On this page we share HCA’s most recent monthly newsletter.
Those who need translation can select their language from the menu on the upper right. Enjoy!
Sa a pèmèt moun ki bezwen tradiksyon li nan pwòp lang yo lè yo chwazi lang yo nan meni ki anlè dwat. Jwi!
Esto permite a quienes necesitan traducción leerlo en su propio idioma seleccionando su idioma en el menú en la esquina superior derecha. ¡Disfrutar!
这样，那些需要翻译的人就可以通过从右上角的菜单中选择自己的语言来以自己的语言阅读。享受！
May 2024 Newsletter
| THANK YOU!
WE EXCEEDED THE MATCH! |
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An Arlington couple challenged HCA to raise $15,000 by May 15th in order to get a 100% match for our Homelessness Prevention Program (HPP).
With several days left to go, we have exceeded the match! As today, we have raised 19,584. THANK YOU for giving!
Those funds and the $15,000 match will go directly to provide Arlington families with funds to support back rent, or security deposit or moving expenses, for a new affordable apartment. It’s a vital lifeline to help families get through a difficult time and remain stable and housed.
The demand for this program is up by 30% over the last year, so these donations are essential. HCA expects to serve over 50 Arlington families in 2024 with these grants — families who are at risk of losing their housing and have no other options in this housing market.
If you didn’t get a chance to give yet, you can still support the Homelessness Prevention Program or HCA’s general mission by making a donation today!
Arlington has long been the kind of place where neighbors look out for each other. Thank you for helping out.
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 Welcome, Jackson!
Last month we said farewell to Luca, HCA’s outgoing Civic Engagement Coordinator. This month we welcome Jackson Hamilton, HCA’s new Civic Engagement Coordinator. Like Luca, Jackson comes to HCA under the LISC AmeriCorp program.
Jackson brings experience in leadership and teambuilding, having captained his college cross country and track teams for three years while studying sociology at St. Lawrence University. He also brings communication skills, developed during his time interning with Boulder (CO) City Council member Junie Joseph. Jackson has a passion for social equity and justice and is ready to support the needs and interests of HCA’s tenants and Arlington at large.
Jackson has already jumped into the work, staffing the Tenant Council Steering Committee, made up of tenant leaders. Together they are supporting the Tenant Council, whose members have identified the following organizational purpuse:
- Increase communication between tenants and create a culture that helps build community
- Address problems and issues so life at HCA can be better
- Create a safe, family-friendly space for tenants to find resources and opportunities to volunteer
- Work to expand and grow the voice for tenants at HCA
Jackson is also supporting a range of other volunteer and civic engagement efforts. We are already appreciating the energy, thoughtfulness, and commitment to the work that Jackson has brought to HCA. If you have questions or want to get involved, you can reach him at JHamilton@HousingCorpArlington.org or 781-859-5294 x6. |
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| Our All-Electric Modular ADU Was Delivered! |
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Top three photos credit to Lucas Pinto
Photo of modules in factory before delivery thanks to Reframe Systems
Bottom two rows, photo credit to Frank TadleyOn a chilly day in late April, HCA’s Board, Staff, Real Estate Committee members and some Dorothy Road neighbors gathered to watch Reframe Systems deliver and place the modular accessory dwelling unit on our property on Dorothy Road! We could not make this a public event for safety reasons, but we’re excited to share the news.HCA typically doesn’t development affordable housing one unit at a time — but this unit is special.
- It takes advantage of Arlington’s Accessory Dwelling Unit ordinance — we placed this home behind one of HCA’s existing affordable 2-family homes.
- It’s Arlington’s first fully solar-powered affordable home — in fact, it’s so energy efficient and “green” that it will be Passive House certified.
- It is a high-quality modular home that was built in a Massachusetts micro-factory, with some robot labor that helps to increase efficiency and bring down cost.
Not only that, HCA is Reframe System’s first customer for this innovative housing product. Pretty cool!
Reframe Systems is now working to complete the unit on site. Stay tuned for an announcement of a Ribbon cutting in coming weeks. The tenant for the home will be selected by lottery. The lottery marketing process will start once we have approval from the state on our marketing plan.You can follow the progress of the ADU development on our website. If you would like direct notice when the Dorothy Road lottery application becomes available, contact Erica: ESchwarz@HousingCorpArlington.org or 781-859-5294 x1.
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21ST ANNUAL
WALK FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING!Sunday, May 19, 2024
Jason Russel House
12 – 2 pmFree event! All are welcome!
