The ordinance amendment, docket 0471, concerning the measurement of racial equity and affordable housing was a central topic, as it called for the creation of a detailed report on affordable housing developments and their effects on Black and Brown communities. The study aims to track demographic data of applicants, success rates in placement, and analyze the broader influence of housing policies on different racial groups.

Testimony by Dr. Nina Estrella Luna from Homes for Equity highlighted the long-term impacts of discrimination on wealth and opportunities. Dr. Luna advocated for metrics that would analyze the intersection of race and income, as well as the disaggregation of Asian subgroups, to monitor the city’s efforts to address these disparities. She also pointed out that deed restrictions could affect equity accumulation.

Speakers from the Department of Neighborhood Development, including Chief Sheila Dillon and Karina Oliver-Milchman, emphasized the importance of robust data collection to understand and improve the reach and effect of affordable housing programs. Current data tracking includes information on the location and type of affordable housing, applicants to housing lotteries, and financial assistance provided to buyers and renters. Efforts to streamline the application process and improve the digital experience for housing seekers were also noted.

The federally mandated duty to affirmatively further fair housing was brought to attention by Attorney Mark Martinez from the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute. Martinez stressed the necessity of robust data collection to overcome segregation patterns and fulfill the city’s obligations under the Fair Housing Act.

The complexities of data collection were discussed, particularly the challenges of capturing and analyzing applicants’ experiences and preferences. Efforts to improve data tracking and reporting, including the possibility of contracting out the work to address historical data challenges and the need for city investment and new partnerships, were considered essential.

The urgency to enhance data collection methods was echoed throughout the discussion, with the acknowledgment that reconciling different data sets and evolving definitions over time posed significant hurdles. The council debated the need for a strategic and systematic approach to data collection and analysis to better understand the impact of city programs and resources on various communities. The involvement of various city agencies and third-party entities in data collection and reporting was also considered, with a focus on collaboration for a comprehensive and accurate representation of housing-related data.

In addressing housing issues, the council highlighted the necessity of data analysis to understand progress benchmarks. The conversation explored the use of existing data to track the impact of housing policies and the importance of including race and ethnicity data to ensure equity in affordable housing programs. The challenges of implementing neighborhood preference in housing and the potential need for further discussions with HUD were also discussed.

The meeting shed light on the need to track the types of housing people are buying and to influence the types of housing being built, particularly larger family-sized units. The new Inclusionary Development Policy (IDP) was discussed as a potential means to provide more affordable larger units. Additionally, the impact of restricted deed housing on marginalized communities was underscored, with a call for a working session or meeting with the administration to further discuss and improve the ordinance related to data collection.