1 00:00:07,880 --> 00:00:11,360 Speaker 1: From WBZ News Radio in Boston. This is New England 2 00:00:11,360 --> 00:00:14,280 Speaker 1: Weekend where each week right here we come together we 3 00:00:14,360 --> 00:00:16,560 Speaker 1: talk about all the topics important to you and the 4 00:00:16,560 --> 00:00:19,360 Speaker 1: place where you live. Thanks for joining us again this week. 5 00:00:19,440 --> 00:00:22,760 Speaker 1: I'm Nicole Davis. Now, when you hear the phrase housing policy, 6 00:00:22,840 --> 00:00:25,919 Speaker 1: you're probably not immediately thinking about cats and fish and 7 00:00:25,960 --> 00:00:29,320 Speaker 1: guinea pigs, but that is actually what the MSPCA Angel 8 00:00:29,440 --> 00:00:32,120 Speaker 1: wants you to think about. See back in September, they 9 00:00:32,120 --> 00:00:35,320 Speaker 1: expanded their team to bring on Jamie Blackburn. She's a 10 00:00:35,360 --> 00:00:39,040 Speaker 1: housing policy specialist and she has one mission advocate for 11 00:00:39,080 --> 00:00:41,199 Speaker 1: pet owners and find a way to keep them and 12 00:00:41,280 --> 00:00:44,400 Speaker 1: their animals in their homes. Let's learn more about this 13 00:00:44,479 --> 00:00:46,400 Speaker 1: now Jamie is here on the show. It's great to 14 00:00:46,440 --> 00:00:48,400 Speaker 1: have you with us. I guess to start tell us 15 00:00:48,400 --> 00:00:50,680 Speaker 1: a bit more about the goal here and why this 16 00:00:50,840 --> 00:00:52,120 Speaker 1: is so important to you all. 17 00:00:52,400 --> 00:00:55,760 Speaker 2: It's a new position for MSDCA Angel. Actually it's not 18 00:00:55,920 --> 00:00:59,640 Speaker 2: exactly intuitive. You don't always think of housing as something 19 00:00:59,680 --> 00:01:03,120 Speaker 2: that animal welfare organizations will need to be involved in. 20 00:01:04,120 --> 00:01:07,639 Speaker 2: But quite frankly, they've been seeing a lot of new data, 21 00:01:07,760 --> 00:01:11,120 Speaker 2: new information coming into the shelter that's showing, you know, 22 00:01:11,200 --> 00:01:15,279 Speaker 2: a lot of evidence around animals being newly abandoned because 23 00:01:15,280 --> 00:01:18,959 Speaker 2: of the housing issues pressing on their owners. So not 24 00:01:19,000 --> 00:01:22,039 Speaker 2: only is that a new, you know, data point that 25 00:01:22,080 --> 00:01:25,759 Speaker 2: we are seeing, we're also struggling to keep fully staffed 26 00:01:25,800 --> 00:01:28,680 Speaker 2: at the level that we'd like to see at MSPCA 27 00:01:28,760 --> 00:01:32,080 Speaker 2: angel to provide the highest quality veterinary care in the country. 28 00:01:32,720 --> 00:01:36,040 Speaker 2: And so housing is actually impacting our ability to recruit 29 00:01:36,400 --> 00:01:38,640 Speaker 2: the staffing that we need, but also to be able 30 00:01:38,680 --> 00:01:41,479 Speaker 2: to provide homes the animals that are coming into our 31 00:01:41,480 --> 00:01:46,160 Speaker 2: shelter and prevent families from being separated unnecessarily because of 32 00:01:46,200 --> 00:01:47,040 Speaker 2: housing pressures. 