By Alberto Suris
On Monday, April 11 2016, Senator Elizabeth Warren visited Lawrence and with Lawrence Mayor Daniel Rivera, held a roundtable discussion at Greater Lawrence Community Action Council to discuss resources offered to the community by the organization.
Linda Soucy, Housing Division Director of LIHEAP Program was the first to speak. The Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) assists low-income individuals and families with the cost of heating their homes during the winter season. The program is funded through the US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and monitored by the Commonwealth’s Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) and implemented by GLCAC, Inc.
Soucy expressed concern regarding of the 24% increase of clients since 2008 (8168 in 2008 to 10,796 in 2015) compared to the 52% decreased of Benefit Levels to Clients during the same period of time ($1,495.00 in 2008 to $700.00 in 2015).
Evelyn Friedman, GLCAC Executive Director touched the issue of the high cost of rent in Lawrence and also the lack of affordable housing. “Lots are being sold for housing but owners can charge whatever they want,” said Friedman. No matter what they do, it’s a drop in the bucket, according to Ms. Friedman.
“We are looking for every possible way to solve the housing problem at the Federal level,” said Senator Warren. She went on to explain how “hedge funds are buying up properties and we are back to the situation we had with Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae.”
When the conversation turned to the Head Start Program needs, the Senator was clear saying that, “The good news is that we don’t have sequestration at this time. We are not there now.”
When it comes to pre-school education that each nickel spent today means dollars in the future. “We need to be shoulder to shoulder on this.”
She promised to fight for Lawrence in Washington and “sometimes I win, others I don’t.”
City Councilor Marc Laplante expressed concerns about the disappearance of the Middle Class in Lawrence. “Our middle class is constantly moving out,” he said. “Should we change and do more to get them to stay?” As a result of this mobility, Lawrence is always struggling with the recent arrivals, lacking language skills and in need of social services.
