BOSTON—Yesterday, Mayor Martin J. Walsh joined Executive Director, Dion Irish, of the City of Boston Fair Housing and Equity Department to honor 12 winners of the Mayor’s 2015 Fair Housing Arts Contest, and the 2015 Fair Housing Landlord Award.
The art contest called for young Bostonians grades 1-12, to submit artwork depicting the theme, “Boston Opening Doors for All.” The Fair Housing Landlord Award recognized landlords and housing providers who go above and beyond to provide safe, healthy housing, that is affordable and accessible to all. In presenting awards for Fair Housing leadership and dedication to improving the quality of housing in Boston, Mayor Walsh recognized recipients as proponents of change.
“Congratulations to everyone who participated in the Fair Housing Contests,” said Mayor Walsh. “All of the students represented the next generation that will take the reins in making Boston a place of equal opportunities for all, and the landlords have set a great example for other landlords and neighborhoods to follow.”
“Congratulations to the art contest winners for your imaginative depictions; and to the property owners for providing housing that advances opportunity for all,” said Director Irish.
“HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO) is proud to partner with the City of Boston to support the second annual Fair Housing Art Contest, which reflects FHEO’s renewed commitment to educating the public about their fair housing rights and emphasizes how important it is that every person take action whenever they believe their housing rights have been violated,” said Regional 1 Director of FHEO, Susan Forward.
“Mr. Hou certainly deserves this recognition as well as our thanks for promoting the spirit of equal access for all in our great city,” said BHA Administrator Bill McGonagle.
Fair Housing Art Contest Recipients:
Elementary School
Daniela Acuna- Otis Elementary School
Jeidy Cruz - Patrick Lyndon School
Amira Beriane - Guild Elementary School
Middle School
Shakira Jean - Edward Brooke Charter School
Olivia Buzzelle- Washington Irving Middle School
Jaliyah Dujour-Marshall - Orchard Garden Pilot School
High School
Xuan “Linda” Qin- Boston Latin School
Maddy Ward- Boston Latin School
Rayzheen Crawford- Boston Day and Evening Academy
Honorable Mention
West End House Boys and Girls Club
Fair Housing Landlord Award Recipients:
Maloney Properties, Inc.
In 1981 Maloney Properties, Inc established a property management firm with a Human Focus. This mission continues today, fueling their strong approach to resident services and resident satisfaction. Maloney Properties, Inc currently manages 8,500 units throughout New England, with more than 4,500 in the City of Boston that offer a wide range of barrier free buildings and accessible units with amenities. Maloney Properties, Inc is dedicated to preserving affordable housing throughout the Boston area. For more than 30 years Maloney Properties, Inc has successfully designed, created, and implemented resident service programs that improve the quality of life in the communities they serve.
Philip Hou, Boston Housing Authority Landlord
Mr. Philip Hou is the owner of a three family home in Dorchester. Mr. Hou rents to a large family that has two disabled members and whose first language is not English. When the family approached Mr. Hou about renting an apartment in his property, he worked with the Boston Housing Authority to accommodate the family with a creative solution that involved utilizing the entire house and adjusting the family’s subsidy to better meet their needs. Mr. Hou also installed ramps and created an accessible living space in order to accommodate the family.