33 00:01:47,200 --> 00:01:49,240 Speaker 1: That is a lot to work on all at once, 34 00:01:49,320 --> 00:01:53,160 Speaker 1: And I mean, how is it impacting MSPCA angels specifically 35 00:01:53,240 --> 00:01:55,160 Speaker 1: at this point? How many cats and dogs and other 36 00:01:55,200 --> 00:01:57,080 Speaker 1: animals are you seeing come in because of this? 37 00:01:57,640 --> 00:02:00,840 Speaker 2: Oh my gosh, you've seen a dramatic increase actually in 38 00:02:01,160 --> 00:02:02,920 Speaker 2: the number of animals that have come in over the 39 00:02:03,000 --> 00:02:05,840 Speaker 2: last three years. We did a day to look back 40 00:02:07,040 --> 00:02:11,280 Speaker 2: and what we've seen is that a huge percentage of 41 00:02:11,320 --> 00:02:14,320 Speaker 2: these animals are coming because of housing pressure. So these 42 00:02:14,360 --> 00:02:17,280 Speaker 2: are animals that would otherwise have been able to stay 43 00:02:17,440 --> 00:02:21,919 Speaker 2: in a very wanted home but otherwise have to be 44 00:02:23,200 --> 00:02:27,320 Speaker 2: unfortunately surrendered into our care. And so this has been 45 00:02:27,560 --> 00:02:31,400 Speaker 2: something we've seen across the board. It's happening around the country, 46 00:02:31,440 --> 00:02:35,080 Speaker 2: not just in Massachusetts, but MSPCA Angel provides the largest 47 00:02:35,080 --> 00:02:38,320 Speaker 2: amount of shelter services for animals in New England. So 48 00:02:38,360 --> 00:02:41,760 Speaker 2: this is something that we're seeing rise dramatically over the 49 00:02:41,840 --> 00:02:44,919 Speaker 2: last three years, which was the catalyst for creating this position. 50 00:02:45,880 --> 00:02:49,119 Speaker 2: And we're very grateful to a very special donor who 51 00:02:49,600 --> 00:02:55,519 Speaker 2: made this possible because it's such an upstream need around 52 00:02:55,520 --> 00:02:56,440 Speaker 2: our mission and. 53 00:02:56,400 --> 00:02:58,800 Speaker 1: I can't imagine it's good for the animal either. You know, 54 00:02:58,880 --> 00:03:01,680 Speaker 1: you have a loving family like you just mentioned, and 55 00:03:02,000 --> 00:03:04,359 Speaker 1: the owner is happy, the pet is happy, all of 56 00:03:04,360 --> 00:03:07,360 Speaker 1: a sudden they have to make this horrendous choice my 57 00:03:07,520 --> 00:03:10,840 Speaker 1: roof over my head or my beloved member of my family. 58 00:03:11,440 --> 00:03:14,400 Speaker 1: Talk to us about the mental impact this can have 59 00:03:14,440 --> 00:03:16,920 Speaker 1: and the physical impact that can have on not just 60 00:03:17,000 --> 00:03:18,639 Speaker 1: the animals, but families overall. 61 00:03:19,160 --> 00:03:19,760 Speaker 3: Oh my gosh. 62 00:03:19,800 --> 00:03:22,440 Speaker 2: It's If you speak to folks in the shelter, they 63 00:03:22,440 --> 00:03:26,359 Speaker 2: will tell you that these our gut wrenching scenes that 64 00:03:27,040 --> 00:03:30,000 Speaker 2: they are dealing with on a regular basis. Families are 65 00:03:30,000 --> 00:03:32,240 Speaker 2: coming in. They often have received a thirty day notice 66 00:03:32,680 --> 00:03:35,800 Speaker 2: that they either have to give up one of their animals, 67 00:03:35,800 --> 00:03:38,000 Speaker 2: perhaps they're not in compliance because they have more than one, 68 00:03:38,600 --> 00:03:42,120 Speaker 2: or that on. Another example of something we've heard pretty 69 00:03:42,120 --> 00:03:44,040 Speaker 2: frequently or we should have a lot of calls about, 70 00:03:44,200 --> 00:03:46,920 Speaker 2: is folks who have been long term tenants with pets 71 00:03:47,240 --> 