Above: Political message painted on hay bales prior to arson; photo courtesy Megan Whilden; via Facebook.

Are you concerned with the security of your housing situation?

Rental assistance programs in Mass:

https://www.mass.gov/how-to/apply-for-assistance-to-keep-your-family-housed https://www.mass.gov/covid-19-getting-help-with-housing-costs Tenants’ rights: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/tenant-rights Legal help: >https://www.masslegalhelp.org/housing/ https://www.masslegalservices.org/FindLegalAid >https://www.nolo.com/

In this episode, we talk about:

Freak wind storm:

https://www.iberkshires.com/story/63268/Powerful-Storm-Rips-Through-the-Berkshires.html

Holiday Farm Hay Bale Political Sign Arson

https://www.iberkshires.com/story/63301/Dalton-Man-Charged-With-Setting-Fire-to-Biden-Harris-Sign.html

North Adams Public Schools have reported the first positive case of COVID-19

https://www.iberkshires.com/story/63283/North-Adams-Schools-Report-First-Case-of-COVID-19.html

Great Barrington Declaration https://gbdeclaration.org/

Demonstrators In Boston, Somerville Call For Extension Of Massachusetts Eviction Moratorium https://boston.cbslocal.com/2020/10/12/demonstrators-rally-boston-somerville-massachusetts-eviction-foreclosure-moratorium-covid-19/

The EARN IT legislation that could end any semblance of privacy on the internet:

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2020/03/earn-it-bill-governments-not-so-secret-plan-scan-every-message-online

Massachusetts is facing 20,000 new eviction cases starting October 17th. Not people — complaints. Let’s say that half of those are families with two adults and two children. That pushes the number of people newly out on the streets closer to 50,000. That’s more than the populations of Pittsfield and North Adams combined.

There is legislation in the works to extend Mass’ eviction moratorium:

https://www.patjehlen.org/news/covid-housing-stability-act-sd2992hd5166

A summary of the bill is here:

Click to access Summary%20of%20Housing%20Stability%20Bill.pdf

TLC Episode 88