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
New Bedford’s Parks and Rec director comes to Chat
Mary Rapoza, director of the Parks, Recreation and Beaches department since 2013, sits down with Jack Spillane this Thursday at 2 p.m. to talk about a division of city government that is perhaps more visible to the public than any other.
Watch The Chat with new Sheriff Paul Heroux
In the wake of the first big challenge of his tenure as Bristol County sheriff, Paul Heroux will be the special guest of The Chat on Wednesday, May 3 at 7 p.m. As always, The Chat is free to attend, simply register below.
Video: Voc-Tech education justice group joins The Chat
Members of the Vocational Education Justice Coalition talk about their concerns that school admissions policies still prevent access to vocational education for many students in New Bedford.