00:03:50,400 Speaker 2: in their buildings, sometimes as long as ten fifteen years, 72 00:03:50,960 --> 00:03:54,200 Speaker 2: and their building is sold and their new property management, 73 00:03:54,280 --> 00:03:58,360 Speaker 2: their new landlord is unwilling to entertain a pet policy 74 00:03:58,880 --> 00:04:03,320 Speaker 2: and they have thirty to leave, and so we see 75 00:04:03,560 --> 00:04:07,800 Speaker 2: families have to make that gut wrenching decision to abandon 76 00:04:07,880 --> 00:04:10,960 Speaker 2: their to surrender their pet into our care, or on 77 00:04:11,000 --> 00:04:14,480 Speaker 2: the flip side, we see folks choosing to remain homeless 78 00:04:14,560 --> 00:04:18,080 Speaker 2: or enter homelessness in order to not be separated from 79 00:04:18,160 --> 00:04:18,880 Speaker 2: their pet. 80 00:04:19,120 --> 00:04:22,200 Speaker 1: Wow, I mean that connection is very strong. Obviously, you 81 00:04:22,279 --> 00:04:25,279 Speaker 1: don't ever want to leave your pet. People do everything 82 00:04:25,360 --> 00:04:28,520 Speaker 1: they can to protect them during storms and during emergencies. 83 00:04:28,560 --> 00:04:30,680 Speaker 1: I would imagine this is right up there with them. 84 00:04:31,440 --> 00:04:34,240 Speaker 1: What can you do then to try and get ahead 85 00:04:34,279 --> 00:04:38,120 Speaker 1: of a situation like this, because this seems systemic to me? 86 00:04:38,440 --> 00:04:40,600 Speaker 1: What could you possibly do to try to fix this 87 00:04:41,040 --> 00:04:43,599 Speaker 1: on the local and maybe the statewide level. 88 00:04:44,360 --> 00:04:47,400 Speaker 2: It is systemic, and this is why the MSCCA is 89 00:04:47,480 --> 00:04:50,080 Speaker 2: jumping in at this time. You know, Massachusetts has taken 90 00:04:50,160 --> 00:04:53,839 Speaker 2: really bold and historic steps to address the housing crisis. 91 00:04:53,880 --> 00:04:58,080 Speaker 2: I think folks are generally aware of how expensive and 92 00:04:58,120 --> 00:05:02,880 Speaker 2: how competitive the housing mart has become in Massachusetts, and 93 00:05:02,920 --> 00:05:06,000 Speaker 2: so we are lucky that we are launching this effort 94 00:05:06,440 --> 00:05:10,280 Speaker 2: at the same time that the legislature, the governor, and 95 00:05:10,400 --> 00:05:14,080 Speaker 2: stakeholders around the state have really recognized that housing is 96 00:05:14,120 --> 00:05:16,839 Speaker 2: a critical issue. I always say that all roads lead 97 00:05:16,920 --> 00:05:20,719 Speaker 2: to housing, right, it doesn't matter which issue we ultimately 98 00:05:20,720 --> 00:05:24,280 Speaker 2: are zooming in on. Housing is the common thread that 99 00:05:24,320 --> 00:05:27,840 Speaker 2: we've through through all of them. And so really what 100 00:05:27,880 --> 00:05:31,800 Speaker 2: we're trying to do is to create more PET inclusive. 101 00:05:31,320 --> 00:05:35,680 Speaker 3: Housing in Massachusetts. So what does that mean. That means housing. 102 00:05:35,279 --> 00:05:40,040 Speaker 2: That has that has free from reed restrictions, weight restrictions, 103 00:05:40,200 --> 00:05:44,960 Speaker 2: unreasonable fees, other barriers that really make it difficult for 104 00:05:45,000 --> 00:05:47,719 Speaker 2: folks to find housing. What we know is that less 105 00:05:47,720 --> 00:05:51,800 Speaker 2: than around seven percent of rental housing in Massachusetts. Only 106 00:05:51,839 --> 00:05:55,640 Speaker 2: seven percent of rental housing is actually truly PET inclusive. 