[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 5 (Wednesday, January 12, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E48-E49]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            NEWTON HOUSING AUTHORITY HONORS JONATHAN HACKER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BARNEY FRANK

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 12, 2011

  Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, after 39 years of dedicated 
service in the important cause of providing housing for people in need 
in our society, Jonathan Hacker is retiring next month as Director of 
the Newton Housing Authority.
  Throughout the period when many in this country mistakenly put 
excessive focus on pushing homeownership for lower-income people in 
cases where it was not appropriate, Jonathan Hacker worked tirelessly 
on behalf of providing decent rental housing for people in that 
category. As he noted recently, ``When I first assumed my position at 
NHA, our housing portfolio consisted of 226 units of federal public 
housing located in 4 developments along with 223 units of subsidized 
housing. Today, the NHA portfolio consists of 1,034 units of affordable 
housing operated under federal, state, and management portfolios.'' 
This feat--more than doubling the number of rental units available--is 
a rare example, unfortunately, of work by someone who understands the 
best way in which to respond to housing needs.
  Public housing has not been a fashionable cause for many years, and 
our society has suffered from that. Jonathan Hacker was never deterred 
by these attitudes from working hard on behalf of people in need, and 
not just people in that sector but the entire City of Newton benefitted 
greatly from his work. As NHA Chair Tom Turner said in the announcement 
of Mr. Hacker's retirement, ``Jonathan will be greatly missed. He has 
an amazing background and work ethic as well as 39 years of housing 
authority experience.''
  Mr. Speaker, in the hopes that Jonathan Hacker's example will inspire 
others to work as he has on the best solution to our housing needs, I 
ask that the statement from the Newton Housing Authority on his 
retirement be printed here.

 Jonathan Hacker, Newton Housing Authority Executive Director to Retire

       Jonathan L. Hacker, Executive Director of the Newton 
     Housing Authority has announced his intention to retire in 
     February after 39 years with the Authority.
       Mr. Hacker began his career with the NHA in 1972 as 
     Administrative Assistant. He was elevated to Assistant 
     Executive Director in 1983 and to Executive Director in 1999.
       When asked to reflect upon his career he stated, ``When I 
     first assumed my position at NHA, our housing portfolio 
     consisted of 226 units of federal public housing located in 4 
     developments along with 223 units of subsidized housing. 
     Today, the NHA portfolio consists of 1,034 units of 
     affordable housing operated under federal, state, and 
     management portfolios. New housing opportunities have always 
     been difficult to obtain in Newton due to factors that we are 
     all familiar with. Our accomplishments have been 
     extraordinary.
       ``We have received over 7.5 million dollars since 1992 for 
     capital improvement funding from HUD to renovate and support 
     our federally funded portfolio. Some of the work items 
     include Section 504 handicap modifications at our 
     developments, replacement heating plants, replacement 
     windows, roofs, kitchen and bath modernizations, new fire 
     alarm systems, balcony and canopy repairs, an emergency fire 
     stopping project, and other improvements that make the lives 
     of our residents easier and safer. During the initial years 
     of the federal capital improvement program, these grants were 
     competitive in nature. Our competitive proposals generated 
     HUD grants in excess of 4 million dollars.
       ``On the State side, funds have been more difficult to come 
     by. However, we managed to accomplish a one million dollar 
     building envelope project, an emergency generator project 
     which provides emergency electricity to our disabled 
     residents at the New Hyde apartments, a replacement window 
     program, building re-siding project, electric baseboard 
     replacement project, drainage and surface improvements to the 
     New Hyde site and have additional projects currently in the 
     planning and design stage. State funded projects that are 
     presently in the process of being federalized (Echo Ridge and 
     Nonantum Village) are receiving significant infusions of 
     funds, which will improve the infrastructure of these 
     properties and enhance the lives of our residents.
       ``Our real property acquisition program has been amazingly 
     successful, recently yielding 48 units of affordable housing 
     with local inclusionary zoning funding, Community 
     Preservation Act participation, and conventional bank 
     financing. The Newton Housing Authority with the 
     Commissioner's support elected to receive 6 million dollars 
     in cash payments from developers of two luxury developments 
     which would have otherwise provided 9 units of family housing 
     for a finite period of time. Our election to receive cash has 
     created appropriate sized housing conveniently located close 
     to public amenities, which will remain affordable in 
     perpetuity. NHA has demonstrated that it is the low cost 
     producer of affordable housing acquisition in our city. This 
     program creates the quickest path to creating permanently 
     affordable housing.
       ``On other fronts, great accomplishment and personal 
     satisfaction has come from our actions on behalf of victims 
     of Hurricane Katrina, bringing Habitat for Humanity to 
     Newton, devising an emergency management and evacuation plan 
     for our residents, implementing and upgrading our Information 
     Technology systems, dedicating units in our Wyman Street 
     property for temporary emergency housing, federalizing two 
     state funded developments, being named by HUD as a High 
     Performing Housing Authority on multiple occasions, and being 
     honored in November 1999 when HUD Secretary Andrew Cuomo 
     named us as `. . . the nation's finest . . .' in a 
     Washington, D.C. awards ceremony. We were instrumental in 
     gaining the necessary support from the Nonantum community to 
     allow Nonantum Village Place, a HUD 202 development to become 
     a reality. We have had numerous financial audits including 
     the recently completed FY 2009 A-133 audit which have all 
     been without finding or recommendations.
       ``We provided much comfort to Mr. Bill Britt, the `Hermit 
     from Chestnut Hill'. He along with a number of truly homeless 
     individuals residing outdoors received our care

