Yesterday, Governor Baker announced that the statewide "stay at home" guidance will remain in place until at least May 4 - the right call.

Yet today is the first of the month. People across Massachusetts find themselves unable to pay rent or make their mortgage payment, through absolutely no fault of their own. The catastrophic economic effects of the coronavirus are only starting to be felt, and we need Governor Baker and our State Legislature to take dramatic action today to keep families in their homes - this is no time for politics as usual. In the words of Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley: "Massachusetts needs a mortgage & rent freeze now."

Today, State Rep. Mike Connolly, in coalition with grassroots housing justice organizations and local and State elected officials, released a petition calling for swift action on a moratorium on evictions and foreclosures, a #RentFreeze, mortgage forbearance, and a number of other urgent housing justice bills pending before our State Legislature.

We need your support - *please* add your voice here: http://www.rentfreeze.org/

Your voice made an enormous difference in the successful push to #ShutDownMASS, and your voice will make a difference in the movement for #HousingJustice. Thank you all, and stay safe.

Sincerely, Ben Ewen-Campen Somerville City Councilor