The Lowell Housing Authority is in the Planning Phase of a Request For Proposals (RFP) for up to 10 Project-Based Housing Choice Vouchers.
Stay tuned for additional information.
Please note: This is not a notification of an applicant waiting list opening.
The Lowell Housing Authority is excited to announce we’ve hired a new Housing Technician. Joshua Aizpurua joins our team from TD Bank, and is a Lowell resident. Joshua possesses strong communication and customer service skills, and experience working in a fast-paced technology environment. He is a welcomed addition to our team, as we strive to deliver the best possible customer service to our clients. Joshua will be working at our Highland Parkway office, and will assist other departments as needed.
Joshua attends University of Massachusetts Lowell, currently pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, with a concentration in Finance and International Business. Joshua is also fluent in Spanish. He is anticipated to graduate in the Spring of 2020. Following graduation, Joshua has ambitions to continue his education towards an MBA. We look forward to working with Joshua as we move the agency forward.
In 2018, Sam Talbot, LHA’s UPCS Inspector, qualified to run the Boston Marathon and did just that this past April. Don’t know Sam? Sam has been an avid runner since 1997, and is a strong endurance athlete. Beyond running, Sam is an active cyclist and swimmer, and has competed in several Ironman Triathalons.
This was Sam’s second time running the Boston Marathon. Sam ran the Boston Marathon in 2012, completing the Marathon in 4 hours and 2 minutes. This past year, he ran the marathon in 3 hours 18 minutes. Sam placed 744 in his age category and was 6173 overall with approximately 30,000 runners. Sam qualified to run the Boston Marathon again in 2020.
Sam sets personal goals for each race, hoping to beat his time by 37 seconds, with the ultimate goal of running the Boston Marathon in 3 hours, and to run a marathon in every state. Sam has currently participated in marathons in both Massachusetts and New York. Congratulations Sam!
The Lowell Youth Activities Program Philip L. Shea Scholarship Awards Reception is an annual presentation of academic scholarships to deserving youth living in Lowell Housing Authority properties, and pursuing two or four year college degrees. The Lowell Youth Activities Program (LYAP) has awarded upwards of $20k annually for the last 24 years.
This year’s honorees are Attorney Patricia Sullivan Talty and Dr. Francis Talty. The Talty’s are attorneys, and academics with extensive careers and commitments to community engagement. The Talty’s have dedicated their lives to education and the advancement of youth in the City of Lowell. This commitment to academic achievement had been deeply rooted in family values of both families, and their success fostered a strong desire to nurture potential, and expand academic opportunities for others. It is our honor to celebrate them at this year’s event.
We hope you can join us to make our 25th year a success!
Sponsorship Opportunities Are Available!
Purchase of a sponsored advertisement of $100 value will provide you with a ticket to the event. Additional sponsorship levels will provide 1 additional ticket for each $100 increment.
Full Page ($300.00) 6”W x 7 ½”L
Half Page ($200.00) 6”W x 3 ¾”L
Quarter Page ($100.00) 3”W x 3 ¾”L
Business Card ($25.00) 3 1/2”W x 2″L
Payment Information
To purchase a sponsored advertisement or tickets, please visit our convenient event link for electronic payment: https://tinyurl.com/y45ux2jl.
Check payments may be mailed to:
Lowell Youth Activities Program, PO Box 1103, Lowell, MA 01853
For questions, to submit your sponsored advertisement, and/or RSVP to the event, please contact [email protected]. The sponsored advertising deadline, is Saturday, June 1st, 2019.
On a cold April morning, the LHA continued its re-branding efforts when the agency unveiled its new vehicle fleet, including 7 new trucks, and two utility vehicles. Staff members representing the agency’s maintenance team orchestrated a staging of the fleet on Dummer Street at the LHA’s North Common Village property.
The process to replace aging maintenance vehicles began in 2017, which coincided with another priority to re-brand the LHA with a modern, color scheme and logo. The vehicles feature an ingot silver finish, identify maintenance work crews, and tout the agencies new slogan “A Foundation for Stability and Opportunity”.
Beyond the aesthetics, an internal vehicle assessment conducted prior to purchasing, identified efficiencies that could be achieved when substituting utility vehicles for trucks at Highland Parkway and North Common Village. Utility vehicles, provide our LHA maintenance crews greater flexibility to plow, and maintain sidewalks and other tight spaces, preventing unnecessary and often costly damage to neatly manicured landscaping.
