Governor Deval Patrick has just recently appointed the chief lobbyist for predatory developers, Aaron Gornstein, as the head of DHCD (Department of Housing and Community Development). The state’s strategy remains focused on physical growth, despite the fact that the state’s population is not (and should not be) growing.
Gornstein and other predatory developers could care less about the insanity of this “strategy.” They continue to line their pockets at the expense of the rest of us.
Below is a statement from John Belskis, chairman of the group Reform 40B. Gornstein’s appointment makes it harder to see any possibility of 40B ever becoming a useful tool in creating effective affordable housing strategies.
Regards,
Roland Van Liew
Wishing all of you the joy of the Holiday season and a Happy New Year. Unfortunately the State has performed their usual act of installing questionable issues during the holiday season while nobody is watching. What a way to have coal in our 40B stocking and see 2011 out. The below links are from the Friday Hearald and Globe articles and cover the Governor's appointment of CHAPA's Aaron Gornstein to replace Tina Brooks as DHCD Undersecretary. The Globe article was buried well back in the Business section. Well, it looks like the almost one million voters that voted against 40B in last year's election didn't register with the administration, that the law needs some serious attention as all it has done in 42 years is produce a meager number of affordable units, while predatory developers used it to line their pockets. Appointing the leader of CHAPA, the developers’ lobbying organization, to head the State's housing operation, is a classic fox watching the hen house scenario. The developers, bankers, and real estate interests have just received a Xmas gift that is beyond their wildest dreams. The voters seeking an improved affordable housing program have just been given a stocking full of coal with the appointment of Aaron Gornstein to head the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). Mr. Gornstein has consistently opposed any legislation that could have made this law more effective and productive, while catering to the industry interests that his CHAPA organization has lobbied for over the years. Isn't it amazing how these types of appointments take place when the voter's attentions are focused on the holiday activities. Thank you Governor Patrick for playing this year's Grinch. |