CHA has finalized discussions with Transition House,  Cambridge's domestic violence resource agency, to extend their participation in the sponsor-based program into the Public Housing Program. A new MTW activity has been created to ensure that all possible resources are available for such partnership to succeed. 

In addition CHA is extending the public comment period on clarifying language on funding approaches CHA may take under the Rental Demonstration Assistance (RAD). 

For a description of the proposed new sponsor-based program and language on funding approaches under RAD to be added to the final draft of CHA's FY 2014 MTW Annual Plan click here. The draft FY 2014 MTW Annual Plan is available for public comment until December 26, 2012 and can be accessed here. 

Written comments on these two new sections are due no later than by January 21, 2013. Comments should be submitted via email to clucey@cambridge-housing.org or via mail to CHA Central Office located at 675 Massachusetts Avenue in Cambridge, MA. 

CHA released its DRAFT Moving to Work Fiscal Year 2014 Moving to Work Plan for public comment.  The Plan serves as the Agency's primary means of communicating its adminsitrative, development, policy and financial goals for the coming fiscal year.

CHA is soliciting public comments on the Plan through December 26, 2012 at 5PM. Comments can be submitted in wiriting to Carolina Lucey at clucey@cambridge-housing or by mail to 675 Massachusetts Avenue, 2nd Floor, Cambridge, MA 02139.
CHA will also hold a public hearing on the Annual Plan at 6PM on December 11, 2012 at Manning Apartments located at 237 Franklin Street in Cambridge. 

Please click here for a copy of the DRAFT Annual Plan.

CHA Publishes DRAFT Admissions and Continued Occupancy Plan for Public Comment

The CHA central office will be operating under a "summer hours" schedule from May 29th to August 31st.  During this period, CHA will be open longer on Monday through Thursday, but will be open only a half-day each Friday.  The schedule will be as follows:

The Cambridge Housing Authority is seeking Public Housing Residents and Section 8 Participants to sit on Conference and Grievance Panels.  Training for interested individuals has been scheduled for June 25 and 26th.

What is a Conference Panel?

A Conference Panel hearing is typically utilized by individuals who have been denied emergency status, terminated from the Section 8 program, denied a hardship waiver, or denied admission into public housing after reconsideration.  The Conference Panel consists of a CHA Commissioner, a designee of the CHA Executive Director, and a CHA Resident or Section 8 Participant.  The members of the Conference Panel determine whether the CHA’s decision was in accordance with the law, HUD regulations, and CHA policies.  

What is a Grievance Panel?

A Grievance Panel hearing is available to any Public Housing resident who has a dispute with respect to the CHA’s action or failure to act in accordance with the resident’s lease or CHA rules and regulations.  Typical actions include evictions, denied transfers, incorrect rent calculations, termination from the state voucher program, and legal or other adverse actions initiated by the CHA.  The Grievance Panel consists of 2 representatives of the CHA, 2 CHA Residents or Section 8 Participants, and one impartial person.  The members of the Grievance Panel determine whether the CHA’s action or inaction was in accordance with the law, HUD regulations, and CHA policies.  

What is the time commitment?

Conference Panel Hearings take place in the morning.  Grievance Panel Hearings take place in the evening. Each scheduled hearing date usually lasts from 1- 2 hours.  

What training is provided?

Members of the panel are required to attend the Conference/Grievance Panel Training prior to participating as a panelist.  There is a training scheduled on June 25 and 26, either for 2 evenings (Group B) or one day (Group A). Once trained, panel members will be placed on a list that the CHA’s Legal Department will rotate through for each panel.  On average, an individual will be contacted once every other month to serve on a panel.

What will the training consist of?

The Conference/Grievance Training will cover the following topics:
 
•    When Housing Benefits May Be Denied or Terminated
•    Basic Elements of Due Process
•    Reviewable vs. Non-reviewable Decisions
•    Authority of the Conference/Grievance Panel
•    Conference/Grievance Panel Hearing and Decision
•    Judicial Review and Special Considerations
 

Due to system upgrades, the CHA web site content will be temporarily frozen from 4:00 PM on Thursday, April 12th to the end of the day on Friday.  This will not affect the normal operation of the web site.  However, any new announcements or updates will be posted after the upgrade process is complete.  We apologize for any inconvenience.

To:  All Residents

Re:  MARCH 2012 - RENT STATEMENTS 

Cambridge Housing Authority is experiencing problems printing
March 2012 rent statements. 

DO NOT SEND IN YOUR PAYMENTS UNTIL YOU RECEIVE THE RENT STATEMENTS.

Waiting list status information is now available.  As before, applicants can call 617-864-3020 (and follow the instructions) to ask for waiting list position numbers and other essential application information.  CHA appreciates the patience of applicants while important updates were being made to our database system.