[[Page E49]]

     and personal resources. Although for the most part we were 
     unsuccessful in encouraging these folks to obtain our public 
     housing units, we provided clothing, bedding, meals and 
     financial assistance where we could during the coldest times 
     of the year.
       ``During the blizzard of 1978, we provided food, water, and 
     medical supplies including prescription medications to our 
     residents. Since motor vehicles were not permitted to be on 
     the streets during this emergency we received special 
     authorization to carry out our mission. We made the necessary 
     arrangements with local family owned businesses to open their 
     doors to us, extend credit, and provide emergency supplies so 
     that we could bring sustenance to our residents.
       ``There have been so many important accomplishments over 
     the years, each that impact our residents. It would not be 
     possible to highlight them at this time.''
       Mr. Hacker acknowledged the current members of the NHA 
     Board of Commissioners for their commitment, dedication, and 
     professional manner in which they have approached their 
     positions. ``Howard Haywood, Rick Kronish, Mary Panaggio, 
     Jeff Sacks, and Tom Turner have each made a difference in the 
     lives of those under our umbrella. It is, after all, about 
     those under our care. I am pleased with the recent 
     appointment of Rick Kronish to our Board as the 
     representative of organized labor. Rick's background in 
     finance and his affiliation with the New England Council of 
     Carpenters will be an asset as the Newton Housing Authority 
     moves forward.
       ``As I move into retirement, I am comfortable knowing that 
     I have done the best job possible in my capacity of Executive 
     Director. I leave the Newton Housing Authority with solid 
     financial reserves, a caring and dedicated staff, and 
     innovative and progressive programs in place. The overall 
     excellent health of the Newton Housing Authority will afford 
     my successor the ability to move forward with the strength to 
     address the challenges that lie ahead.''
       When asked to comment on Mr. Hacker's retirement, NHA Chair 
     Tom Turner stated, ``Jonathan will be greatly missed. Re has 
     an amazing background and work ethic as well as 39 years of 
     housing authority experience. I am hopeful that his 
     relationship with the NHA can continue on some level going 
     forward.''
       Mr. Hacker plans to spend more time with his family, 
     including two wonderful grandchildren, improving his golf 
     game, enjoying the outdoors and developing new interests.

                          ____________________