Northampton Housing Authority adopts 2026 state annual plan despite tenant-notice objections

The Northampton Housing Authority voted 5-1 on March 17 to adopt its 2026 state annual plan, authorizing Executive Director Kara Leeper to sign required certifications and upload public comments to the state agency.

The vote came after a formal public hearing at which residents and local tenant organization (LTO) representatives raised concerns about tenant notification and accessibility of posted notices, progress on capital work at properties including Hampshire Heights and Walter Salvo House, and the scheduling of intercom, ventilation and window projects. Commissioner Tarbutton cast the lone dissent, saying lack of tenant involvement justified her no vote.

The board considered Resolution No. 20251, described at the meeting as adopting the 2026 state annual plan and related policies and certifications required by the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) and 760 CMR 4.16. Director Leeper said the plan follows the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) template and that the authority posted the state plan for review on its website and at state property offices on Jan. 24, 2025. "Once I upload the comments, the state assigns FISH numbers and the projects move into design," Leeper said, explaining the state funding and project sequencing process.

Why it matters: the state annual plan is the authority’s primary five-year capital programming document; approval allows the authority to seek state-assigned funding numbers and move projects into design and construction phases. At the hearing, residents cited immediate accessibility and maintenance concerns — including heavy-entry doors, potholes, window and water issues at Hampshire Heights — and asked how planned projects would be prioritized.

At the public hearing, a number of tenants and LTO officers spoke. BJ Beets asked whether an energy-efficiency proposal submitted previously by a consultant (Ben Weil) had been incorporated into the plan; Director Leeper said the authority is working with contractors and has advanced some items and has an existing contract with Power Options and Guardian to pursue mini-splits and weatherization work. Al Chagnon and Mr. Edwards — officers with the Walter Salvo House LTO — thanked the authority for ongoing coordination and asked that the LTO be kept informed about project timing.

Director Leeper gave specifics on several items referenced at the hearing: the intercom project is in design with the state; ventilation system replacements were moved up to FY 2026 from FY 2027; and some fan repairs had returned systems to service with full replacements scheduled for next year. Leeper also described larger pending grant applications: "For ForeSander, I'm waiting for approval for over $4,500,000 for mini-splits and an additional $380,000 for weatherization," she said, and added about $390,000 in weatherization funding aimed at all properties under the authority’s management (including Northampton, Hatfield and East Hampton) pending final site inspections.

Board deliberations focused largely on process and tenant engagement rather than the technical merits of individual projects. Commissioner Ben Wood, the board’s newest member, asked how the state evaluates submissions and what happens after board approval; Leeper answered that the state assigns FISH (Financial Information Systems for Housing) numbers that move items into the design phase and that timing can vary. Commissioner Tarbutton argued tenants had not been adequately engaged in the lead-up to the vote: "No tenant involvement. That's the core of that without it," she said during roll-call voting.

Vote and formal action: Commissioner Tarbutton moved to approve the state annual plan; the motion was seconded and placed on the floor. The recorded roll-call vote on Resolution No. 20251 was: Maureen Carney (Chair) — yes; Commissioner Jones — yes; Commissioner Brooks — yes; Commissioner Tarbutton — no; Commissioner Healy — yes; Commissioner Ben Wood — yes. Outcome: approved, 5–1. The board directed Executive Director Leeper to submit public comments and certifications to the state for final processing and funding assignment.

Other agenda items and context: Director Leeper reported routine monthly statistics (collection rates, waitlist counts and work-order volumes) and a bad-debt write-off totaling $22,006.67 tied mostly to a single abandoned unit. Leeper also noted ongoing health and resident services such as monthly blood-pressure clinics and low-cost podiatry visits offered in partnership with the Northampton Health Department and Trinity Health.

Where it goes next: With board approval, the executive director will upload comments and certifications to the state. If the state approves specific projects and assigns FISH numbers, those projects will enter design and later construction phases under state oversight. Residents were invited to submit written comments; Director Leeper said she could include comments submitted before she uploads materials to the state.

Ending: The authority’s federal annual plan will be considered separately in April and includes other properties (McDonald House and Florence Heights). The board scheduled no further vote on the state plan at this meeting and adjourned after the approval.