Resident Advisory Board Discusses Redevelopment, The Future of Affordable Housing in Boston

More than 200 activists, resident leaders and BHA employees gathered recently in the Anna M. Cole Community Center in Roxbury to discuss the future of public housing in Boston, including BHA’s plans for redevelopment.

The event, which gathered policy experts, resident activists and leaders, and BHA staff, included three panels, which discussed various aspects and complexities of redeveloping Boston’s public housing developments.

In the first panel, BHA Deputy Administrator Kate Bennett, Director of Real Estate Development Joseph Bamberg, BHA resident leader Meena Carr and Trinity Financial representative Kenan Bigby discussed the process of BHA redevelopment, and the core principles the BHA brings to every redevelopment effort along with a presentation that showcased past redevelopment projects.

In the second panel, BHA resident leaders shared their experience and expertise on the process of redevelopment, and discussed how to ensure that redevelopment efforts go forward with considerable resident input.

The final panel included Greater Boston Legal Services’ Mac McCreight, who discussed the differences and similarities between the section 8 program, public housing, and the RAD program with regards to benefits and the rights of residents.

To see the presentations from the first panel, click the links below.
Introductions from Bill McGonagle, BHA Administrator
Joe Bamberg, BHA Director of Real Estate Development
Kenan Bigby, Trinity Financial
Meena Carr, BHA Resident Leader