PM; and will continue through the week of July 24. Level I classes are held every Tuesday and Thursday evening. Level II classes are held each Wednesday and Friday. The ongoing English Conversation Group meets each Saturday morning from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM; newcomers are welcome. Please contact Manlio Mendez at 617-418-8242 for additional information.
First Time Homebuyer Class - in English
This three-night class will meet on Monday, June 1, Wednesday, June 3, and again on Monday, June 8. To receive a City of Boston certificate, attendees must attend all three evenings. For more information, please contact Zaragoza Guerra at 617-418-8261. Chelsea Creek Action Group (CCAG) Meeting
The next CCAG meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 9, at 6:30 PM. CCAG meetings are now held on the second Tuesday of each month. Newcomers are welcome. For more information, please call Brenda Cotto-Escalera at 617-418-8241.
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Thank you for your interest in NOAH! You can find out further information about NOAH events at our web site calendar at www.noahcdc.org.
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