Over the last two years, the agency has replaced 12 vehicles, and additional vehicles will be purchased in the future as the need arises. Thank you to the maintenance team and administrative staff who joined us. Thank you also to the residents who temporarily moved their vehicles to make this shoot possible!
Click here to check out the LHA’s morning motorcade!
The agency is reporting that last Wednesday was the final Board meeting for Mary Ann Maciejewski, the Lowell Housing Authority’s Assistant Executive Director, who will be retiring at the end of the month. Mary Ann held various roles within the agency during her 37-year career. She was the first Family Self-Sufficiency Director, and first woman Director of the Section 8 Program, before becoming the Chief Operating Officer of the agency in 2008. Executive Director, Gary Wallace touts the legacy of Mary Ann:
Mary Ann steered the agency, and exhibited strength particularly during agency challenges. Mary Ann will be remembered as a compassionate listener, and strong leader who developed genuine relationships with our community partners. Noteworthy, Mary Ann created the first published HUD guidebook for using force account labor, which is used as a model by other Housing Authorities. Mary Ann has been an instrument of change within the agency, helping to develop new processes, and the LHA is much stronger because of her leadership. Mary Ann will be missed by staff, community partners, and residents alike, but I will miss her the most. On behalf of the Board of Commissioners and staff, we wish Mary Ann a happy retirement.
Mary Ann will remain with the agency for one day a week in a consulting role to assist the agency with the 5-Year Plan, the demolition and disposition of scattered sites, and will serve as the LHA’s liaison for the Working Cities Initiative.
Succeeding Mary Ann, is Chief Financial Officer, Adam J. Garvey. Adam has been with the Housing Authority since 2008. Prior to joining the agency, Adam provided financial consulting services to numerous public housing authorities throughout Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Adam currently directs and oversees all functions of the Finance and Procurement Department to promote and ensure the financial health of the Authority. Adam holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and Business Administration and a Masters of Public Administration from Suffolk University. During his tenure as CFO, Adam has been a catalyst for change. He has been instrumental in maintaining the agency’s HUD High-Performer status since his hire. Adam re-organized the finance department through prudent hiring and improvements to allow for more effective and efficient financial processes, stronger internal controls and compliance. His team has offset large subsidy reductions through the implementation of a solar net metering contract, which is projected to generate new revenue of over $20M during the 20-year contract term. Wallace has full faith in Adam taking the reins:
This the perfect time for Adam to assume this role. The agency is moving to a collaborative approach to leadership, which will emphasize a collective approach to solving the affordable housing challenges of the future, through data-driven decision-making, performance measurement, and increased accountability. Adam has taken the lead, and carefully executed a number of projects that helped the agency realize savings. He has created a safety net to ensure the agency can protect the sustainability of our existing housing programs and services, and offers the LHA the flexibility to invest in new projects, which once were not possible. Through his leadership, Adam has earned the respect of staff and is deserving of this position.
Sherry Giblin, Chief Accountant and Rachel Spero, Research Analyst, will also receive promotions during the transition. Sherry will assume the role of Chief Financial Officer a Rachel Spero will take over as Chief Accountant. Sherry holds a BS in Business Administration from the University of Massachusetts Lowell. Sherry Giblin joined the agency as a staff accountant in 2014 with thirteen years of audit, tax and accounting experience from a Lowell based CPA firm. Her commitment, accuracy and attention to detail earned her a promotion to Chief Accountant in 2016.
Rachel has been with the Housing Authority since 2017, as the Authority’s Research Analyst. Prior to joining the Authority, Rachel has held various roles in state and nonprofit administration, with experience in fundraising, grant writing, financial analysis and compliance. Rachel holds a BA in Public Policy and Business from Bentley University and an MPA from Northeastern University. Rachel has assumed a diverse role with the Authority, and works closely with our Finance and Capital Planning departments to address inefficiencies, coordinate new projects, conduct financial analysis and provide grant research.
