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HCA nears challenge to raise $15k by Oct. 15

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HCA walk 2023

UPDATED Sept. 28: The following announcement and plea is from Erica Schwarz, executive director of the Housing Corporation of Arlington (HCA).

A generous Arlington supporter has challenged HCA to raise $15,000 by Oct. 15 for our Homelessness Prevention Program.

Please give today to double the value of your gift
and ensure we secure
a full $30,000 for this program.

              An update reported: "We need to raise the final $3,000 to get a full match for this important program."

Save the date for HCA's annual meeting on Oct 12
  • We soon expect to receive zoning approval for our 43-unit highly energy-efficient development at 10 Sunnyside Ave.  
  • Several HCA tenant leaders are now working with HCA staff to plan the first-ever HCA Tenant Council meeting.
  • We helped HCA residents give feedback during the Town’s MBTA Communities process.
  • We supported our tenants and other Arlington residents in getting jobs, accessing needed social services, and finding stable housing. 
But many of our Arlington neighbors continue to struggle in the current economy.
 
Grants from the Homelessness Prevention Program (HPP) cover rent, security deposit, or moving expenses to help Arlington residents remain stable and housed. Before COVID, HCA annually made grants totaling less than $40,000 for 12 to 15 families. Since COVID, the number of families needing help has skyrocketed and not subsided.
 
Over the last 12 months, HCA made grants to 53 households, totaling just over $100,000. We expect to see a similar need in the next 12 months. Will you contribute and help us meet the need?
 
If we raise $15,000 for HPP by Oct. 15, a local supporter will match it dollar for dollar.

Please give now to double your gift and help us raise a total of $30,000 that will directly support Arlington families.
 
100% of your gift will become grants that will allow local residents to stabilize their living situations after unexpected job loss, health crises, or other hardships.
 
Your donation will support Arlington residents like Jamille.

Jamille urgently needed to leave an unsafe marriage but didn’t have money to cover the deposit for a safe, new apartment. She made an appointment with Renea, who runs HCA’s Homelessness Prevention Program. HCA provided Jamille with a grant that covered her first and last month’s rent — so she was able to sign a lease for her new Arlington apartment. 

“Before my meeting at HCA, I was depressed and didn’t know what to do. But after I left the HCA office, I felt so confident.” 
- Jamille, Homelessness Prevention Program grant recipient
Today, Jamille is stable in her home. And as an extension of the Homelessness Prevention Program, HCA continues to help Jamille. She has a progressive illness and can no longer work full time, so HCA is helping her sign up for benefits to help cover expenses now that she has less income. Jamille is also on HCA's growing wait list --- maybe someday she'll become one our tenants in a permanently affordable apartment.
 
Erica Schwarz                                                     Tom Nee
Executive Director                                               President
 
 

 

May 8, 2023: ZBA weighed 10 Sunnyside Ave. project in May 

 

This opinion column was published Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023, and updated Sept. 28.

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