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！
अनुवादको आवश्यकता भएकाहरूले माथि दाहिनो कुनामा रहेको मेनुबाट आफ्नो भाषा चयन गर्न सक्छन्। रमाइलो गर्नुहोस्!
Special Announcement from 11-14-25
HCA has long endorsed the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act.
Please take a few minutes to help this hugely important bill pass!
TOPA is a local option to prevent displacement, preserve housing affordability, enable renters to become homeowners, and level the playing field for tenants and affordable housing purchasers.
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TOPA allows cities and towns the local option of providing tenants in multi-family buildings the right to match a third-party offer when their homes are being sold.
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Tenants can designate their rights to a non-profit or local housing authority, or partner with an affordable housing purchaser.
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TOPA is revenue neutral, does not regulate sales prices, and explicitly exempts small owners.
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As a “local option” bill–is completely optional for all cities and towns.
The Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (TOPA), An Act to guarantee a tenant’s first right of refusal (S.998/H.1544), has been scheduled for a hearing before the Joint Committee on Housing on Wednesday, Nov. 19th at 11am in Gardner Auditorium at the State House in Boston, and also online:
The TOPA Coalition Needs Our Help!
Please Submit Written Testimony, or attend the Hearing in person or virtually and Submit Oral Testimony
To encourage the Joint Committee on Housing to issue a favorable report on TOPA as soon as possible, asking Massachusetts residents to give testimony as to why this legislation is critical to them and to our state.
- Please come to the hearing or sign-up to provide oral testimony virtually or in-person HERE (to testify sign up by Monday, Nov. 17th at 5pm);
- If you are testifying on a different bill, please add your support for TOPA; and/or
- Draft written testimony to be submitted to the Committee by email to meg.ribera@masenate.gov or luke.oroark@mahouse.gov (or by mail to House Chair Richard Haggerty, Joint Committee on Housing, ATTN: Luke O’Roark, 24 Beacon St. Room 146, Boston, MA 02133.
Here is a template for written testimony, if you want to use it.
More information on the hearing can be found HERE.
Talking Points for Written or Oral Testimony:
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TOPA Works! Despite noise and scare tactics from the opposition, a decades long track record in Washington, DC shows that TOPA works to preserve housing as affordable.
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In cities and towns that choose it, helps avert displacement, preserve housing and communities as affordable.
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Provides a tool to address real estate speculation and rising rents.
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Provides a path for renters to transition to homeownership.
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TOPA is a market-based solution, is revenue neutral, and does not hinder development.
THANK YOU for your support of the TOPA Coalition and Housing Justice throughout the Commonwealth!
Please email topacoalitionsc@mlri.org with questions or visit our website www.topa4ma.org
November 2025 HCA Newsletter
| Celebration and Energy at the HCA Annual Meeting! |
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| At the Annual Meeting all parts of the HCA community gathered to focus on gratitude — for community, for growth, and for the work. Guests enjoyed live music from Arlington’s very own Mrs. Jones and a Thing Goin’ On and joined in the joyful spirit with colorful noisemakers as HCA reflected on the past year’s accomplishments.
One of the biggest moments was the celebration of HCA’s recent property acquisition of 59 apartments at 840-846 Mass Ave & 17 Newman Way, a major step toward expanding affordable housing opportunities in Arlington. The tenants who had been fighting to save their homes spoke about their experiences to great applause and sounding of the noisemakers!
HCA also gave out two Housing Hero Awards: one to the Town of Arlington, the Town Manager and the Town Select Board and another to Arlington’s Assistant Director of Planning and Community Development, Sarah Suarez. These awards were in recognition of Sarah’s tireless efforts to expand affordable housing in Arlington, and her pursuit of funding that helped ensure the acquisition of the Mass Ave and Newman Way properties, and also in recognition of the ongoing support from the Town for this project, and the significant financial investment the Town made for this acquisition.
The Deacon Frank Mendosa Community Service Award was presented to NEAT (Neighbors Eating All Together), for sharing food, kindness, and community — ensuring every neighbor feels welcome.