The LHA hosted its Annual Meeting last night. The agency’s Annual Meeting is a time for the LHA to report on the progress of last year’s goals, as we look forward to setting future goals for the coming year. In 2018, the LHA set goals for redevelopment, which included the approval of an application to disposition scattered sites and explore new areas for future development. In addition, the LHA vowed to design more handicap accessible units, invest in staff training, and improve our financial ratios. To date, the agency has received approval and has hired a relocation coordinator to assist residents with relocation for the disposition of scattered sites. The Authority has also established a solar net metering contract, which has realized savings for the Federal Public Housing Program and State programs. Financial scores under Chief Financial Officer, Adam Garvey’s leadership has earned a HUD financial score of 24/25. The agency also strived to increase resident and stakeholder engagement and can report that we have a strong social media presence. These goals will continue in 2019, along with Phase II of the Authority’s energy performance contract.
The agency shuffled the deck at this Annual Meeting electing a new Chairperson. Commissioner Vanna Howard, will succeed two-time Chairman Robert McMahon, who served the Authority well during his tenure. While we will miss the leadership of Chairperson McMahon, who was a strong advocate for residents and union labor, we look forward to working with Vanna Howard, who has been a dedicated LHA commissioner, and strong leader in the community. The agency also welcomed Philip L. Shea to his new role as Vice Chairperson who will replace Vice Chairperson Matt Marr. Thank you to Vice Chairman Marr for his leadership. The agency also saw the exit of long-time General Counsel, Attorney Philip Nyman, who dedicated years of service to the agency, working closely with the Authority to handle resident issues.
This Annual Meeting was bittersweet. While it was a time of celebration, we were sad that last night was the final Board meeting for Mary Ann Maciejewski, the LHA’s Assistant Executive Director, who will be retiring at the end of the month.
Mary Ann worked her way up the ranks of the agency during a 37-year career. She was the first Family Self-Sufficiency Director, and first woman director of the Section 8 Program, before becoming the Chief Operating Office of the agency. Mary Ann steered the agency always, and exhibited strength particularly during agency challenges. Noteworthy, Mary Ann created the first published HUD guidebook for using force account labor, which is used by other Housing Authorities today. Mary Ann was an instrument of change within the agency, helping to develop new processes, and the LHA is a much stronger agency due to her leadership. Mary Ann will be remembered as a compassionate listener, and strong leader who developed genuine relationships with our community partners. On behalf of the Board of Commissioners and staff, we wish Mary Ann a happy retirement. Mary Ann will be missed by staff, community partners, and residents alike.
As the cornerstone of the event, the LHA extended its appreciation and recognized the achievements of the agency’s community partners, staff, and honored residents in the Public Housing and Section 8 programs, who have thrived in our programs, or made significant contributions to improving the lives of our residents. Congratulations to all of our award winners, who believe in our mission and strive for excellence!
Annual Award Winners, 2019
Community Partners of the Year
Greater Lowell Community Foundation, Accepting the Award-Jay Linnehan
Northeast Legal Aid, Accepting the Award-Stephanie Belandis & David Brown
Greater Boston Food Bank, Accepting the Award–Michele Fisher
Residents of the Year
Brian Sparrow, Public Housing Resident of the Year
Natasha Leigh Rivera, FSS Participant for Public Housing Program
Victoria Perez, FSS Participant for Housing Choice Voucher Program
Employee of the Year
Barbara O’Connor
Citations were also presented to our residents and employee of the year by the Office of Congresswoman Lori Trahan.
Learn more about each of our deserving award recipients by downloading this year’s program book.
Last Wednesday, the LHA had the pleasure of welcoming Philip L. Shea as the newest member of the Lowell Housing Authority’s Board of Commissioners. Commissioner Shea’s roots to Lowell and the LHA run deep. Shea has ties to LHA as a former resident at 86 Lewis Street, in the Acre’s North Common Village property in the 1940s.
Commissioner Shea is a proud Lowell native with a lifetime of accomplishments. Commissioner Shea was educated in Lowell Public Schools and has an accounting degree from Bentley College. Shea holds a special distinction as the only Lowell elected official to have served in the Lowell City Council, the Massachusetts House of Representatives, and the Massachusetts State Senate. As a member of the House of Representatives Shea established a housing court, and as a Member of the Senate, sponsored legislation to help preserve state parks in Massachusetts. At the pinnacle of his career, Shea served as Chief Financial Officer under Secretary William Galvin.
