In Springfield on September 9 there will be a rally outside city hall to call on the mayor and city council to provide more affordable housing. The rally goes from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. In addition to affordable housing, the protesters want jobs that pay better, among other demands. Details are at:

www.facebook.com/events/1196573300545452

The city is home to about 155,000 people, 67 percent of whom are people of color.

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Northampton’s Business Improvement District, created last month by the city council, has endured significant opposition, including about half the potential property owners choosing not to join, a lawsuit alleging it was created in violation of state law, and a protest march through downtown which resulted in two arrests.

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The proposal to establish an Amherst Affordable Housing Trust Fund, known as Article Six, was defeated in the Nov. 10 special town meeting, but town officials are hopeful it will pass in the spring.
Town officials said the article was defeated primarily due to fear of the town being liable for debt incurred by the Trust.
According to the Amherst town Web site, the Trust's "purpose shall be to provide for the creation and preservation of affordable housing for the benefit of low and moderate income households."