Change is taking place at the Arlington Housing Authority, the state agency that operates several housing-assistance programs low-income people in town. Franklin W. Hurd Jr. is retiring as executive director, and John Griffin began work in the position Oct. 1.

 

Hurd called his tenure, since July 1994, "personally and professionally a special and rewarding experience. Helping those in need has been something that I have focused on since the 1970s after graduating from college. But as someone once said about life, 'it isn’t a dress rehearsal'."

 

Hurd looked back over his 13-plus years with pride. As to improvements, he cited overall upgrades to facilities, information technology and security have improved facilities, the way the AHA does business and its offerings to residents.

 

He continues in the position until Oct. 26.

He ticked off this list of recent pluses. The AHA has:

• Purchased a condominium to be added to our family portfolio;
• Received funding for a major kitchen and bathroom upgrade in Menotomy Manor, which will include the addition of three new affordable-family units and modifications to provide 10 handicap-accessible family units in that development; and
• Received $250,000 to initiate the design of a new eight-unit building at Chestnut Manor to be used to provide affordable housing for special-needs persons, four of whom will be in a group home.   

Have there been obstacles over the years?

"Like any other job or business, there are always frustrations that present challenges. Probably the biggest obstacles encountered were those that deal with process and regulations rather than operations."
 
Asked this summer what he hoped to see in a successor, Hurd answered recently: "Dedication to the AHA, its tenants and programs, with a goal toward increasing the number of affordable-housing units in Arlington to meet Arlington’s future affordable-housing needs."

 

Asked why he is retiring, Hurd said, "I have always had the desire to travel, to see new places, and to meet new people. By the late 1980s, I achieved one of my goals by having traveled to all 50 states. There are many that I would like to return to, and will over the next few years.

 

"My wife and I plan to drive across country next summer, take a cruise to Alaska and drive back via a different route. Such trips are difficult and often impossible to arrange while working. We would like to explore more of this country, as well as others in Europe during our retirements.

"Additionally, we built a home in Florida three years ago, and we would like to enjoy it more during the winter months."