HCA Newsletter

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.

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.

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.

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.

You Can Help Slow Climate Change!
Share Your Input on the Town’s Net Zero Action Plan

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.