Interfaith Letter in Support of Affordable Housing in Newton

November 17, 2005

The Honorable David Cohen
President Lisle Baker and Members of the Board of Aldermen
Chairperson Andrew Stern and Members of the Community Preservation Committee
Chairperson Cathleen Clement and Members of the Zoning Board of Appeals

Re: Covenant Residences on Commonwealth

The undersigned members of the Newton clergy wish to convey our support for the proposed B'nai B'rith Housing project on Commonwealth Avenue. This development will include fifty-six homeownership units, eleven of which will be affordable to families at or below 70% of median income. We strongly urge the City to provide the financial support needed to bring this project to fruition.

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As clergy of differing faiths, we are united in our strong belief that providing shelter for the less wealthy among us is a shared responsibility. This obligation arises out of our humanity, and our concern that housing that is affordable, safe, and sanitary is available to people at all income levels.

The eleven new units of housing that are included in the proposal for B’nai B’rith Housing’s fifty-six unit development that will provide an option for people who cannot purchase a house at Newton's average price of $800,000. Today, the median income of families in Newton is $86,000. Having more affordable units will help Newton to keep its doors open to families and elders who do not have these kinds of resources, and cannot afford Newton’s average prices. We are confident that all of Newton will be enriched by the addition of these new units, and by the presence of the people who will inhabit them.

The voters of Newton chose to implement the Community Preservation Act, which provides funding for City support for affordable housing. The B’nai B’rith plan will provide such housing options, and would be a wonderful use of our CPA funds. As City officials, we hope that you will decide to allocate CPA funds to this project so that we can add to the affordable housing stock in our City.

Thank you for your attention, and your efforts to ensure that Newton welcomes those at all income levels within our City.

Respectfully yours,

Rabbi Eric Gurvis Temple Shalom
Sister Marie LaBollita Our Lady Help of Christians Church
Rev. John Stendahl Lutheran Church of the Newtons
The Rev. Kenneth F. Baily Newton Highlands Congregational Church, UCC
Rabbi Samuel Chiel Newton
Rabbi Barbara Penzner Temple Hillel B'nai Torah
Rabbi Scott Rosenberg Temple Reyim
Rabbi Paul H. Levenson Rabbi Emeritus of Temple Chayai Shalom
Rabbi Benjamin Samuels Congregation Shaarei Tefillah
The Rev. Miriam C. Gelfer Grace Episcopal Church
Grand Rabbi Y.A. Korff, Zvhil-Mezbuz Beiss Medrash/Congregation B'nai Jacob