2026 – March

Our most recent meeting focused on subsidized housing programs and resources available to landlords and tenants.

The evening began with Kurtis Amaral, who spoke about programs that offer free or subsidized property improvements for landlords. These initiatives can help property owners make upgrades while reducing their out-of-pocket costs.

Next, Kate Klein, Energy Advocate for the City of New Bedford, discussed local energy programs and resources available to help property owners improve efficiency and reduce energy costs.

Kathleen Facchini of NeighborWorks then presented information on several important housing programs, including RAFT and HomeBASE, which provide assistance to tenants facing housing instability. She also discussed HUD programs designed to support first-time homebuyers and help homeowners avoid foreclosure.

Following her presentation, Carlos Betancourt, the landlord contact for Section 8, addressed issues related to landlord participation and communication with the program.

Our main speaker was Wendy Mendoza Rivera, Executive Director of the New Bedford Housing Authority (NBHA). She explained that there are approximately 1,700 housing vouchers currently in use, with a significant backlog of applicants waiting for assistance. She advised landlords to work directly with tenant case managers when questions arise. She also noted that priority is often given to applicants who are victims under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).

Finally, Rose Rego from Fall River Section 8 shared that the Fall River program currently has 1,835 vouchers in circulation. She also emphasized that new Section 8 payments cannot begin until tenants have returned the keys to their previous landlord, ensuring proper turnover between units.