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Northampton Housing Authority approves 8-week peer-to-peer support MOU with Greenfield to address staffing and vacancies
Summary
The Northampton Housing Authority board voted to accept an 8-week memorandum of understanding with Greenfield Housing Authority to provide peer-to-peer support addressing about 40 staff vacancies and maintenance backlogs. Commissioners said the measure is an emergency, rapid-response step while the authority continues hiring.
The Northampton Housing Authority on March 16 approved an eight-week memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Greenfield Housing Authority to provide peer-to-peer operational support aimed at reducing a backlog of about 40 vacancies across NHA programs.
Acting Executive Director Sharon Kimball described the arrangement as short-term, practical help from another housing authority familiar with public-housing operations. "What that means is that other housing authorities come in and they help with the housing authority because they're familiar with the work," Kimball said, explaining the teams will assist with assessments, staffing and vacancy processes.
Why it matters: Commissioners said NHA has been short-staffed for more than a year, creating delays in maintenance turnarounds and resident vetting that keep units vacant. Commissioners and staff said the peer-to-peer team can provide faster manpower and technical assistance while NHA continues hiring a permanent maintenance director and other staff.
During discussion, Commissioner Jeff Jones asked directly about the size of the staffing gap: "The proposal as presented mentions 40 vacancies. Is that number 40, is that accurate?" Kimball confirmed the figure, explaining that roughly 10 vacancies are in federally funded positions and about 30 are in state-managed roles. Board members pressed on whether the support would extend to both maintenance and administrative tasks; Kimball said the visiting team would help with assessments and provide additional manpower where needed.
The MOU’s term and cost: The board voted to accept an "8-week peer-to-peer temporary support" arrangement. During the roll call vote Patricia Healey, Jeff Jones, Jim Nash, Joella Tarbutton Springfield, Ben Wood and Commissioner Abrashkin voted in favor; Tarbutton Springfield noted the board’s urgency and said she supported the measure despite cost concerns. The motion passed without recorded no votes.
What happens next: The peer organization will begin rapid assessments and on-the-ground support while NHA completes active recruitments for maintenance and other vacancies. Sharon Kimball said the new maintenance director will start next Wednesday and will participate in hiring additional maintenance staff.
Board documents: The board approved the MOU by roll call; minutes and the final MOU will be attached to the public meeting record.
The board moved on to other agenda items after the vote.
