District 7 candidates debate at Islamic Society Ctr.

In a debate last week, both candidates in the race for the District 7 City Council seat agreed to push the city to require deeper affordability on new housing developments, to update the Roxbury Strategic Master Plan and make the body that oversees it more democratic, and to push for greater transparency for development projects on public land.

Author: Lauren MillerDistrict 7 candidate Kim Janey. (below) Artist Napoleon Jones Henderson listens to Faulk and Janey debate.

Author: Lauren MillerRufus Faulk gives opening remarks during the District 7 debate.

Housing issues dominated the sole debate scheduled for the District 7 race. Held last Friday at the Islamic Society of Boston Cultural Center, the event was co-sponsored by Reclaim Roxbury, Alternatives for Community and Environment, and Neighbors for Neighbors.

The questions for the candidates were preceded by statements from Roxbury residents.

“I worry that with the developments coming into Roxbury and the rising rents, I’ll be priced out,” said Amanda Govan, before the two candidates were asked whether they would sign onto a letter calling on the Boston Planning and Development Agency to require income guidelines for affordable units built in Roxbury to be capped at 30 percent of the HUD-designated area median income, which would mean $31,000 for a family of four. Currently, units designated as affordable in Roxbury can be sold to people making as much as 120 percent of the AMI, which comes to $124,100 for a family of four.

“I share some of the same apprehensions and anxieties,” said candidate Rufus Faulk, questioning whether his 3-year-old daughter would be able to afford to stay in Roxbury. “Signing onto that letter would be a priority from day one.”

Author: Lauren MillerYusufi Vali, executive director of Islamic Society of Boston Cultural Center.

Candidate Kim Janey noted that two-thirds of District 7 residents earn $55,000 or less per year.

“That is the reason people can’t afford rents,” she said, noting that average rents in Boston are $2,000 a month. Janey added, however, that she supports more moderately-affordable housing as well.

Janey said she would support a more democratic Roxbury Strategic Master Plan Oversight Committee, advocating for the group to have veto power over development projects.

“I have seen the frustration of community members who come out to the meetings and are not heard,” she said.

Faulk, too, said he would support strengthening the oversight committee. He also noted his opposition to the 300-unit apartment complex proposed for 45 Townsend Street in Roxbury, though that project is by a private developer and not in the RSMPOC’s purview.

Faulk seized the opportunity to get in a dig at Janey, who has received some campaign contributions from local black developers, including John B. Cruz and Lisa Guscott.

“I am not taking money from developers, because I believe you have to be independent,” he said.

The focus on housing reflected the organizations sponsoring the debate and the prevailing concern in Boston’s black community that rents and housing costs are too high and that many in the community can no longer afford to live in the city.

Author: Lauren MillerFormer City Councilor Chuck Turner chats during a warm-up exercise.

Audience questions

Audience questions covered a wider range of topics, including education, employment and campaign funding sources.

When asked what they would do to provide adequate resources to public schools in District 7, Janey cited her work as a policy director for Massachusetts Advocates for Children and said she would advocate for more students being in rigorous advanced work classes that help propel them toward attending exam schools, and would work to bring more black and Latino teachers into the system.

“That’s what I’ve been doing and that’s what I’ll continue to do as the next district councilor for District 7,” she said.

Faulk rebutted Janey’s response, claiming that the quality of education in District 7 has been on the decline for the last 20 years, although BPS data do not support this claim.

Author: Lauren MillerAudience members at the Islamic Cultural Center of Boston.

“You can’t claim to be a leader in education policy and yet the quality of our schools has been on the decline,” he said.

When asked how the candidates would ensure how district schools do not lose funding to charter schools, Faulk said he would work to make sure the state budget fully funds Boston schools.

Janey cited her record opposing Question 2, which would have raised the cap on charter schools, and advocating for BPS funding.

Asked how she would ensure there’s funding for youth summer jobs, Janey said she would make such jobs a priority and also pressure locally-based corporations to provide summer and year-round jobs.

Faulk said his first job was through the city’s former red shirt summer jobs programs. He said he would conduct an assessment to find out what the actual demand is for summer jobs.

Asked what she would do to make sure District 7 residents have access to good-paying jobs, Janey cited the importance of raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour through the Fair Share Amendment ballot question, and emphasized the importance of supporting local businesses.

“They employ us,” she said.

Faulk cited his solidarity with Northeastern University cafeteria workers, then took another dig at Janey, claiming that the university is supporting her campaign, though he offered no proof — and universities, as nonprofit entities, are not permitted to make political contributions under federal law.

Author: Lauren MillerJoshua McFarlane and Liz Miranda.

Campaign finance

The final question from an audience member was, “Have you received money from either developers and contractors looking to build in Roxbury?” The question seemed aimed at Janey, who has been targeted by opponents circulating an anonymous letter pointing out that her campaign has received donations from several developers.

“The short answer is no,” said Rufus Faulk. “I’m not going to be bought off by people who are trying to displace us from our homes. My campaign is grassroots. Community-driven.”

He said he has stood against the Rio Grande project, a residential tower proposal for Dudley Square by a black-led development team.

Faulk, who reported $1,175.37 in his campaign account as of the Oct. 15 filing deadline, has received far fewer donations than Janey, who reported a balance of $20,185.26. Janey acknowledged that donors included those involved in construction and real estate, but noted that they accounted for less than 5 percent of the funding she has raised, and that the developers are of the community.

“That less-than-five-percent [of donations] have been from black business owners from our community,” she told the audience. “We talk about wanting affordable housing. Who builds that? Cruz Construction. They create jobs and employ people who look like us in our community. So I’m proud to have the support of Cruz.”

Janey garnered 1,534 votes in the Sept. 26 preliminary, besting a field of 12 candidates. Faulk had 719 votes. The two will appear on the Nov. 7 ballot to replace outgoing District 7 Councilor Tito Jackson, who is challenging Mayor Martin Walsh.