Four Housing Authorities—those in Chelsea, Gloucester, New Bedford and Taunton—will receive a combined $389,000 in planning and predevelopment grants. Lieutenant Gov. Karyn Polito made the announcement, directing funds toward efforts to launch the ‘A Better Life’ programming that Worcester Housing Authority pioneered.
Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito and State Housing Undersecretary Chrystal Kornegay present a grant to City Manager Thomas Ambrosino and CHA Executive Director Al Ewing and Assistant Director Diane Cohen to help bring the ‘A Better Life’ program to Chelsea.
By encouraging debt reduction and home ownership alongside educational and employment opportunities, the program creates pathways for families and residents to achieve economic independence and self-sufficiency. Support services form the backbone of this initiative, which provides access to comprehensive resources designed to promote resident well-being.
“Our administration is committed to pursuing community programming that works, and allowing others to learn from and build on its success,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Worcester’s ‘A Better Life’ program is providing families guidance and access to the services and employment or educational opportunities that allow them to move towards long-term economic independence. We look forward to seeing others implement the program for their families and communities.”
The Worcester Housing Authority-pioneered model pairs residents with a Family Life Coach who conducts thorough needs assessments and develops collaborative “family development plan.” Through these individualized plans, participants set and pursue both immediate and long-range objectives across employment, financial literacy and education. An on-staff employment manager at Worcester works with regional employers to match interested participants with job openings. As residents work toward their goals, they maintain ongoing support and gain access to services offered through partner organizations.
In Worcester, Lt. Governor Polito appeared alongside Housing and Community Development Undersecretary Chrystal Kornegay, Worcester Housing Authority Executive Director Alex Corrales and other local officials to unveil the initiative.
“I am thrilled to announce the expansion of A Better Life, and I want to congratulate the Worcester Housing Authority on creating a program that profoundly benefits the lives of residents and families,” said Lt. Governor Polito. “These awards will give more housing authorities the resources to create their own programming that will support families on the road to economic self-sufficiency and improve access to educational, financial and employment opportunities.”
“Our public housing authorities provide critical housing in the Commonwealth, and affect the lives of thousands of families and residents,” said Chrystal Kornegay, Housing and Community Development Undersecretary. “A Better Life leverages those existing touch points, and provides profoundly effective services to residents, and we are proud to partner with housing authorities to test its effectiveness at other sites.”
Following its 2015 launch, the program has engaged more than 200 residents and generated remarkable outcomes. Gross annual income among participants rose by 76 percent, while employment rates climbed 62 percent. Educational achievements include 106 completed programs: 57 certifications, 12 associate degrees and five bachelor degrees. Participants reduced collective debt by 30 percent, with program graduates achieving even steeper reductions of 75 percent.
The Chelsea Housing Authority will use its grant allocation to design and develop an implementation strategy for ABL. Planning efforts will establish performance metrics, construct an implementation timeline and establish partnerships with service providers capable of delivering essential resident support.