IBA Boston | Inquilinos Boricuas en Acción empowers and engages individuals and families to improve their lives through high-quality affordable housing, education, and arts programs.

On November 14, 2017
In Culture, People, Editorial, Affordable Housing

Let’s Build It: The Launch of Our Year-Long 50th Anniversary Celebration

In 1968, the city’s urban renewal plans for the South End threatened to displace the neighborhood’s hard-working Puerto Rican community and, with it, drastically diminish economic and cultural diversity. Advocating on behalf of their neighbors and families, a group of Puerto Rican activists founded IBA to preserve affordability and the right to thrive in the community they built from the ground up...

On November 06, 2017
In Advice, Education, Advocacy

Massachusetts Special Elections: What You Need To Know

Your vote matters. Voting in the upcoming special election is not only important because you decide the next mayor, but you also have the power to create and modify laws in our state and city. At IBA, it is our mission to improve our communities through high-quality programs and this starts with the individual. Your vote gives a voice to our community and by exercising your right to vote you are p...

On November 01, 2017
In People, Editorial, Advocacy

Following Puerto Rico’s Recovery: An Update on Recent Progress

It’s been over a month since Hurricane Maria swept through Puerto Rico, leaving crippling devastation in its path. Yet, despite the time that has passed, one in four Puerto Ricans still don’t have access to clean water, while three-quarters of the islan...

On October 20, 2017
In People, Affordable Housing

The City of Boston’s Innovative Approach to Affordable Housing

Access to affordable housing remains one of the foremost challenges for Greater Boston residents. According to a recent poll conducted by WBUR, 76 percent of participants indicated that they were “very dissatisfied or somewhat dissatisfied” with the high cost of housing stemming from Boston’s low vacancy rates, high-d...

On October 12, 2017
In People, Education

ALL STAR-YOUTH: SUCCESS STORIES FROM OUR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

We see the success of our Youth Development Program in action every day. Created to foster emotional, intellectual, and artistic growth in young people, the program also builds lifelong relationships between peers and adults and encourages young people to pursue leadership roles in their community. Our commitment was recognized by First Lady Michelle Obama in 2016...

On October 02, 2017
In People, Advocacy

Uniting Under the Massachusetts Fund for Puerto Rico

In the aftermath of Hurricane María, many of our community members have been struggling to contact loved ones as the entire island of Puerto Rico remains without power. Much of Boston has responded with an outpour of concern, reaching out with offers and ideas to organize relief efforts. We decided to host an open forum, giving individuals, both in physical and ...

On September 21, 2017
In People, Advocacy, Affordable Housing

Disproportionate Devastation: The Impact of Natural Disasters on Low-income Communities

Within a period of two weeks, Hurricanes Harvey and Irma swept through the Caribbean, Puerto Rico, Texas and the Southeast, causing mass displacement, billions of dollars in damages, environmental contamination, the unfortunate loss of many lives and concern throughout our community, as many residents worried about the safety of their loved ones. Acco...

On September 13, 2017
In Culture, People

Josean Ortiz: Married to the Theater

Josean Ortiz loves to talk. As a producer, director, and an actor, he is certainly never at a loss of things to talk about. His hands fly around in excitement as he describes his upcoming work, two shows which feature only him on stage. While most would shy away from hour long monologues, Josean welcomes the pressure. We sat down with him to learn more about the inspiration behind ...

On September 06, 2017
In Culture, Affordable Housing

New Program Gives Low-Income Families Access to Cultural Institutions

On Wednesday, the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) introduced a program that will provide low-income residents with free or reduced admission to more than 100 venues in the state. Card to Culture provides the discounts to anyone with an Electronic Benefits Transfer Card, which currently includes 758,000 reside...

On August 30, 2017
In Advice, Education, Affordable Housing

Empowering Residents Through New Programing

In an effort to impart long-lasting financial security & success in our community, we recently introduced the improved College and Financial Empowerment Program (CaFe). Tiana Bonner, CaFe Director, is leading the change in the hopes that this new program will provide low-income families with the tools and knowledg...

On August 23, 2017
In People, Affordable Housing

Beyond City Limits: The Affordable Housing Crisis in Rural America

This year, we’ve explored the critical need to preserve the financial accessibility and socioeconomic diversity of Greater Boston, from policy to local activism. However, the cost of living is rising in many other U.S. communities, with resident...

On August 16, 2017
In People, Editorial, Advocacy

One Hood vs. BPD: Playing For Community

On a warm afternoon this past Friday, the Blackstone Community Center came to life as the One Hood All-Stars trickled onto their home court. Hip-Hop music underscored the excitement as players greeted each other with high fives and began to warm up. It’s hard to believe there was a time when these kids didn’t get along. Members of the Boston Police Department (BPD) showed up shortly after, out of ...

On August 14, 2017
In Affordable Housing

A Changing Neighborhood: Gentrification in the South End

Over the course of the past few decades, Boston has undergone extreme transformation, particularly in historic neighborhoods like the South End. As one of the oldest organizations in the area, IBA has had a front row seat to its changing landscape. Several large-scale developments are reshaping the South End, introducing more than ...

On August 02, 2017
In Advice, Culture, People, Education, Advocacy

Diversity, A Key to Success for Our Children

Integrating diversity in our classrooms means more than enrolling students from a variety of multicultural backgrounds; it means, including lessons about their heritages, languages, and customs. When teachers create an environment that not only acknowledges diversity but celebrates what makes all of these cultures unique, then students can grow socially and academically with a bet...

On July 26, 2017
In People, Advocacy, Affordable Housing

Housing Boston 2030: Where We Stand & What’s Next

As we discussed in a recent blog post, local and national policy stands to significantly shape the future of affordable housing in Greater Boston. The ability – or inability – to successfully lower living costs and preserve accessibility for all residents will largely determine the socioeconomic and cultural fabric of our city as it c...

Blog

Let’s Build It: The Launch of Our Year-Long 50th Anniversary Celebration

Massachusetts Special Elections: What You Need To Know

Following Puerto Rico’s Recovery: An Update on Recent Progress

The City of Boston’s Innovative Approach to Affordable Housing

ALL STAR-YOUTH: SUCCESS STORIES FROM OUR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

Uniting Under the Massachusetts Fund for Puerto Rico

Disproportionate Devastation: The Impact of Natural Disasters on Low-income Communities

Josean Ortiz: Married to the Theater

New Program Gives Low-Income Families Access to Cultural Institutions

Empowering Residents Through New Programing

Beyond City Limits: The Affordable Housing Crisis in Rural America

One Hood vs. BPD: Playing For Community

A Changing Neighborhood: Gentrification in the South End

Diversity, A Key to Success for Our Children

Housing Boston 2030: Where We Stand &amp; What’s Next

Housing Boston 2030: Where We Stand & What’s Next