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Arlington Housing Authority

Resident Services Program

Arlington Housing Authority is pleased to offer each tenant access to a Resident Service Coordinator. The main role of the Resident Service Coordinator is to support the stability of residents, connect residents to resources, help residents navigate systems, promote a sense of community and ensure inclusion and non-discrimination within our community and beyond.

Residents interested in connecting with a Resident Services Coordinator can contact Tricia Horgan at (781) 646-3400 x340 or by email at phorgan@arlingtonhousing.org

Family Housing Resident Services

The Arlington Housing Authority is proud to support the Menotomy Manor community by offering a variety of programs and services designed to enrich the lives of our residents:

  • Food Pantry
    Open every Monday from 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM at the Life Skills Center in Menotomy Manor.
  • Operation Success
    Free homework help for students in grades 6–12 living in Menotomy Manor. For more information, please contact your Resident Service Coordinator.
  • Cradles to Crayons
    As a proud partner of Cradles to Crayons, AHA provides children with essential items such as new or gently used clothing at no cost. Donations are distributed four times a year through “clothing give-away” events hosted by the Resident Service Coordinator.
  • Holiday Party
    Each year, AHA hosts a holiday celebration for Menotomy Manor residents. We take pride in honoring all holidays to ensure every tenant feels welcomed and included.
  • National Night Out
    This annual event, co-hosted by AHA and the Arlington Police Department, features family-friendly activities, strengthens community connections, and promotes partnerships with local organizations.
  • Back-to-School Drive
    Thanks to generous community donors, AHA provides free school supplies to all children living in Menotomy Manor at the start of each school year.
  • Summer Camp Scholarships
    The AHA Board of Commissioners is dedicated to supporting families and enriching children’s lives. In 2025, AHA contributed $7,000 to help Menotomy Manor children attend one week of summer camp, providing opportunities for learning, growth, and fun.

Senior Housing Resident Services

The AHA is proud to support its Senior Public Housing Residents by offering a variety of programs and services designed to enrich the lives of our residents:

1. Housing Authority & Advocacy
  • Assist residents in maintaining housing and preventing eviction.
  • Provide mediation and conflict resolution between tenants and management.
  • Connect tenants with legal aid or advocacy resources when needed.
2. Information & Referral Services
  • Link residents to local resources (food, clothing, childcare, elder care, etc.).
  • Provide guidance on financial assistance, benefits, and entitlement programs (SNAP, fuel assistance, Social Security, Medicare/Medicaid).
  • Maintain updated resource guides for residents.
3. Health & Wellness Support
  • Coordinate on-site health screenings, flu clinics, or wellness workshops.
  • Provide education on health insurance (e.g., Medicare/Medicaid, Part D, Advantage Plans).
  • Connect residents to mental health, substance use, or counseling services.
4. Education & Employment Support
  • Share job training and employment resources.
  • Support residents in pursuing adult education or community classes.
  • Organize workshops on financial literacy, fraud prevention, or digital skills.
5. Community Building & Engagement
  • Plan social, cultural, and recreational activities to reduce isolation and build community.
  • Encourage resident participation in associations and resident leadership opportunities.
  • Partner with community organizations for events (e.g., food distributions, cultural programs).
6. Emergency & Crisis Assistance
  • Provide referrals during emergencies (utility shutoffs, food insecurity, domestic violence).
  • Assist residents with emergency applications for rental or financial aid.
  • Serve as a point of contact for crisis response and resource coordination.
7. Specialized Support for Seniors & People with Disabilities
  • Help connect seniors to home care, transportation, and mobility services.
  • Provide support for aging in place and independent living.
  • Coordinate access to assistive devices or accommodations.
8. Communication & Collaboration
  • Act as a liaison between residents, property management, and community agencies.
  • Share important updates, program information, and opportunities.
  • Advocate for resident needs with external partners and service providers.

State Self Sufficiency Program (SSP)

The State Self-Sufficiency Program is a new opportunity available to all tenants living in state-aided family public housing and participants of the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program. This three-year program connects residents to economic development opportunities and supports families in reaching their goals.

