BOSTON, MA – More than 150  BHA residents and voucher participants from across the city joined Boston Housing Authority Administrator Kenzie Bok and BHA leadership on Saturday to discuss BHA’s 2025-2029 five year plan, a blueprint that will lay out the upcoming goals and priorities for the future of the agency.

During the event, Administrator Bok shared details of BHA’s newly drafted 2025-2029 Five Year Plan.  Gathered at the BCYF Johnson Center, attendees connected with BHA leadership, staff, and key partners to learn more about how BHA is promoting new affordable housing, healthy homes, resident leadership, community safety, homeownership, and more.  Staff and partners provided informational materials about available programs and touchpoints for residents and voucher holders to provide feedback and access to staff.

“I believe that BHA is the most important public institution in the City of Boston, because we make sure Bostonians from all walks of life have a home,” BHA Administrator Kenzie Bok said. “For this city to truly thrive, families must be able to raise their kids here in Boston, and seniors have to be able to stay in the city that they love and have lived in their whole lives. That work falls to us.”

The BHA’s Resident Advisory Board and Youth Leadership Council tabled at the event and shared information with residents and voucher holders about how they can become more involved in BHA’s policy decisions.  The Youth Leadership Council also surveyed residents and shares their survey results with BHA leadership.

"It’s inspiring to see so many residents coming together to shape the future of the BHA. This plan holds a lot of promise for BHA residents,” said Bellflower Taskforce President Eugenia Smith. “From customer service to public safety, job opportunities and homeownership, it’s exciting to see BHA priorities and goals that put resident empowerment and wellbeing at the center of its plans for the future.”

In September and October, BHA distributed a Five Year Planning Survey, and asked residents, staff and partners to weigh the issues that are most important to them. With this feedback, BHA’s draft Five Year Plan lays out eight overarching priorities for 2025-2029.

1. Lead with Customer Service.

2. Invest in high quality maintenance, management, and inspections

3. Create economic opportunity-job training, career ladders, wealth building–for BHA residents and staff

4. Partner with residents and community stakeholders to promote community safety

5. Create green and healthy communities

6. Plan for long term financial sustainability at BHA

7. Build new Public Housing

8. Promote well-being and leadership for BHA residents and staff

BHA’s draft Five Year Plan for 2025-2029 is available for review on the BHA website.

The BHA’s annual and Five Year Plan will undergo a public comment period prior to submission to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC). 

Public comments can be submitted to 52 Chauncy St. attn: John Kane, Boston, MA 02111; or e-mail john.kane@bostonhousing.org.

A virtual public hearing will be held Monday, December 9^th at 11 AM. Please register in order to attend.  You will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. An in person hearing will be held later that day, Monday December 9^th at 6:00 PM at Boston City Hall, 1 City Hall Plaza Room 801, Boston, MA 02201.

Comments and responses are incorporated into the submission for approval from HUD and EOHLC.

To provide additional input into BHA’s upcoming priorities, fill out the Five Year Planning Survey.

BHA thanks the partner organizations that attended the event; Age Strong, Mayor’s Office of Community Safety, Mayor’s Office of Youth Engagement and Advancement, SpokeArt, Action for Boston Community Development and a special shout out to Boston Center for Youth and Families for use of the Johnson Center and welcoming everyone to their new space.

See photos from the event.