Housing Authority Changes In Massachusetts
Governor Deval Patrick plans to streamline the state’s public housing system by eliminating 240 local public housing authorities, and replacing them with six regional agencies aimed at ridding to system of corruption.
Patrick is scheduled to unveil the changes to the system that shelters 300,000 low-income and elderly residents today.
The proposal would consolidate public housing management, including budgeting, planning and administrative functions into six central offices, while leaving managers and maintenance workers at local housing authorities.
New Bedford Housing authority director Steve Beaureguard disagrees with the Governor’s proposal.
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The Governor added that the overhaul will professionalize the public housing system, improve transparency and accountability. The system has been plagued with corruption, including one local housing authority head who made $360,000 annually.
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