The House We Live In

Please consider joining HCA for The House We Live In on Friday, November 12!

On Friday evening, November 12, the Diversity/Inclusion Group at First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church in Arlington is hosting a showing of the provocative, hour-long documentary The House We Live In, a film which examines the roots of housing discrimination in the US and the implications of the unequal housing practices of the past for today's issues and challenges. There will be a guided discussion following the film, and refreshments will be served. This program is free and open to the community.

To explore the history and human face of housing discrimination in the United States, the First Parish Diversity/Inclusion Group (D/I G) will screen a PBS documentary film titled The House We Live In. There will be time for discussion after the film.

This program is sponsored by the Diversity and Inclusion Group of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington, Housing Corporation of Arlington (HCA), Arlington's Diversity Task Group, and the Arlington Human Rights Commission.

Friday Evening, November 12, 7 - 8:30 PM

Parlor of First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington

630 Massachusetts Avenue, Arlington, MA 02476

Help HCA Prevent Homelessness in Arlington!

In the next few weeks, Hosunig Corp of Arlington will be sending letters out to the entire Arlington community to fundraise for HCA’s Homelessness Prevention Fund. This fund provides grants to Arlington residents experiencing an emergency housing crisis that may lead to homelessness. This year to date we helped over 35 households.

To put this mailing together, we need your help to stuff, seal and send these envelopes!

We will be working from 9 AM-5 PM from Monday, November 8th to Thursday, November 18th, Monday to Friday. We WILL be working Veteran's Day!

Please let us know what times you can come by and help out at our HCA offices! Contact Joanna at 781-316-3606 or jain@housingcorparlington.org

2010 Annual Meeting!

Please join HCA for our 2010 Annual Meeting!

Find out more about HCA's newest project in East Arlington!

The 2010 Deacon Frank Mandosa Community Service Award will be presented to Leon Cantor for his dedication and service to the Town of Arlington.

Flora Restaurant
Thursday, November 4
Registration: 7:30 AM
Program: 8:15 AM
Breakfast will be served.

Please RSVP to Jennifer Lewis-Forbes at

781-316-3451 or jlewis@housingcorparlington.org by October 22

Vote NO on 2!

This November, Massachusetts voters will choose whether or not to keep the law supplying Massachusetts’ best tool to develop affordable housing. Question 2 will decide if the state law Chapter 40B, otherwise known as the Affordable Housing Law, will be repealed.

Over the last decade, this law has been responsible for approximately 80% of the affordable homes built outside of the Commonwealth’s major cities. The law has enabled builders to create 58,000 new homes in cities, suburbs, and small towns. A repeal of the law would halt the construction of 12,000 homes in the pipeline, and all of the jobs and economic benefits they would bring.

The Affordable Housing Law sets a goal for every city and town to require at least 10% of its homes to be affordable. It encourages construction of new homes by providing a comprehensive permit and flexible zoning for developers who build affordable homes. The number of cities and towns above the 10% threshold more than doubled from 24 in 1997 to 51 today, with an additional 40 communities above 8%.

The Affordable Housing Law creates homes, greater equity among communities, and opportunities for working families. Residents in these homes work in health care, education, construction, financial services, retail, human services, and in other occupations critical to our state’s workforce. Home prices and rents remain out of reach for many and, because of the recession, many families are struggling to get by. Massachusetts needs the Affordable Housing Law today more than ever. Please VOTE NO on Question 2.

Learn more at "Affordable Housing and the Ballot Question," Rep Kaufman's October 14th Open House at 7:30 PM at the Historic Depot in Lexington!

Thank You to our Spring Clean Up Crew!

Thank you to the 25 plus volunteers who came out to clean up four

HCA properties for the spring!

Interested in other volunteer opportunities with HCA? Email Joanna at jain@housingcorparlington.org.

HCA Spring Clean Up!

Join HCA on Saturday, May 22, 2010 as we clean up some of our two-families in Arlington. We will be raking, weeding and beautifying the properties for the summer.

This is a great project for the whole family!

Please note: If the participant is under 18, they must have a responsible adult with them.

We will have coffee and doughnuts at 8:30 AM and break for lunch at noon.

Please contact Joanna at 781-316-3606 or jain@housingcorparlington.org to

RSVP and for more details.

Thank You, Arlington Community!

On April 11th, over 150 friends and neighbors came together and joined HCA for our 9th Annual Walk for Affordable Housing. Supported by dozens of local businesses, congregations and community groups, this year’s Walk was one of HCA's most successful events to date.

Not only did we raise awareness throughout Arlington about the need for more affordable housing in our community, but we raised over $42,000 to for HCA’s affordable housing and homelessness prevention initiatives.

Thank you, Arlington community, for your interest, involvement and support!