Throughout his career, Shea had been instrumental in developing federal, state and local partnerships with an emphasis on revitalizing the City of Lowell. He is widely recognized for his leadership and mentoring of young public servants in their pursuit of higher education, and professional development. Commissioner Shea. For the last 25 years, Commissioner Shea has supported the Lowell Housing Authority’s nonprofit affiliate, the Lowell Youth Activities Program, Inc. Scholarship Awards, awarding upwards of $20,000 in scholarships annually to deserving low-income students living in Lowell.
During the meeting, Commissioner Shea expressed his sincere gratitude for the appointment by City Manager, Eileen Donoghue, and his appreciation for the Boards senior members and staff, who have had the pleasure of working with Shea for decades. Shea indicated that he was in a unique position as a former resident of the Acre and looks forward to working with the Board, the leadership team and staff, on behalf of residents of the Authority.
The Lowell Housing Authority is excited and grateful for the opportunity to work alongside committed supporter, Philip L. Shea. Commissioner Shea is humble, dedicated, and possesses lifetime of knowledge of the City and its residents, making him a perfectly suited partner to lead the agency into the future. Gary Wallace, LHA’s Executive Director praised Shea, commenting “It’s the perfect time for Phil Shea. Phil will be strong asset to the LHA, as the agency enters a new phase of re-branding, reorganizing, staff development, resident initiatives, and community development. We are fortunate to have Phil’s leadership, financial acumen, and his personal life experiences we know he will bring to our mission.”
The LHA is pleased to report the agency has been recently awarded a $5,000 grant from the Greater Lowell Community Foundation to provide technology support services to residents of the agency’s elderly properties. The program entitled Tech Savvy Seniors has been designed to bridge the digital divide among the LHA’s elderly population, by facilitating peer-to-peer learning, conducting more effective print and digital outreach, and increasing engagement through interactive on-site technology seminars.
Pioneered by Mr. Brian Sparrow, resident and Technology Advisor for the LHA’s City View Towers, the impetus for the concept began with LHA Tech Talk, a video tutorial series published to assist residents with their technology needs. These brief technology lessons feature instruction on navigating smartphones, including understanding storage, device management, and utilizing phone applications for convenient everyday use. Mr. Sparrow writes the video scripts and collaborates with the LHA in recording and publishing the tutorials across social platforms. The videos have become the second most viewed content across social platforms.
The LHA attributes the success of the TechTalk initiative to the peer-to-peer model for service delivery. The model helps to establish trust between Mr. Sparrow and residents through shared experiences, providing a reliable source of information that is delivered in an approachable, accessible manner. Peer-to-peer service delivery provides a unique approach to technology support and the opportunity to reach additional residents who may be reluctant to engage with programs implemented exclusively by LHA leadership.
The Tech Savvy Seniors Program will help the LHA build upon the success of TechTalk to diversify and expand services for elderly residents. Thank you to the Greater Lowell Community Foundation for your belief and support of Tech Savvy Seniors. This grant will help ensure that while the agency embraces new technology to improve processes, our elderly residents will not be left behind. Thank you also to Mr. Sparrow, who through his efforts have allowed us to provide quality technology support services for our residents. The LHA looks forward to continuing to work with Mr. Sparrow to drive technological change, increase technological aptitudes, and foster a deeper commitment to resident engagement.
Thank you to Chief Executive Assistant/Communications Director, Andrew Rocha, FSS Director Michelle Dinan, and Brian Sparrow for their collective vision in securing and implementing this creative program.
The Lowell Youth Activities Program, Inc. (LYAP) is pleased to announce that it will be hosting its 25th Annual Philip L. Shea Scholarship Awards Reception. The Lowell Youth Activities Program is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt 509(a)(1) public charity with the mission to educate, mentor and advance children within the Lowell Housing Authority’s Public Housing and Housing Choice Voucher Programs.
In most cases, it is very difficult for the families of these children to afford extracurricular activities, after-school programming and the pursuit of higher education. Through ongoing donor support, the organization is able to award over $20,000 in academic scholarships annually to high school graduates pursuing higher education. Charitable contributions are also used to fund an academic-based After-School Program, and Summer Youth Recreation Program which serves low-income youth throughout the year.
Stay tuned for additional event details and sponsorship opportunities.