HCA Newsletter

During the tour, HCA staff, board members, and tenants welcomed State Representative Sean Garballey, Representative Dave Rogers’ Legislative Aide, George Armstrong, Town Manager Jim Feeney, Director and Assistant Director of Planning and Community Development, Claire Ricker and Sarah Suarez, Arlington CDBG Administrator Mary Muszinsky, and Arlington Information Officer, Joan Roman.

HCA President Neal Mongold, HCA Executive Director Erica Schwarz, and tenants Gloria Mendez and Frank Tadley all shared a few words. Erica also read a short statement from tenant and HCA Board member Makeelia Parker, who couldn’t attend the tour. Each tenant noted how having affordable housing was so important for them and for the community at large.

Then the group was invited to peek into both Gloria and Frank’s apartments, to see the beautiful and comfortable affordable homes that CDBG helped make possible.

Thanks to the Town and to our elected officials, all of whom support HCA, and help ensure that important funding programs like CDBG remain available to support affordable housing!

Below are photos in tenants’ light-filled apartments: left: Tenant Gloria Mendez; right: Former HCA Board Member and HCA Tenant Frank Tadley, with current Board Member Elena Arrendol

After nearly 17 years on the HCA Board, Jack Cooper is leaving that role, as he and his wife are moving out of Arlington to downsize during retirement.

Jack brought a positive, can-do attitude to our conversations. He also brought a lot of insight, having served as the Executive Director of the Mass Union for Public Housing Tenants for 37 years. We will miss his deep knowledge of tenant services and housing subsidies, and his compassion and commitment to this work. Most recently, Jack served on HCA’s Strategic Planning Committee, where our priorities were on property asset management and fundraising in order to grow our work. Through that committee alone, Jack’s contributions will continue to serve us in very tangible ways, even as he moves on.

Thank you, Jack for all of the wisdom, energy, and encouragement that you contributed during your years of involvement with HCA. We wish you all the best in this next era of your life!

Luca Cassano’s 11-month AmeriCorp position as HCA’s Civic Engagement Coordinator is ending! Luca’s last day with HCA will be on April 12th. The staff, board, and the many tenants that Luca worked with will sorely miss him!

During his time here, Luca recruited tenant leaders to form the HCA Tenant Council Steering Committee. Over many meetings, he supported that group and the other eventual Tenant Council participants in developing the Tenant Council goals, and starting to develop the Tenant Council structure and overall agenda.

Luca also coordinated HCA’s Thanksgiving and Christmas meals, put out special newsletters just for HCA tenants, compiled the results of the HCA Tenant Satisfaction Survey and much more. He also brought joy and warmth to the office atmosphere.

After spending time in Italy with family, Luca will be moving to Chicago. We wish him the best in all of his future endeavors and hope that he continues to contribute his skills to the community development field.

Luca will be followed in this Civic Engagement Coordinator posi9tion by another AmeriCorp Member, Jackson Hamilton, who starts in April. Stay tuned to learn more about him in next month’s newsletter!

Any Arlington resident is invited to apply to join the 15-person Arlington Master Plan Advisory Committee (the “AMPUp” Committee). You don’t need experience in town planning to apply! HCA encourages tenants to apply, or anyone who has a special interest, experience, or knowledge of affordable housing. The committee will meet about once a month between spring 2024 and December 2025.

The application for the AMPUp Advisory Committee is open until April 14th.  Apply here: https://forms.gle/Z6de87Bq1wfQsjwu5

If you need help completing the application, contact Luca: LCassano@housingcorparlington.org.

To learn more, click here to watch a recording of the Feb 29th Master Planning Update Webinar

Learn more about the Town’s Master Planning process: Master Plan | Town of Arlington (arlingtonma.gov)

Learn about 10 Sunnyside Ave on our website