Boston City Council Weighs Worst Landlords List and Public Housing Funds Amid Local Housing Challenges

The Boston City Council is considering making and publishing a list of the city's worst landlords, according to reports from CBS News and Patch. Caught In Dot also reported on Friday that the City Council has introduced a "Worst Landlords" database.

Alongside the proposed landlord list, councilors are addressing federal funding for local housing. According to WBZ NewsRadio 1030 on iHeart, the Boston City Council is urging Congress to restore federal funds for public housing.

The council's discussions come as housing availability, pricing and construction projects remain major subjects across Boston and Massachusetts. The Cool Down reported that in Boston, a 754-unit housing project is tied up in court after a $67.5 million deal unraveled. Meanwhile, an opinion piece published by The Business Journals argued that a Massachusetts ban on algorithmic rent pricing will not help the housing crisis.

Finding accommodations in the city has also been a challenge for families arriving for medical care. The Boston Globe reported that when a baby needed brain surgery in Boston, one of his parents' biggest hurdles was finding somewhere to stay. In commercial development news, The Boston Globe separately reported that the South Station Tower could be Boston's last skyscraper for a while.

Beyond housing and development, the Boston City Council has held proceedings on student safety. According to The Daily Free Press, the council hosted a hearing on assault and sexual violence in schools, where local organizations testified. In other local education news, the Boston Herald reported in its Ticker column that $1.8M was raised for the Boston Arts Academy, while also noting that inflation remains the #1 concern. Additionally, NBC Boston reported that Boston students are learning budgeting.

At the municipal level, the city of Boston is also issuing reminders on health coverage. According to Boston.gov, Boston is encouraging residents to apply for health insurance during the open enrollment season.