Improving the Oversight & Efficiency of Local Housing Authorities

Governor Deval Patrick filed legislation that will professionalize, modernize and regionalize the operations and financial management of the Commonwealth’s housing authorities.  The proposals will change the governance structure of the housing authority system in order to protect the safety net that public housing provides for the Commonwealth’s most vulnerable families, seniors and persons with disabilities and builds on the Administration’s unprecedented commitment to public housing.

 “This bill will simplify and professionalize our public housing system, improving transparency and accountability,” said Governor Patrick.  “We owe the residents and the public no less.”

Key Elements of the Legislation:

• The legislation consolidates the state’s 240 housing authorities into six regional housing authorities and builds on the steps the Patrick-Murray Administration has taken to increase transparency, accountability, performance, efficiency, innovation and cost savings in the state’s public housing system.
• The six regional housing authorities will take over ownership, and fiscal and operational management of all public housing in the Commonwealth.
• Under the reformed system, each regional housing authority will consist of one executive director, a governing board, and central and regional management staff and local site managers.

Maintaining and strengthening the state’s public housing system is part of the Patrick-Murray Administration’s comprehensive effort to provide quality housing to everyone in the Commonwealth.

This includes maintaining the nation’s strongest emergency housing safety net while increasing investments in homelessness prevention and permanent housing solutions, and creating new housing in areas near public transportation that is attractive and accessible to families and individuals. 

It also furthers the Patrick-Murray Administration’s goal of ensuring that municipalities have the ability to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of local services through regionalization. 

Read More:

• Press Release
• Legislation & Filing Letter

Comments

[Aixa Torres]

I believe and agree with Governor Deval Patrick filed legislation that will professionalize, modernize and regionalize the operations and financial management of the Commonwealth’s housing authorities.The proposals will change the governance structure of the housing authority system in order to protect the safety net that public housing provides for the Commonwealth’s most vulnerable families, seniors and persons with disabilities and builds on the Administration’s unprecedented commitment to public housing. I know that the Governors ideas come from a long observation of the Housing Auth. I believe that Tenants/applicants/Elders and Disabled will be happy and feel that were not for them we would not positions and at the end of the day they want to be dignafied persons. I have read Governor Devall new Direction with Housing Authorities and the proffessionalism required to place emphasis on our Tenants and thier Housing and cutbacks for all the excessive spending and overnight out of Town/Hotel expenses for very one other than Manager's and Maintenace staff which is the backbone of Housing.

I also would recommend the opportunity for all Housing Authority staff to be invitated to an open discussion and ideas and input of all Dedicated Housing Staff that are not commissioners or Directors the backbone of the Tenants and Applicants.