HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-03-06-LHRC-min
Town of Lexington Human Rights Committee
Meeting Minutes for Thursday, March 06, 2025
LHRC MEMBERS PRESENT
Christina Lin, Chair (CL); Stephanie Hsu, Vice-Chair (SH); Stephanie Ryan (SR); Rachel Levy (RL)
Liaisons in attendance - Mark Sandeen, Select Board (MS); Dana Bickelman, Director of Human
Services (DB); Juanica Buchanan, Outreach Coordinator (JB)
Guest: Sarah Morrison, Director of LexHAB (SM); Kelsey Rollins, Senior Services (KR)
The minutes recorded by Christina Lin
1. Member/Liaison Updates
a. Chair shared they have asked for “Know Your Rights” information on immigrant
rights to be posted on town website citing Brookline and Somerville as examples.
b. The Chair shared that there is a group of citizens interested in creating a working
group on Immigrant rights and are asking to be housed under LHRC.
Committee to vote on creation of the working group at next meeting.
c. MBTA & Article 2 (tune in to the planning board meeting next Wednesday); Chair
encouraged members to be prepared to decide on a statement on Article 2.
d. DB suggested partnering with the library to try and offer free or discounted
tickets to the Museum of African American History in the future -
https://www.brooklinema.gov/DocumentCenter/View/54112/February-2025-T
A-Newsletter?bidId=
2. Fair Housing Update
a. The group discussed a recent fair housing study conducted in the Metro West
region, which found evidence of discrimination in 30% of cases tested for race and
economics. MS explained that the study revealed disparate treatment of protected
classes by property managers and real estate agents. MS is advocating for
continued tracking of issues of fair housing and seeks funding from Town budget
for continued fair housing testing. The committee also emphasized the need for the
LHRC to stay informed on housing issues and to develop a practical way to stay
informed.
b. SM - With the dismantling of the Federal Government , impact on HUD and
vouchers, there's uncertainty for landlords and gives landlords another reason to
discriminate. A huge economic impact for LexHab and expect housing subsidies to
be impacted. SM to send general training information on housing. The Town is
doing a housing needs study - SM to share what’s been done. LexHAB hopes Town
Meeting with dispose of property at 116 Vine Street (Article23) which is protected
1625 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE • LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02420
for 100% affordable housing. The 116 Vine Street propoerty has been a work in
progress for 16 years. Lexab, being a small organization, often develops smaller
properties. However, pushing for smaller developments would make it more
expensive due to the approval process and the need for more space per unit. The
committee agreed on writing a letter in support of Article 23, which deals with
affordable housing, for the annual town meeting in 2025.
c. PT - people are at a point where they need emergency financial resources. It is an
issue most often impacting renters. Lifelong residents searching for more
affordability with housing. In the past, Human Services received as many as 7-10
calls a week seeking help with housing in Lexington. Needed a housing case
manager. CASA project, similar services, but virtual and not budgeting.
Key supports that are helpful - people use the argument that people with affordable
housing are expensive to support - research very strongly shows that the best
protector against future homelessness and housing insecurity is AFFORDABLE
HOUSING. “You cannot budget your way out of poverty.”- SM
3. Introduction to Senior Services, Kelsey Rollins
1625 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE • LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02420