107 00:05:56,240 --> 00:05:59,279 Speaker 2: So if folks really ask themselves, if I had to 108 00:05:59,800 --> 00:06:03,839 Speaker 2: find new housing in thirty days. How confident am I 109 00:06:03,960 --> 00:06:05,960 Speaker 2: that I could find a rental unit that would take 110 00:06:06,000 --> 00:06:08,680 Speaker 2: me and my seventy pound job. 111 00:06:08,800 --> 00:06:11,560 Speaker 1: Or just a reunit. In general, at this point out 112 00:06:11,560 --> 00:06:13,520 Speaker 1: of the city of Boston, I think they're at ninety 113 00:06:13,600 --> 00:06:17,400 Speaker 1: nine percent occupancy. There is no room to move here. 114 00:06:17,760 --> 00:06:24,080 Speaker 2: No, And so our main strategy focuses around building on 115 00:06:24,440 --> 00:06:28,000 Speaker 2: the success of the investments and the legislation that has 116 00:06:28,040 --> 00:06:31,760 Speaker 2: already been passed, the Affordable Homes Act, the Statewide Comprehensive 117 00:06:31,800 --> 00:06:32,640 Speaker 2: Plan for Housing. 118 00:06:32,640 --> 00:06:35,880 Speaker 3: These are really bold and historic steps, and our. 119 00:06:35,760 --> 00:06:38,880 Speaker 2: Message is Massachusetts has some of the highest rates of 120 00:06:38,920 --> 00:06:42,000 Speaker 2: pet ownership in the country, with the tightest within the 121 00:06:42,040 --> 00:06:45,680 Speaker 2: tightest and most competitive housing market. So in order to 122 00:06:45,720 --> 00:06:47,839 Speaker 2: address this, if we really want to move the needle 123 00:06:47,920 --> 00:06:52,400 Speaker 2: on improving conditions and allowing folks to be able to 124 00:06:52,400 --> 00:06:58,160 Speaker 2: find and afford housing, we cannot overlook the barriers that 125 00:06:58,440 --> 00:07:03,279 Speaker 2: lack of pet inclusivity is causing around affordability and access 126 00:07:03,320 --> 00:07:06,599 Speaker 2: for housing in general, because ultimately the problem doesn't go 127 00:07:06,680 --> 00:07:09,920 Speaker 2: away right. These animals end up in the custody of 128 00:07:09,960 --> 00:07:15,000 Speaker 2: the MSPCA and our partners, and then that prevents us 129 00:07:15,080 --> 00:07:18,680 Speaker 2: from being able to accept additional animals from outside of 130 00:07:18,720 --> 00:07:23,560 Speaker 2: our jurisdiction, other states that are dealing with overcrowding and 131 00:07:23,600 --> 00:07:25,920 Speaker 2: we cannot move these animals through our shelter. We've spent 132 00:07:26,160 --> 00:07:28,640 Speaker 2: over the last three years, the MSPCA spent almost a 133 00:07:28,720 --> 00:07:32,200 Speaker 2: million dollars collectively in caring for animals that would otherwise 134 00:07:32,240 --> 00:07:36,120 Speaker 2: be kept in their homes. And that's money that we 135 00:07:36,160 --> 00:07:39,920 Speaker 2: can use to really care for animals that are coming 136 00:07:39,920 --> 00:07:41,840 Speaker 2: in from out of state that really need our help. 137 00:07:42,720 --> 00:07:44,880 Speaker 2: And so this is something that we care deeply about. 