Leaders in HCA’s Tenant Council shared their accomplishments of the last year, including coming to some agreements with property management on improved policies around entering units for maintenance.
We also gave special appreciation for HCA’s incredible volunteers. From helping with fundraising mailings to serving on the Homelessness Prevention Program committee, their contributions make a difference and embody the organization’s mission of community-driven change.
We also viewed the 2025 HCA slide show, and re-elected Danielle Chery, John Oliver, and Makeelia Parker to the HCA Board of Directors.
At the end of the night, we shared cake with a photo of the 10 Sunnyside Ave project on it, in recognition of the fact that this 43-unit project is about to start construction. The evening reflected what makes HCA’s community so strong: people coming together to make a difference. |
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Thanks to HCA member, HCA tenant, and artist Frank Tadley (in the photo just above, on right) for taking some of our annual meeting photos!
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New Project Community Meeting!
Join us to learn about
HCA’s proposal to build new affordable housing
at 840 Mass Ave and 17 Newman Way
Wednesday, November 12
6:00 – 7:00 pm
via Zoom:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82374183612
Or call: 1-646-931-3860 Meeting ID: 823 7418 3612
In September 2025, HCA acquired properties at 840-846 Mass Ave and 17 Newman Way in order preserve existing apartments as affordable. We are now proposing to build additional affordable housing on parts of those sites.
The meeting will include a presentation of plans by our architects at Utile, and an opportunity to ask questions and share comments.
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10 Sunnyside Has Started Construction!
We have closed on our many funding sources, and our general contractor, LD Russo, has mobilized on site and started working!
LD Russo is starting by abating asbestos in the existing former auto shop building that is still on the site. Then they will demolish that structure and start to prepare the site for our beautiful new 43-unit Passive House (highly energy efficient) building, designed by architects at Utile.
Please visit our website for more project details, and for updates as construction moves forward!
We are also working to schedule a groundbreaking date and will advertise that widely once it is set. |
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| HCA Tenants Building Their Leadership Skills
 Earlier this month, several HCA tenants came together for a weekend-long Resident Leadership Class focused on strengthening community and building collective power.
Over two days, these tenant leaders explored relationship building, tenant council recruitment, understanding tenant power, and how HCA’s housing residents can play an active role in HCA’s decision-making. The sessions combined discussion, skill-building, and hands-on activities that helped these HCA residents connect their personal experiences to larger goals for their community.
One particularly engaging activity that the tenant leaders engaged in was a power mapping exercise. They worked together to identify key stakeholders, allies, and decision-makers who influence both housing in Arlington and internal HCA processes —and strategized how tenants can use their collective voice to create change. By the end of the weekend, participants were equipped with practical tools to strengthen their tenant council and deepen resident participation across HCA. |
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You Can Help Slow Climate Change!
Share Your Input on the Town’s Net Zero Action Plan
To avoid the worse impacts of climate change, the Town of Arlington has committed to net zero greenhouse gas pollution by the year 2050.The Town’s 2021 Net Zero Action Plan (NZAP), Arlington’s roadmap to net zero, is due for its 5-year update! We’ve done a lot, and now it’s time to revisit our priorities. Join the Arlington Clean Energy Future Committee for a public forum to learn more about the NZAP update process and provide your input on action implementation.
Date: Wednesday, November 19
Location: Arlington Community / Senior Center (27 Maple St) Main Hall*
Time: 7:00-8:30pm
*Remote option available for those who cannot attend in person. If you plan to attend remotely, please register in advance for the Zoom meeting.
For more information please visit the calendar event on the Town’s website.
You can also learn more about the NZAP update process here. |
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| Where to go When Food is Tight
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| NEED SOME HOUSING HELP?
Are you behind on the rent & not sure what to do?
Do you need to move, but can’t afford the cost of moving?
Have you found a new place, but don’t have the security deposit?
HCA’s Homelessness Prevention Program is here to help!
Find more details online
Or contact Renea today to learn more and apply:
Renea Duran, Social Service Manager:
RDuran@housingcorparlington.org 781-859-5294 x7 |
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