THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 2021 Page 19 BAKER | FROM PAGE 10 crisis. In past years, with an annual budget of roughly $20 million, RAFT served between five and six thousand households. During this crisis, the state has already distributed about $80 million to more than 18,000 households, more than tripling its annual output. In February 2021, the state served a record 5,463 households, spending $21.1 million through the RAFT program to keep them in their homes. By comparison, in February 2020 – the month before the start of the public health emergency – the state issued $1.5 million in RAFT funds. February 2021 represents approximately a 1,300 percent increase in assistance over February 2020. During the first three weeks of March, the state distributed $23.6 million in RAFT payments to 7,445 households, putting the Commonwealth on track for another record month. Payments from those three weeks alone represent more than the entire annual RAFT budget in any fiscal year before the current fiscal year. In addition, DHCD continues to see fewer families enter and stay in the family shelter system compared to the previous year. Family shelter caseload in February 2021 was down approximately 20 percent compared to February 2020. Similar trends can be seen in the HomeBASE program, with new participants since October down between 30 percent and 60 percent each month compared to the preceding year. Moreover, while there was an initial increase in post-moratorium eviction filings in November and December, new weekly eviction filings for nonpayment of rent have declined and have remained consistently below pre-pandemic levels in calendar year 2021. Additionally, this week the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) extended its eviction moratorium through June 30, 2021. The Eviction Diversion Initiative combines financial assistance with resources for renters and landlords to avoid an eviction. The COVID Eviction Legal Help Project – a partnership with the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation, Massachusetts Law Reform Institute and the Volunteers Lawyers Project – provides free legal assistance to low-income households facing an eviction and free or low-cost assistance for low-income homeowners who live in a home with rental units. Agencies have hired nearly 130 direct service staff to increase capacity, and more than 200 lawyers have been recruited to volunteer their time and expertise. To date, more than 1,000 cases have been opened at legal aid organizations under this partnership. Additionally, with the Massachusetts Office of Public Collaboration, professional, confidential mediation services are available across the Commonwealth for tenants and landlords to solve lease or other housing issues outside of the court process. Office/Commercial Space for Lease 1. April 9 is annual National Unicorn Day; what is depicted in the seven Unicorn Tapestries on display at the Cloisters in NYC? 2. What organization’s motto and slogan are “Be prepared” and “Do a good turn daily,” respectively? 3. What was known as the Morris worm? 4. On April 10, 1955, who successfully tested a polio vaccine? 5. According to FIFA, a soccer goalie can hold onto the ball for no longer than how many seconds: six, 10 or 15? 6. How are Lady Baltimore, Betty and Pavlova similar? 7. What is the deepest tunnel in North America? 8. Which U.S. president during World War I kept a flock of sheep at the White House to keep the grass trimmed save money and support the war effort? 9. On April 11, 1868, BPOE was founded; what does BPOE stand for? 10. What are Zoomers? 11. On April 12, 1985, Space Shuttle Discovery launched – with what toy that does tricks? 12. In 1895 volleyball was invented in what Western Massachusetts city known as “The Paper City”? 13. On April 13, 1964, what African American won Best Actor for “Lilies of the Field”? 14. What is sugaring off? 15. The first floppy disks measured what diameter inches: three, five or eight? 16. On April 14, 1927, Clarence Birdseye of Gloucester, Mass., in the UK patented “Improvements in Methods of Preparing Fish Foods” to make what product? 17. The first seven pro football players known to get paid mostly played for the Allegheny Athletic Association of what state (in the 1890’s)? 18. How are Bedouin, bivvy and geodesic similar? 19. Whose first novel was serialized from spring 1836 in 19 popular issues and called “The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club”? 20. On April 15, 1452, Leonardo da Vinci was born, who painted “La Joconde” (or “La Gioconda”), which is better known as what? ANSWERS 3 Large rooms, each with walk-in storage area. Ideal for Law Office or Aerobics Studio. Like new condition. Second floor elevator direct to unit. Seperate entrances - New Baths - Large Parking Area. On MBTA Bus Route #429. Located on Route 1 South at Walnut Street. Rollerworld Plaza Rte. 1 South 425 Broadway Saugus Call Michelle at: 781-233-9507 1. “The Hunt of the Unicorn” 2. The Boy Scouts of America 3. A 1988 computer virus 4. Dr. Jonas Salk 5. Six 6. They are desserts named after women. 7. Boston’s Ted Williams Tunnel (90 feet below Boston Harbor) 8. Woodrow Wilson 9. Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks 10. They are children who appeared on the Zoom children’s entertainment series. 11. A yo-yo 12. Holyoke 13. Sidney Poitier 14. Making maple syrup into sugar 15. Eight 16. Frozen fish fingers 17. Pennsylvania 18. They are types of tents. 19. Charles Dickens’ 20. “The Mona Lisa” (Gioconda means jocund and is a pun on the feminine form of her married name, Giocondo.)
20 Publizr Home