138 00:07:44,960 --> 00:07:48,960 Speaker 2: We want to find solutions that are upstream, and so 139 00:07:49,000 --> 00:07:51,000 Speaker 2: we want to partner. We want to partner with the 140 00:07:51,040 --> 00:07:53,120 Speaker 2: Executive Office of Housing. We want to partner with the 141 00:07:53,160 --> 00:07:58,200 Speaker 2: housing sector to recognize that set inclusivity is good for 142 00:07:58,280 --> 00:07:59,400 Speaker 2: the entire commonwealth. 143 00:08:00,000 --> 00:08:02,400 Speaker 1: Would you say to a landlord then, who says, well, 144 00:08:02,480 --> 00:08:05,920 Speaker 1: I mean, I feel for these people, but pets tear 145 00:08:06,040 --> 00:08:08,400 Speaker 1: up my house or you know, cat's pee on the rug, 146 00:08:08,520 --> 00:08:12,320 Speaker 1: or they tear up the housing. However, they would argue 147 00:08:12,360 --> 00:08:14,680 Speaker 1: about that. I'm not a landlord. I don't know firsthand, 148 00:08:15,120 --> 00:08:17,160 Speaker 1: but you know, what would you say to landlords and 149 00:08:17,200 --> 00:08:19,880 Speaker 1: homeowners who might push back a little bit about this 150 00:08:19,960 --> 00:08:24,280 Speaker 1: and say, being pet inclusive would ruin my investment. How 151 00:08:24,280 --> 00:08:25,160 Speaker 1: do you respond to that. 152 00:08:25,840 --> 00:08:28,040 Speaker 2: You know, that's a common that's a common argument that 153 00:08:28,080 --> 00:08:31,120 Speaker 2: we hear. But you know, statistically, what we know across 154 00:08:31,120 --> 00:08:34,400 Speaker 2: housing is that actually, you know, children are often more 155 00:08:34,520 --> 00:08:36,960 Speaker 2: likely to cause damage to a unit human children as 156 00:08:36,960 --> 00:08:39,319 Speaker 2: opposed to as opposed to pets. It's a common it's 157 00:08:39,320 --> 00:08:42,560 Speaker 2: a common misconception that when we when we really dig in, 158 00:08:43,000 --> 00:08:47,559 Speaker 2: the data doesn't doesn't always support that. I think what 159 00:08:47,600 --> 00:08:50,600 Speaker 2: we do want to do is create an environment where 160 00:08:51,280 --> 00:08:53,480 Speaker 2: folks could be held to a certain standard. Being pet 161 00:08:53,480 --> 00:08:56,960 Speaker 2: inclusive does not mean there are no standards associated with 162 00:08:57,080 --> 00:08:59,640 Speaker 2: keeping those pets, and it does not mean that property 163 00:08:59,679 --> 00:09:03,000 Speaker 2: managed and property managers and landlords will not have tools 164 00:09:03,080 --> 00:09:07,800 Speaker 2: at their disposal to be able to address it. In fact, 165 00:09:07,880 --> 00:09:11,560 Speaker 2: we also find on sort of more of the for 166 00:09:11,640 --> 00:09:14,920 Speaker 2: profit end of housing on the open market, so not 167 00:09:14,960 --> 00:09:18,520 Speaker 2: subsidized housing, that we find that those units tend to 168 00:09:19,440 --> 00:09:23,880 Speaker 2: lease up faster and stay leased longer, creating higher profit 169 00:09:23,960 --> 00:09:27,199 Speaker 2: margins for those companies. There's a lot of emerging research 170 00:09:27,520 --> 00:09:31,200 Speaker 2: across the country to show that that as actually can 171 00:09:31,280 --> 00:09:35,600 Speaker 2: be profitable for larger portfolio holders. When it comes to 172 00:09:36,080 --> 00:09:39,600 Speaker 2: opening up to being more pet inclusive. Certainly, we know 173 00:09:39,760 --> 00:09:43,439 Speaker 2: in Massachusetts that folks of a certain age range, particularly 174 00:09:43,600 --> 00:09:48,040 Speaker 2: young professionals, people of millennial generation, are being increasingly shut 175 00:09:48,040 --> 00:09:52,240 Speaker 2: out of home ownership. They are also increasing the rates 176 00:09:52,320 --> 00:09:54,760 Speaker 2: of have the highest rates of pet ownership in the state. 