Candidates for mayor of Boston expressed strong support for a robust affordable housing agenda in their responses to a recent candidate questionnaire released today by a coalition of affordable housing advocates. 

"We are heartened that all the candidates who responded to our survey recognize the central role that housing plays in shaping the economic future of our city," Joseph Kriesberg, president of the Massachusetts Association of Community Development Corps., said in a statement. "We need our next mayor to ensure that all Bostonians can find and maintain a safe and quality home that they can afford in the neighborhood where they want to live."

Most or all of the candidates expressed support for direct city funding of affordable housing, holding banks accountable for sound lending practices and maintaining foreclosed properties, building and preserving affordable rental and homeownership housing and promoting comprehensive neighborhood redevelopment.

The housing questionnaire was organized by a coalition of groups, including Citizens Housing and Planning Assoc., Massachusetts Association of Community Development Corps., Boston Tenant Coalition, Local Initiatives Support Corp., Metropolitan Boston Housing Partnership, the Massachusetts Affordable Housing Alliance and the Fair Housing Center of Greater Boston.  Questionnaires were mailed and emailed to all candidates on July 15, included 15 questions and allowed candidates to use up to 50 words for answers.  The completed questionnaires are available exactly as they were received on CHAPA’s web site.