Boston City Council Approves $7 Million ARPA Package 10-2 Amid Process Dispute

BOSTON — October 9, 2024 — Boston City Council approves $7 million in ARPA funds after tense floor debate over process. The council voted 10-2 Wednesday to accept and expend the allocation, which directs $3 million to the Acquisition Opportunity Program for affordable housing preservation, $3 million to a first-time homebuyers program targeting Boston Housing Authority residents, and $1 million to a third round of the SPACE small business grant program. Councilor Sharon Durkan, committee chair, warned that SPACE grant applicants faced a month-end deadline and that the city has $119 million in additional ARPA funds still unobligated before a December 2024 federal deadline. Councilors Edward M. Flynn and Erin J. Murphy voted no, with both citing a mayoral press conference that appeared to celebrate the allocation before the council had formally voted. The council also voted 11-1 to issue a summons to Boston Postmaster Joshua Belkunas after USPS management declined an invitation to testify about delivery failures; constituent Mitch Hilton of Mission Hill reportedly went 44 days without mail delivery this year.