177 00:09:54,920 --> 00:09:59,360 Speaker 2: And as they are unable to become home homeowners, they're 178 00:09:59,400 --> 00:10:01,720 Speaker 2: turning to the run market. And the market needs to 179 00:10:01,760 --> 00:10:06,559 Speaker 2: respond to the to the demands from from consumers, and 180 00:10:06,920 --> 00:10:09,040 Speaker 2: that is for pet inclusive housing. 181 00:10:09,240 --> 00:10:10,840 Speaker 1: What kind of a response to you getting right now 182 00:10:10,840 --> 00:10:14,440 Speaker 1: from Beacon Hill and otherwise when you bring these arguments 183 00:10:14,520 --> 00:10:16,640 Speaker 1: and these facts up to them when it comes to 184 00:10:16,679 --> 00:10:17,960 Speaker 1: pet inclusive housing. 185 00:10:18,040 --> 00:10:21,079 Speaker 2: We have received some support for these issues. I think 186 00:10:21,080 --> 00:10:24,559 Speaker 2: it's really important to outline that this is really an 187 00:10:24,600 --> 00:10:28,080 Speaker 2: extension of the work that's already been done, already been 188 00:10:28,160 --> 00:10:31,360 Speaker 2: launched and spearheaded and championed by some really great folks 189 00:10:31,360 --> 00:10:33,400 Speaker 2: on Beacon Hill, including Governor Haaey. 190 00:10:34,400 --> 00:10:36,319 Speaker 3: You know that a tackling housing is. 191 00:10:36,280 --> 00:10:39,440 Speaker 2: A major major issue, and you know, if we're serious 192 00:10:39,480 --> 00:10:42,959 Speaker 2: about advancing those priorities in the statewide plan, making it 193 00:10:43,000 --> 00:10:49,120 Speaker 2: easier and more affordable to find housing, improving equity, reducing fees, creating. 194 00:10:48,760 --> 00:10:50,079 Speaker 3: A robust workforce. 195 00:10:50,160 --> 00:10:53,720 Speaker 2: All of these things tie back to to what we 196 00:10:53,760 --> 00:10:56,080 Speaker 2: are you know, the issues that we're talking about. Let's 197 00:10:56,080 --> 00:11:00,400 Speaker 2: not leave behind pet families that are increasingly coming a 198 00:11:00,480 --> 00:11:04,960 Speaker 2: larger and larger portion of the of renters, of the 199 00:11:05,000 --> 00:11:08,960 Speaker 2: renter population in Massachusetts. And if we're serious about tackling 200 00:11:09,040 --> 00:11:13,000 Speaker 2: housing as a broad marquee issue in Massachusetts, that it is, 201 00:11:13,360 --> 00:11:17,600 Speaker 2: we cannot overlook the impact that these barriers have on 202 00:11:17,640 --> 00:11:18,920 Speaker 2: those larger objectives. 203 00:11:19,000 --> 00:11:20,559 Speaker 1: And I want to make it clear, this is not 204 00:11:20,679 --> 00:11:24,240 Speaker 1: just about housing in Boston. This is about all of Massachusetts. 