Support the Greater Boston Interfaith Organization

by UPB Editor, December 19, 2023

To the United Parish congregation…

We are writing to let you know of an opportunity, at this year’s end, to make a tax-deductible contribution to Greater Boston Interfaith Organization. Many of you are aware that United Parish has been a member of this coalition of 59 faith-based organizations since 2021, and that we have, with participation from many of you, been part of its successful and ongoing Housing Justice Campaign focused on both public housing and affordable housing in general.

Click here to support the work of GBIO.

Here are some of GBIO’s accomplishments that your support has helped bring about:

• For Public Housing…

• $1 billion growth in the five-year capital budget for public housing

• 15% increase in the annual operating budget for public housing

• $50 million for renovations in the Mildred Hailey property in Jamaica Plain

• $2 million in funding for the Brookline Housing Authority’s renovations of a 200-unit family public housing complex at Egmont and St Paul Streets

• Passing local zoning reform with an 86% majority in Brookline Town Meeting

• Advocating for the Real Estate Transfer Fee now pending in the legislature

• Organizing support for important housing services for persons returning from incarceration

These results don’t happen without organizing power, which relies on GBIO’s hardworking staff of six organizers, along with all the volunteer work by members of GBIO’s faith-based

organizations like UP. This organizing raised awareness of housing issues by bringing together…

• 1,400 people to a major housing action at Temple Israel in June, attended by Lt Gov Kim Driscoll, Boston Mayor Wu, and many other elected officials

• 300 people to the State House last March to launch the Housing Justice Campaign, and

• 150 people to actions at the United Parish and South Boston last April

• 50 to 200 people at a time at fourteen In-District Meetings with state legislators

Our work continues, as we meet with state senators and representatives on getting these measures approved this spring by the State Legislature.

GBIO’s budget relies in part on individual contributions to its Impact Fund. We hope you will help further GBIO’s important work before the end of the year. Thank you for being a part of this essential effort in equity and social justice.

Thank you.

David R. and Connor I., GBIO Co-Liaisons