Josh Amaral, the new director of New Bedford’s Housing and Community Development Office, has been an up-and-coming city leader for a decade.
He helped lead the city’s School Committee in a new direction and revitalized the local nonprofit PACE’s housing program, growing it exponentially in just a few years. He was the most visible leader in the New Bedford’s housing relief efforts during the COVID pandemic.
But can he solve the problem of rapidly escalating rents and mortgages that have suddenly descended on Greater New Bedford the last few years? Amaral joined Jack Spillane to talk about the city’s just released comprehensive housing program for spurring development.
THe CHAT ARCHIVES
Sheriff Heroux at the halfway point: ‘There’s still work I want to do at the jail’
If you missed the hour-long discussion with the Bristol County sheriff, we’ve got the full Chat available. He said while he has made progress, he is “not claiming mission accomplished.”
Remaking The Zeiterion was ‘a big mountain to climb’
Just how did the folks behind the scenes pull off a $37 million restoration? And what can the community look forward to from The Z?
Food insecurity: ‘Food need is 365 days a year’
If you missed The Chat with Jack Spillane and local leaders of food distribution programs, you can watch it here.