Blog

Where a Solid Foundation for Success Begins

Where a Solid Foundation for Success Begins

Every day parents and teachers are doing the best that they can to ensure that our young children have access to quality early education. That is why the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) celebrates “The Week of the Young Child” every year - to congratulate & emphasize the hard work done by families and educators all year round. Their joint efforts make NAEYC’s “...

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A Win for Early Education in Massachusetts

A Win for Early Education in Massachusetts

High-quality early education is critical to the well-being and future success of children, but high costs keep it out of reach for too many families. A recent report found that the average annual cost for full-day child care is $17,000 for infants and $13,000 for four-year-old children in Massachusetts, ma...

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Visitors Day: The 'Push' Students Need

Visitors Day: The 'Push' Students Need

Our Afterschool and Summer Learning Programs are doing their best to make an impact on the lives of elementary aged children in our community through focusing on their socio-emotional development as much as their academics, and no one understands the importance of this mission more than parents. That’s why we have made parent eng...

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How the Community Preservation Committee Could Influence Affordable Housing in Boston

How the Community Preservation Committee Could Influence Affordable Housing in Boston

This fall, more than 60 percent of Boston residents voted in favor of the Community Preservation Act (CPA), a one percent property tax that will raise nearly $20 million in revenue annually. Since then, we’ve been following how future funds will be allocated. With many Greater Bos...

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Why Boston Needs Low-Income Housing Tax Credits

Why Boston Needs Low-Income Housing Tax Credits

At IBA, we continue to watch the changes the Donald Trump administration and Congress will have on affordable housing. One topic we are watching closely is tax reform and its possible effect on the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program. Created 30 years ago, the LIHTC is a federal program that issues tax credits to state housing agencies. In Massachusetts, the Department of Housing and Co...

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Now More Than Ever, We Must Unite

Now More Than Ever, We Must Unite

Since Donald Trump was inaugurated as the 45th President of the United States 68 days ago, we have seen many changes; but we have also seen the power that many voices have when they join together. These changes have motivated people of all ethnicities, ages, and genders to be informed about the operations of our government, so they can stand up for their beliefs. What is even greater, is the posit...

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College and Financial Empowerment: Shifting Focus to Inspire

College and Financial Empowerment: Shifting Focus to Inspire

Our mission here at IBA is to empower and engage individuals and families to improve their lives through our housing and programs. We know that as our community grows & changes, so must our programs; which is why we are re-introducing our College & Workforce Development (CWD) as College and Financial Empowerment (CFE). CFE Director, Tiana Bonner, hope...

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IMAGINE BOSTON 2030: What’s been Done and What’s to Come in 2017

IMAGINE BOSTON 2030: What’s been Done and What’s to Come in 2017

Since Mayor Martin J. Walsh rolled out his Imagine Boston 2030 initiative in 2015, which vows to develop 53,000 new units of housing by 2030, we have been closely following the promises he’s made and progress that has occurred. Today, affordable housing is more critical than ever, as seen by ...

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Closing the Gender Gap in Boston’s Real Estate Industry

Closing the Gender Gap in Boston’s Real Estate Industry

Diversity is a critical topic in today’s local real estate industry, and a recent Banker & Tradesman series examines attempts made to improve opportunities for women and minorities. It notes two recent studies highlighting both the progress among women in the industry, while also the wage gap that pers...

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Teaching Youth to Use Art for Social Justice

Teaching Youth to Use Art for Social Justice

Arts Education increases learning engagement, self-confidence, and cultural acceptance; it empowers our Youth to discover their voices and speak out through creative expression, so one day they will be the leaders our community wants to see. Today, our Youth Development Program is transforming young people's lives by providing quality arts education opportunitie...

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2017: What's on Our Affordable Housing Radar

2017: What's on Our Affordable Housing Radar

Last year was critical for affordable housing in Boston, and 2017 may be even more important. With new leadership in Washington, D.C., new initiatives from Mayor Martin J. Walsh, and the enactment of the Community Preservation Act, Boston’s affordable housing landscape will continue to evolve. Here’s what we’re keeping an eye on in the year ahead. First, we anticipate continued progress by Mayor ...

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"Ciudadano" Fighting for Citizenship Through the Arts

"Ciudadano" Fighting for Citizenship Through the Arts

Last Friday, our La Galería filled with people - of all ages and backgrounds - celebrating the opening of Fernando Ruíz Lorenzo’s exhibit, “Ciudadano,” or “Citizen.” The Gallery Opening honored “100 years of Puerto Ricans as citizens of the American empire;” and as one spectator said, the art [and accompanying panel discussion] evoked feelings of “hope and despair.” [caption id="attachment_7548" ...

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Transforming Music through Cultural Fusion: An Interview with Miguel Zenón

Transforming Music through Cultural Fusion: An Interview with Miguel Zenón

We’re excited to host this world renowned saxophonist who is transforming the jazz tradition by infusing it with Puerto Rican folkloric music: Miguel Zenón, a Puerto Rican native, will debut his newest album, “Típico,” at our Villa Victoria Center for the Arts. This multiple Grammy nominee, Guggenheim Fellow, and MacArthur (Genius) Fellow, is not ...

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A Celebration for Generations

A Celebration for Generations

“The holidays are about bringing our community together,” said CEO Vanessa Calderón-Rosado during our annual Three Kings Celebration last Thursday. As many know, Latino culture encourages community celebration, and the holidays are the perfect excuse to do just that. In fact, in some Latin American countries, like Puerto Rico, the excitement of the Holidays lasts nearly two months and the largest,...

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2016 in Review: IBA Leads the Way in Affordable Housing

2016 in Review: IBA Leads the Way in Affordable Housing

It was a wonderful year for IBA. We moved forward with key projects, the City of Boston made significant strides in preserving and expanding affordable housing, and CEO Vanessa Calderón-Rosado was recognized for her work in the sector. IBA has played a powerful role in the real estate community, and we’re taking a look back at some of this year’s key highlights: IBA’s Developments:...

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