Welcome To The "Director's Corner"

Firstly, Welcome to the new Lynn Housing Authority & Neighborhood Development (LHAND) website. I hope that you will find it helpful and informative.

Please check the site frequently as it continues to grow and change to include the latest housing opportunities, grant and loan programs, news, and events offered by the LHAND. 

 

Dear Friends,

Another busy holiday season has passed and with the New Year we begin to prioritize changes and improvements for both ourselves and our agency.  We at the Housing Authority are also recommitted to improving our already strong delivery of services to our tenants, property owners and to neighbors throughout the city.  The challenge for 2008 is great and we are excited about the direction our agency, in partnership with the city, state and federal government are headed. 

 A special thank you to the sponsors, particularly our major sponsor, Willow Labs, owned by Dr. Brian Strasnick, and the employees who worked tirelessly to make our Scholarship Golf Tournament one of the most successful ever.  The Housing Authority looks forward to the spring when we can award hard working high school seniors from our city with scholarship money to assist them in their educational dream.

With the help of Ward 6 Councilor Peter Capano and the South Street neighbors, the Housing Authority and Lynn Community Development Housing Corporation were able to spruce up the land from Commercial Street to Bennett Street.  It was nice to see a partnership between the city, neighborhood and LHAND/LCDHC come together to clean an area that has long been neglected.

One highlight was the celebration of the 40th anniversary of Wall Plaza.  Mayor Chip Clancy, Senator McGee, Representatives Fennell and Walsh, City Councilors Loretta Cuffe-O’Donnell, Paula Mackin, Tim Phelan and Paul Crowley were on hand along with many members of the Wall family to commemorate the legacy of the late M. Henry Wall, a former mayor who was committed to helping the less fortunate of our city.

Also as we move forward, look for the progress in the Washington Street Gateway project with our city partners and the Lynn Community Development Housing Corporation.  Continued meetings with the neighbors and local businesses will be helpful with the planning process.  Stay tuned and join us for the next meeting.

It was fun and satisfying for our staff to host various holiday celebrations at our senior sites.  For the children of Curwin, a great party was held at the Lynn Sports Center.  The party, hosted by the Crowley family, Barry Calvani of Cal’s News and Steve Rima of McDonald’s on the Lynnway, was a treat for the children as they walked away with armloads of presents.

The Housing Authority’s own holiday party was attended by many staff, both past and present, along with City Councilors Paula Mackin, Peter Capano, Paul Crowley, and Loretta Cuffe-O’Donnell and State Representative Steve Walsh also stopped by to give his greeting.

 A special Happy New Year to outgoing City Councilor Loretta Cuffe-O’Donnell for being a friend and advisor to Lynn Housing Authority and Neighborhood Development staff and tenants over the past year. She will be missed by many of us.

Finally, a congratulations is in order to all of the LHAND staff on the success of their cookbook fundraiser.  A special thanks to everyone who submitted recipes and to those who worked hard on selling the books.  It was another successful fundraiser for the Outreach Program, which benefits those in need throughout the city of Lynn.

May this New Year bring peace, health and happiness to all of our friends.

Sincerely,

Charles Gaeta
Executive Director