205 00:11:24,240 --> 00:11:27,559 Speaker 1: Because yes, MSPCA angel is in Jamaica plane, but you've 206 00:11:27,600 --> 00:11:31,040 Speaker 1: also got facilities around most of eastern mass So this 207 00:11:31,160 --> 00:11:34,479 Speaker 1: is I'm assuming, not just a greater Boston movement here. 208 00:11:34,600 --> 00:11:35,160 Speaker 3: No, it is not. 209 00:11:35,280 --> 00:11:38,480 Speaker 2: This is this is a statewide effort, statewide campaign. You know, 210 00:11:38,520 --> 00:11:41,920 Speaker 2: state wide, Massachusetts has around a three point three percent, 211 00:11:41,920 --> 00:11:45,640 Speaker 2: three point two percent rental vacancy rate, which is extremely 212 00:11:46,040 --> 00:11:50,120 Speaker 2: extremely low. We really want to see something up over 213 00:11:50,200 --> 00:11:53,360 Speaker 2: five percent vacancy rates and what we would describe as 214 00:11:53,360 --> 00:11:56,880 Speaker 2: a healthy housing market. So not surprising to anyone, uh, 215 00:11:57,040 --> 00:12:01,160 Speaker 2: Massachusetts as a whole is also the effects of that 216 00:12:01,240 --> 00:12:04,720 Speaker 2: tight competitive housing market. So this is something that entirely 217 00:12:04,720 --> 00:12:06,880 Speaker 2: affects the commonwealth. Now when we talk about the City 218 00:12:06,920 --> 00:12:10,480 Speaker 2: of Boston, ms MSPCA Angel has a tougher time when 219 00:12:10,520 --> 00:12:13,040 Speaker 2: it comes to workforce housing. And that's really where we 220 00:12:13,080 --> 00:12:15,880 Speaker 2: see this issue cutting across all of the lines of 221 00:12:15,960 --> 00:12:18,880 Speaker 2: our of our mission. And you know, we maintain one 222 00:12:18,960 --> 00:12:23,480 Speaker 2: of the top best equipped veterinary hospitals in the country. 223 00:12:23,960 --> 00:12:26,600 Speaker 2: But in order for us to continue serving our clients 224 00:12:26,600 --> 00:12:29,319 Speaker 2: at the level that we have always been, we want 225 00:12:29,360 --> 00:12:32,200 Speaker 2: to recruit and retain the best workforce that we can 226 00:12:32,360 --> 00:12:35,720 Speaker 2: and increasingly that is getting more and more difficult to 227 00:12:35,760 --> 00:12:39,760 Speaker 2: do because of the housing pressures. So whether we're talking 228 00:12:39,800 --> 00:12:42,640 Speaker 2: about strengthening our workforce and this is this is something 229 00:12:42,640 --> 00:12:46,280 Speaker 2: that we see cutting across all sectors, not just animal welfare, 230 00:12:46,320 --> 00:12:49,559 Speaker 2: but human healthcare as well is seeing the same squeeze 231 00:12:49,640 --> 00:12:52,000 Speaker 2: when it comes to promoting a healthy a healthy workforce. 232 00:12:52,040 --> 00:12:55,640 Speaker 2: So this is an issue that cuts across and we 233 00:12:55,679 --> 00:12:59,280 Speaker 2: feel it's just so important to tackle and if we 234 00:12:59,320 --> 00:13:01,360 Speaker 2: want to be as a impactful we have to look 235 00:13:01,400 --> 00:13:03,000 Speaker 2: at this this area as well. 236 00:13:03,120 --> 00:13:05,120 Speaker 1: Well, let's talk about the work you're doing on Beacon Hill. 237 00:13:05,160 --> 00:13:07,840 Speaker 1: You've got a couple of bills going one, five, five, 238 00:13:08,000 --> 00:13:10,800 Speaker 1: nine and Senate Bill ten twenty two. Talk to me 239 00:13:10,800 --> 00:13:13,720 Speaker 1: about what exactly if these bills are passed, what you're 240 00:13:13,800 --> 00:13:15,760 Speaker 1: asking for here as part of this agenda. 