Governor Patrick Signs Legislation to Improve Oversight, Efficiency of Local Housing Authorities - August 6, 2014

Bill Increases Tenant Involvement, Strengthens the Commonwealth's Public Housing System

BOSTON – Wednesday, August 6, 2014 – Governor Deval Patrick today signed H.4374, “An Act Relative to Local Housing Authorities,” which will professionalize and modernize the operations and financial management of the Commonwealth’s housing authorities. Building on the Patrick Administration’s unprecedented commitment to public housing, the legislation will strengthen the governance structure of the housing authority system in order to protect the safety net that public housing provides for the Commonwealth’s most vulnerable families, seniors and persons with disabilities.

“Our state’s public housing infrastructure depends on the effectiveness and efficiency of our local housing authorities,” said Governor Patrick. “Through this new legislation, we will hold these housing authorities to the highest standards to better serve our residents.”

The legislation significantly increases the transparency among Local Housing Authorities (LHAs), provides the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) with the tools necessary to monitor LHAs operations and hold them accountable, increases efficiencies and economies of scale for delivery of services to tenants, increases staffing and assistance in the field and incentivizes LHAs to creative innovative practices to improve the lives of residents.

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