When you enroll, you will work with your State Self-Sufficiency Program Coordinator (SSP) to set personal goals you’d like to achieve during the program. Every 90 days, you’ll meet with your coordinator to review your progress, stay accountable, and receive guidance and support.

One of the most exciting features of the program is the financial incentive: as your income increases, money is placed into a special escrow (savings) account. Over time, your savings will grow right alongside your earnings.

Your SSP Coordinator is here to help you:

  • Access services and resources to overcome barriers to employment
  • Strengthen your financial skills and build stability
  • Work through challenges that may be holding you back from achieving your goals

The program is designed to help families move forward, build independence, and create new opportunities for the future.

Those interested in learning more or joining this program, should contact Bianca Levarity, our SSP Coordinator, to set up a meeting.
Email: blevarity@arlingtonhousing.org
Tel: (781) 646-3400 x420

Federal Family Self Sufficiency Program (FSS)

The Arlington Housing Authority’s Family Self Sufficiency Program pairs Section 8 (HCV) participants with an FSS Coordinator who will guide them down the path of self-sufficiency. At AHA, Self Sufficiency means achieving goals that tenants create with the help of their FSS coordinator. Whether it’s paying off a car loan or fulfilling a long-held dream of going to culinary school, we’re here to arm participants with the resources they need to make those goals a reality.

Some of our services include:

  • Individualized Coaching
    Meet with the FSS Coordinator to plan your future and identify your urgent needs
  • Education Planning
    Education is the key to success. There are various programs in Massachusetts that offer free or low cost education. Our FSS Coordinator will refer you to these programs so you can get a jump start on your education.
  • Career Planning
    Landing your dream job requires preparation. Our FSS Coordinator will refer you to services that will help you build your resume, practice for interviews, and select the best career path based on your skills and previous experience.
  • Financial Planning
    Finances can be a mess to figure out on your own. Our FSS Coordinator will pair you with services that will demystify terms like “credit utilization” and get you on the right track towards achieving financial stability.

What is FSS?

Commonly Asked Questions:

What is the FSS Program?

The Family Self Sufficiency program is a HUD-funded program that offers incentives such as the FSS escrow account, case management, coaching, and other supportive services that not only encourage participation, but also help families become and remain free of public assistance. FSS families are offered a variety of ways to learn new skills, enhance their existing talents, and meet other residents who share similar goals.

What is the Escrow Account?

As a participant of the FSS program, any increase in either rent or salary gets directly deposited into an interest-bearing depository account. For example, if you currently pay $1,000 in rent and a recertification sets your new rent at $1,200, $200 dollars is deposited into your escrow account every month.

During the program, your escrow account can be used to help fulfill your goals by covering the cost of car repairs or courses.

At the end of the program, when you have completed your FSS goals and no household member is receiving welfare, you will be able to receive the full amount of your escrow.

Graduation is an exciting and rewarding time. We have already graduated a couple of participants who've received over 10k in escrow funds to contribute to a successful future.

How is the Escrow Calculated?

HUD regulations govern how AHA handles your escrow account. There are two ways of earning FSS escrow credit:

Income increase and rent increase.

Income increase credit is calculated by taking 30% of 2.5% of the increase from initial to current income. We essentially take a small portion of whatever salary increase you get. That way if your salary increases by 5k from one year to the next, 5k is not going to be directly added to your escrow. Only a small portion of that will be added.

The alternative is rent increase, which is the difference from baseline to current rent. The lowest amount of the two is what is deposited into your escrow account.

Who is Eligible for FSS?

Anyone in Arlington Housing Authority's HCV program is eligible to participate in the FSS program.

How Do I Join the Program?

Contact Raji Ayinla, our FSS Coordinator, to set up a meeting.
Email: rayinla@arlingtonhousing.org
Tel: 781-646-3400 x 300

Frequently Requested Documents

Residents may request a copy of these forms or other AHA forms by calling (781) 646-3400 x110 or by contacting their property manager.

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Reasonable Accommodation Requests