241 00:13:16,000 --> 00:13:19,120 Speaker 2: Yes, so we have a pretty robust legislative agenda. And 242 00:13:19,160 --> 00:13:22,800 Speaker 2: as I said, these really tracked with the affordable the 243 00:13:23,240 --> 00:13:26,320 Speaker 2: AHAV Affordable Homes Act that was passed last year, and 244 00:13:26,360 --> 00:13:29,160 Speaker 2: it really is just filling in some of the gaps 245 00:13:29,200 --> 00:13:31,400 Speaker 2: that maybe folks hadn't really thought of when we're talking 246 00:13:31,400 --> 00:13:35,120 Speaker 2: about pet inclusivity and the impact of these barriers on 247 00:13:35,160 --> 00:13:36,800 Speaker 2: some of these really big priorities. 248 00:13:37,200 --> 00:13:40,200 Speaker 3: So this, uh so, this legislation would. 249 00:13:39,880 --> 00:13:42,640 Speaker 2: Make it easier for residents of the Commonwealth to find 250 00:13:42,679 --> 00:13:49,439 Speaker 2: and apply for rental housing by removing breed restrictions, weight restrictions. 251 00:13:50,160 --> 00:13:54,480 Speaker 2: It puts caps on pet rent fees, placing them at 252 00:13:54,520 --> 00:14:00,120 Speaker 2: a reasonable amount and not placing undue burdens. And it 253 00:14:00,280 --> 00:14:03,280 Speaker 2: continues to support other aspects of the AGA as well 254 00:14:03,280 --> 00:14:08,720 Speaker 2: about advancing equity and fair housing, preventing evictions, and creating 255 00:14:08,800 --> 00:14:12,199 Speaker 2: that competitive workforce environment. So really it's all about trying 256 00:14:12,280 --> 00:14:17,880 Speaker 2: to improve housing, housing choice, housing choice. So while this 257 00:14:18,120 --> 00:14:20,920 Speaker 2: current legislation is really focused a bit more on state 258 00:14:20,960 --> 00:14:25,440 Speaker 2: aided public housing. We are also seeking to remove breed 259 00:14:25,520 --> 00:14:29,120 Speaker 2: and weight restrictions in HOA housing as well. 260 00:14:29,280 --> 00:14:31,880 Speaker 1: All right, good to know. Well, if somebody is interested 261 00:14:31,960 --> 00:14:33,840 Speaker 1: in helping out, If people want to find out more 262 00:14:33,880 --> 00:14:37,440 Speaker 1: about your agenda about this problem and what they can 263 00:14:37,520 --> 00:14:39,880 Speaker 1: maybe do to assist, where can they get more information? 264 00:14:40,240 --> 00:14:40,760 Speaker 3: Great question. 265 00:14:41,040 --> 00:14:43,920 Speaker 2: MSPCA dot org. Slash Housing if you want to learn 266 00:14:43,960 --> 00:14:46,360 Speaker 2: more about this issue, has a great summary of what 267 00:14:47,040 --> 00:14:49,720 Speaker 2: we're seeking to do with this campaign, our Action for 268 00:14:49,800 --> 00:14:53,600 Speaker 2: pet Inclusive Housing. It's all about keeping families together in 269 00:14:53,680 --> 00:14:56,720 Speaker 2: the Commonwealth and making it easier for folks to find 270 00:14:56,840 --> 00:14:59,880 Speaker 2: housing that will take every member of their family, including 271 00:15:00,120 --> 00:15:00,880 Speaker 2: four leg it once. 272 00:15:01,080 --> 00:15:05,000 Speaker 1: Jamie Blackburn from MSPA angel a lot of great information here. 273 00:15:05,160 --> 00:15:07,080 Speaker 1: Thank you for the education and thanks for the time. 274 00:15:07,320 --> 00:15:08,240 Speaker 3: Thank you so much, Nichole. 275 00:15:09,040 --> 00:15:11,480 Speaker 1: Have a safe and healthy weekend. Please join me again 276 00:15:11,560 --> 00:15:14,240 Speaker 1: next week for another edition of the show. I'm Nicole 277 00:15:14,400 --> 00:15:17,520 Speaker 1: Davis from WBZ News Radio on iHeartRadio.