How many Puerto Ricans live in Holyoke?
Puerto Ricans in Holyoke
Among of the concerns frequently cited among both the greater Holyoke Puerto Rican communities and formal surveys from the Valley's nonprofits was a profound lack of representation within the ranks of city government. By 1980 the community represented nearly 15% of the city's population, but total representation from all minority groups in Holyoke city government accounted for less than 4% of all municipal employees. In time a commitment was made by the city with the Department of Housing and Urban Development to raise this number to at least 10% by the end of 1982.[53] However this voluntary compliance in affirmative action did not address the community's needs specifically, nor its lack of leadership.