Community Action for Better Housing (CABH) incorporated in 1995 when it began to work with residents in New Bedford's south end and South Central neighborhoods. Our goals, as clearly stated in our Mission Statement, were simple and straightforward: "activities which will [improve] housing for persons of limited financial means without regard to religious affiliation [and] the promotion of better community relations."

To date, CABH has worked diligently with the City of New Bedford's community development department in purchasing abandoned and blighted properties. To date, six buildings have been purchased with three structures being renovated into affordable multifamily housing, three properties were demolished, and a 6000 square foot corner lot conveyed to the city for use as a playground at Ruth and McGurk Streets.

In late 2000, CABH purchased and began managing a 26-unit single room occupancy (SRO) apartment building at 1168 Acushnet Avenue in New Bedford's north end. Talbot Apartments, as it is (now) known as, is a fine example of state and local cooperation in conveying financially distressed property to of local community-based organization such as CABH that will work hard at preserving this as long-term affordable housing. CABH works closely with the New Bedford Housing Authority who screen tenants for the sate rental vouchers that are available for roughly two-thirds of the apartments.

Also in late 2000, with funding in early 2001 from the Community Development Agency, CABH branched into Fall River with the same intentions of rehabbing potential homeownership stock and also, if the opportunity presented itself, acquiring, rehabbing and maintaining affordable rental stock. St. Dominic Apartments is the first of many projects that we intend to undertake in Fall River.

Arlene McNamee is the Executive Director and was pivotal in establishing CABH in the beginning. Up until late 2001, Jim Malone, who labored conscientiously but on a half time basis, capably staffed CABH. In October, Craig Gaspard came on board to work in a full-time capacity. He also has a housing background, having worked most recently for the RI Coalition for the Homeless based in Providence where among his duties he provided training and technical assistance to a large statewide membership and providers working to establish permanent housing for formerly homeless individuals and families.

CABH is looking at an assortment of housing types and options in both Fall River and New Bedford. St. Dominic Apartments will be one of our main focuses as we try to reserve funding for low-income elderly who desperately need affordable, stable housing with some services that is close to medical and other necessary health services. We attempt to balance the needs of many groups including families, the elderly and special needs populations and work closely with our Board of Directors as we focus on building better housing and neighborhoods at the same time.

CABH is beginning a large renovation project in the south end of New Bedford that will create 9 new units of housing. These large triple-decker houses have long ago been abandoned are absolutely vital to the revitalization efforts of the city. CABH work with Cove Street Neighborhood Association, South First Street and the South Central neighborhood Associations in New Bedford as well as community groups in Fall River to identify, acquire, promote and rebuild housing that is affordable for many low and moderate income families and individuals.

CABH will also hear in November about an application it made this spring to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development to rehab the aforementioned St. Dominics Apartments into an 18-unit affordable elder complex.