Grace Ferguson / Reporter
Grace Ferguson reports on housing for the New Bedford Light. She graduated from Boston University in May 2022, and recently completed a fellowship reporting on police accountability for WBUR. Ferguson previously investigated housing issues in western Massachusetts for GBH News.
Stories by Grace Ferguson
Local lawmakers condemn ‘home equity theft’ as city officials defend tax collection tactics
“I’m sickened. What really concerned me is that big money can come in and pull the homes away from working people in New Bedford.” — Rep. Paul Schmid
‘Home equity theft’ — in New Bedford and across Massachusetts
How one Boston real estate investment firm earned millions by foreclosing on property tax debts it purchased from cities and towns
State lawmakers push back against costly new septic rules
A bill from state Sen. Mark Montigny and state Rep. Chris Markey would stop the state DEP from requiring nitrogen-reducing septic upgrades. The legislation would also make it illegal to require watershed permits without any funding attached.
Dartmouth officials assail state’s ‘corrupted’ septic regulation process
“This is the most rotten … process of government I have ever seen in Massachusetts. This is absolutely disgusting to the core, and it needs to be purified.” — Dartmouth Health Director Chris Michaud
All hands on deck as ‘triple-demic’ hits South Coast hard
Flu season off to an early, nasty start but RSV and Covid-19 still a concern. Southcoast Health, Community Health Center urge caution during holiday gatherings
Lead pipe replacement slowdown: Blame it on workforce shortage, funding
DPI commissioner speaks for the first time since The Light published two reports last month on the slow progress, saying his department is dozens of employees short.
New septic regs could cost towns, taxpayers and homeowners a bundle
“No one has said we want a dirtier environment … Where the disagreement is is how we get there, and we were left out — municipalities were left out of the discussion.” — Dartmouth Board of Health Director Chris Michaud
Ousted New Bedford tenants struggle to find shelter
One tenant is struggling to afford her new apartment. Another said the stress of moving led to an injury at work, and now he’s homeless and couch surfing. A third tenant found an affordable place, but he won’t give up the fight to save his neighbors from gentrification.
Council president Abreu urges action on New Bedford’s lead pipes, but it’s up to mayor
“If we can’t have a safe, healthy, well-functioning group of residents, then we are greatly failing our community for which we are elected to serve.” — New Bedford City Council President Ian Abreu
Dangerous lead pipes carry drinking water to thousands of city homes … Is yours one of them?
New Bedford’s efforts to remove the pipes have lagged in recent years and the cost of replacement can fall on residents.
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