The Natick Housing Authority (NHA) provides, maintains and manages affordable subsidized rental housing for low-income elderly persons and families. It was established in 1948, and operates under Chapter 121B Section 3 of the Massachusetts General Laws.

The NHA is headed by a five-member Board and an Executive Director. The Board is responsible for general oversight, and for ensuring that the organization meets the needs of its tenants and fulfills the requirements of the various State agencies under whose rules and regulations it operates. The Board also hires the Executive Director, who is responsible for day-to-day operations and supervision of the maintenance staff and clerical employees. He is also responsible for approving all purchases, making in-lieu-of-taxes payments to the Town, and keeping all records and filing all reports mandated by the State.

Four of the five Board members are elected, one each year, by voters in the annual Natick Town election. The fifth member is appointed by the Governor. All serve five-year terms, and the Executive Director has a five-year contract.

The NHA manages 412 units in sixteen locations, including Cedar Gardens, Coolidge Gardens, Wm Coolidge House, Forest Green, West Hill Park and a number of other scattered sites. In addition, the Authority oversees over 100 ‘mobile’ tenant vouchers (Section 8, MRVP and AHVP) which allow low-income and disabled residents to live in properties not owned and managed by the NHA.

The Authority’s annual budget is approximately $2.1 Million, and it attempts to be essentially revenue-neutral. $1.7 Million of its income is derived from rents, and the remaining $400 Thousand comes from a Federal subsidy (Program 4001). The Authority receives no Natick taxpayer funds.

VOTE FOR ERICA BALL FOR NATICK HOUSING AUTHORITY on TUESDAY, MARCH 30, 2010.