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Council debate spotlights housing-rehab program reach; councilor questions focus on CHA properties
Summary
A councilor at the Nov. 18 meeting criticized the city’s housing rehabilitation program for serving housing-authority properties rather than individual low-income homeowners; another councilor responded that CHA residents are Chelsea residents and qualify by income.
A heated exchange at the Nov. 18 Chelsea City Council meeting centered on how the city’s housing rehabilitation efforts are being applied and who is receiving benefits.
A city manager communication reported that the housing-rehabilitation program served seven households individually over the past five years, that Chelsea Housing Authority (CHA) properties are being served through broader rehabilitation efforts, and that staff plan to restart workforce rehabilitation and senior home-repair programs that could serve up to 22 households in coming years.
Councilor Recupero questioned whether the city should be using limited local funds to help housing authority properties, saying, “Why are we helping the Chelsea Housing Authority? They already have money from the state... In 5 years, you only helped 7 people,” and urging attention to individual homeowners who cannot afford needed repairs.
Councilor Jimenez Rivera responded that CHA residents live in Chelsea and typically qualify as low-income households (under 80% of area median income), noting that those residents are part of the city’s community and should not be excluded from assistance.
Madam President paused the floor and recommended that the matter be discussed further in the housing subcommittee with department heads present so councilors could get more detail on program delivery and eligibility.
Councilors did not take a vote on program changes during the meeting; the issue was directed to committee for further review and staff engagement.