Music, Food, Games, Raffle,
Housing Advocacy Opportunities
and a 1-mile Community Walk down Mass Ave!
Including:
JP Honk Band & Stiltwalker Sir Danny Drake
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~ All walkers get a swag bag, event t-shirt
and 1 free raffle ticket, for prizes from local businesses! ~
Bring your wallet…
You can buy more raffle tickets at the event!
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LEARN MORE:
www.housingcorparlington.org/walk
Thank you to our Sponsors
Heroes:
Brookline Bank
Cambridge Savings Bank
Champions:
East Cambridge Savings Bank
Leader Bank
Allies:
Bald Hill Builders
Calvary Church
Casner & Edwards
Eagle Bank
Eastern Bank
KJP Partners
Merchants Capital
Reframe Systems
Vibrant Arlington
Watertown Savings Bank
Winchester Savings Bank
Supporters:
Arlex Oil Company
GZA Environmental
McDonald Contracting
Peabody Properties
Workbar Arlington
Friends:
Belmont Printing
Steven and Mary DeCourcey
St. John’s Episcopal Church
Summer Federal LLC
Zen Ren Chuan Martial Arts
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Join HCA
for
MACDC Lobby Day HCA will visit the Boston statehouse for the Massachusetts Association of Community Development Corporations (MACDC) Lobby Day!
We will talk to our legislators about bills that support housing affordability and other important community development goals. Plus, we will meet people from across the state who are involved with groups like HCA. It’s a fun, important day!
Monday, May 13th
9 am – 3 pm
Boston Statehouse
(We will coordinate transportation!)
If you’ve never been to the statehouse before or never talked to an elected official — that’s no problem. Join our group!
To RSVP or learn more, contact Erica:
ESchwarz@housingcorparlington.org
781-859-5294 x1 |
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May is Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month  
Every few months, HCA is sharing information that helps to educate us on our diverse community. May is Asian & Pacific American Heritage Month, so we are honoring and learning about three influential Asian Americans.
Kamala Harris
Kamala Harris is both Asian and African American, as her father was Jamaican-American and her mother was an Indian immigrant to the US. Harris attended Howard University, a prominent HBCU, and after completing law school she began her career in California’s state government. Kamala Harris has always been a trailblazer in her career, running campaigns and finding success despite always being an underdog. In 2004, she became the first person of color to become the district attorney of San Francisco. In 2011, she was sworn in as California’s new Attorney General.
She became the first women, the first Black person, and the first South Asian person to hold that position, which she held until 2016, when she won an election to become a US Senator. Then, in 2020, she again became the first women, the first Black person, and the first South Asian person to be elected as Vice President of the United States. She once said, ““I believe our country wants and needs some leadership that provides a vision of the country in which everyone could see themselves”.
Brue Lee
Born in San Francisco in 1940 to parents who had immigrated from Hong Kong, Bruce Lee appeared in his first movie at the age of 9. Lee popularized martial arts movies in America during the 1960’s, but more importantly, he changed the way that Asian characters were portrayed in movies and in the Media; many people cite Bruce Lee as the first BIPOC actor they have ever seen as a lead role in a Hollywood movie. Lee is credited with destigmatizing Asian culture in America, such as defying and ultimately changing stereotypes of Asian men in popular culture, and he also opened the door for other actors of Asian descent to get on the big screen. Kung Fu and other martial arts exploded in popularity during the height of Lee’s career, kickstarting a nationwide trend. Lee has been credited with inspiring the formation of the UFC, and inspiring Jackie Chan, comic writer Stan Lee, Arnold Schwarzanegger, Wu-Tang Clan, and countless others in popular culture.
Yo-Yo Ma
Yo-Yo Ma was born in 1955 to Chinese parents. He was a child prodigy who began playing music at 3 and performing music at the age of 4. At that time, he played the drums, the violin, the piano, and, of course, the cello. Yo-Yo Ma has generated a lot of media attention around the cello and classical music as a whole,but has also recorded songs across a multitude of genres. His tours and albums are always in demand, and he draws large crowds wherever he goes. Throughout his career, Yo-Yo Ma has used his influence to continually advocate for social justice for Chinese-Americans and many other marginalized groups. He has had success in both his music and his social advocacy, having received 19 Grammy awards, the UN’s Messenger of Peace, a Presidential Medal of Freedom, and was named to Times’ list of 100 Most Influential People.
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