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Reclaim Roxbury Community Bulletin No. 5
Rent control campaign progress, introducing our newest team member, happenings in the community, and more!
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On The Agenda
- Happy holidays!
- Exciting rent control news
- Star joins the team!
- Learn how to protect your neighbors
- Community and Commonwealth News
- Volunteer Opportunities & available resources
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Happy Holidays Reclaim Family!
This December, we are not only excited to share news of the rent control campaign progress, updates within our organization, and community happenings — we're also highlighting holiday cheer! We hope that this holiday season provides a breadth of rest, renewal, and happiness. Don't sleep on your new year's affirmations!
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With 124,000 signatures collected, people power is putting rent control on the November 2026 ballot!
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From Roxbury to the rest of the state of Massachusetts, the efforts of those who tabled, made calls, knocked on doors, and gathered signatures for rent control paid off. Over 124,000 signatures for the rent control campaign were collected, and Reclaim, as an organization, collected 1,745! Without the 25+ volunteers who sacrificed their time and energy, this effort would have been impossible. However, this is just the beginning of the fight. Make sure to sign up using the link below to volunteer in the new year to keep pushing for statewide rent control!
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New NEU commitments advocated for by Reclaim Roxbury guarantees investment in Nubian Square and Roxbury for decades, increases on-campus student housing by 1,000 beds!
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After years of advocacy led by Reclaim Roxbury and our housing justice partners, Northeastern University has committed to expanded community benefits advocated for by Reclaim. While we didn't get everything we wanted, the community benefits and mitigation commitments in NEU's updated Institutional Master Plan are an important milestone in our fight to make the university pay its fair share. These expanded benefits include:
- An increase in payments to the Housing Stabilization Fund and Acquisition Opportunity Fund, from $1 million over 10 years to $10 million over 10 years. This ensures that NEU will be re-investing millions into affordable housing for years to come
- An increase of the projected on-campus student bed count by 1,000 beds, and a commitment that should off-campus housing ever exceed 6,800 units, additional mitigation efforts will initiated to offset the increase.
- Improved access to Carter Playground.
- A commitment to directly invest into Nubian Square and its small businesses.
Now the work begins to hold the university accountable to its commitments, but we want to recognize the City of Boston staff who worked hard to keep NEU at the negotiation table throughout this process, working with us to make sure our voices were honored during the negotiations.
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Introducing our new Field Organizer!
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Star Igbinosa is a Roxbury native and an Urban Studies undergraduate student at Barnard College of Columbia University. Throughout this summer, she has been an instrumental part of Reclaim Roxbury's mission as our Community Engagement Fellow.
She was inspired by Reclaim Roxbury's history of advancing community authority in urban planning and decided to reach out to become a part of these efforts, prioritizing the community that has raised her. In the coming years, she plans to complete her undergraduate degree and earn her master's degree in urban planning and policy.
We are confident that she will continue to deliver and lead for our community as a Field Organizer!
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Learn how to protect your neighbors from ICE!
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On Tuesday, December 16th, from 6-8 PM, the LUCE Roxbury Hub ICE Watch Training will be hosted at the Reclaim Roxbury office.
"The Community ICE Watch training is designed to inform attendees about the LUCE Hotline, its functions, and how to utilize the resource. The second half of the training will educate you about LUCE Hotline verification—including scenario practice. We keep us safe!"
For additional questions, reach out to Ellayna Dietz via Signal at Pineapple0920.49 or via email at dietzellayna@gmail.com. We hope to see you there!
Please practice caution and discernment when sharing this opportunity to engage in learning how to protect your community, and please DO NOT share with other mailing lists. Register here!
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Apply to the ELITE Organizing School by January 16th!
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The Emerging Leaders Inspiring Transformative Engagement (ELITE) Program is a leadership development opportunity designed to empower local community members who are passionate about driving positive change in their communities. The program is created in partnership with The Arc of Change and the Harvard Kennedy School's Practicing Democracy Project.
If this program interests you, apply here in the online application by January 16th and/or reach out to Trevor Lefauci for more information: tlafauci@urbanedge.org.
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Join the Rent Control Art Build! 12/13 @ 1 PM, 12/14 @ 2 PM
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We've won the battle to get rent control on the ballot, but the fight continues. If we're going to bring a revolutionary spirit to this movement, we're going to need revolutionary art.
Join the Homes For All coalition and Look Loud for a community art build inspired by the rent control campaign. Helps us bring banners, signs and other art to life, or design something cool and new!
No experience needed. All ages are welcome (kids under 12 with an adult).
When:
Two sessions—
Sat, Dec 13 — 1pm–7pm
Sun, Dec 14 — 2pm–7pm
Where: VietAID Community Center (same spot both days)
👉 RSVP: bit.ly/Art4RentControl
Parking available + 3 min walk from Fields Corner (Red Line)
PLEASE DO NOT SHARE ON SOCIAL MEDIA
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Take the Small Multi-family Resident Survey today!
The City of Boston is conducting a small multi-family resident survey to hear from our community about residential multi-family zoning. Your feedback will impact zoning and construction policies moving forward.
"While small multi-family buildings can provide more affordable and accessible options, they also are subject to a unique set of constraints under Boston’s current zoning code that often make designing, permitting, and constructing them a long, complicated, and expensive process. To alleviate and improve these issues, the Planning Department is working to create a Small Multi-family Guidebook."
Please complete this survey so that the City can hear from Roxbury residents before it's too late!
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Community & Commonwealth News
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Roxbury Bay State Banner
Boston GBH News
Commonwealth NBC Boston
10 Anticipated questions of the 2026 Massachusetts ballot
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Community Meeting & Events
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Immigration Defense Training — 12/16 @ 6 PM
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An Evening in Cuba: Celebrating the Heartbeat of Afro-Cuba — 12/11 & 12/12 @ 7:30 PM
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Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities
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Help the Dorchestor Food Co-Op Stay Open
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