Arlington Housing Authority Voices Uplifted

 

Personal experience informs my support for Kelda Fontenot, ~ John Ward, AHA Tenant Winslow Towers

“The 'old guard' AHA Board has enjoyed decades of anonymity and the speedy format of meetings.. there is a LOT of truth to the deficiencies being exposed by this election cycle. To believe that those who have been conducting themselves one way for decades are suddenly going to pivot overnight must also believe in the tooth fairy. Since there are no term limits here, a change in Board Commissioners is the approach that I believe in and therefore support Kelda Fontenot for the AHA Board of Directors.”

 

Fontenot is extremely qualified; a strong, articulate advocate, ~ Kellye Eversole

“I have had an opportunity to get to know quite a few of the wonderful individuals who live in Winslow Towers and I have learned about the horrible conditions in another property managed by the AHA. I believe the AHA Board must do a better job of ensuring that the needs of tenants are met, that their voices are heard, and that they are given a place to live with dignity..(Fontenot)has a concrete action plan, is committed to transparent, open meetings and rules, has endorsed and plans to push for the implementation of the recommendations from the League of Women Voters, has experienced financial and housing difficulties, and has the spirit and drive to succeed. She is extremely qualified in managing complex projects and will be a strong, articulate advocate for all tenants.”

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Cockroaches, mice, bedbugs and holes in the ceiling- another day in the AHA, ~ Elizabeth Dray, Town Meeting member

“Recently a Menotomy Manor resident emailed me and said: “Change has to be done down here. It’s not right what we are going through. I’m just fed up with it. There is no reason it is like this other than [the Housing Board] not caring and just wanting our [rent] check. I’ve lived down here for almost xx yrs so I have gone through a lot down here. They want our rent on time and we want a good, working place to live.” The resident wishes to remain anonymous due to fear of retribution for speaking publicly. Reading AHA meeting minutes for the last six months of 2020 (2021 minutes are not posted) reveal health code violations and residents pleading for help with infestations of bed bugs, cockroaches “everywhere” and mice. One resident said that the Board of Health judged her apartment as “unsafe to live there” and it is “beyond disgusting and no one is doing anything.”

 

"Never in these meetings are we allowed to talk freely and with unlimited time. That's not a bad thing in some cases, but when people called me a b---- they were allowed to continue talking..when the AHA Director illegally showed photos of my mother's apt, in an attempt to victim blame us for a mice infestation, none of the Board members spoke up in her defense. We need change in the AHA, please vote for Kelda Fontenot, she will be a refreshing voice that can actually relate to the people she is serving." ~ Vanessa Rowsell, AHA Resident Menotomy Manor

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“I support Kelda because she understands the reality of what we face down here and will help us with the needs that WE need.  She cares for the families down here. She will listen to concerns and help change down here for the better. She has the professional and personal experience that will make her really effective and bring REAL change to families that live here. We need someone who will help change. We shouldn't have to raise our kids like this. We need Kelda so there will be change!! Vote for Kelda!!" ~ Anonymous Menotomy Manor tenant for over 10 years

 

“I mostly keep to myself since as I’ve had a lot of negative experiences living here the past 11yrs.  All I really want is for the AHA to actually care and do their part.” ~ Anonymous AHA Tenant

​"I give my wholehearted support to Kelda Fontenot.  She has the right spirit and know-how first hand.  Children need her voice, as well as all young families.  She is so caring and willing and just forges ahead no matter what's happening." ~ Anonymous Winslow Tower tenant, over ten years

​"They don't like to fix anything, our bathrooms flood... it leaks into the kitchen light fixture and ruins the ceiling".   “Change has to be done down here. It's not right what we are going through. I'm just fed up with it. There is no reason it is like this other than [the Housing Board] not caring and just wanting our [rent] check. I've lived down here for almost xx yrs so i have gone through alot down here. They want our rent on time and we want a good, working place to live.” ~ Anonymous AHA Tenant

 

“To suggest that in the past year quite a few changes have been made is totally inaccurate...the only change currently in the process is a Committee to "study" the hopelessly inadequate AHA website that was established last month and still has not met. The Board has known about needed changes for years and no action was taken....try reading the minutes from 2020. The total absence of any detail concerning change? will become obvious to anyone really interested Not one of the current problems was dealt with. That is all there is to it!”

~ John Ward, tenant of the AHA’s Winslow Towers

 

“While there is no blood on the floor, a host of issues including: on-going rodent and insect infestations, non-existent communication between AHA administration and residents, arrogance by "old guard" Board members at meetings, AHA having to be forced by Town Health, Fire, Inspection, and Police departments to make necessary repairs and correct problems, to name a few. All well documented. And there is more...

The Board has historically been unwilling to address anything to do with Administration Policy. It was all left to the Executive Director. Hopefully, a new board, with a new majority voting block, will finally exercise their duty to oversee the changes needed in AHA policies. Vote for Kelda Fontenot and give the AHA Board of Directors the kind of direction needed to move forward.”  ~ John Ward, tenant of the AHA’s Winslow Towers

​“While the presidents of the four AHA tenants associations are elected, that does not mean that they speak publicly for ALL AHA residents on any issue. The presentation of their information on Arlington List might suggest to some readers that they speak for all residents of AHA. That is simply NOT TRUE. The way that information was presented has clearly been misrepresented and is obviously intended to do just that.? The four presidents of the AHA tenants association can speak for themselves alone and that is all there is to it! Vote for Kelda Fontenot as the new AHA Board of Directors member this April. It takes three new members to institute the necessary changes required to make the AHA Board of Directors an all-inclusive and effective oversight of AHA administrative activities.” ~ John Ward, tenant of the AHA’s Winslow Towers

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Fontenot would be a responsive voice, ~ Marcia Boston, AHA Resident, Drake Village

“I am appalled at the state of this building, particularly the lack of upkeep and cleanliness. It also certainly doesn’t seem like anyone cares about the seniors or the disabled that live here. “It is what it is” is what I was told when pointing out the disrepair in my apartment. No person should have to feel humiliated because of their lack of funds. It would take me too many words to write about how difficult it was to get anyone to pay attention to the condition of the apartment when I moved in. It’s vital that there’s someone on the board that has an understanding of what it means to live in affordable housing. I know Kelda will try to institute a better quality of life for the residents and will be a responsive voice on the board.”

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Tenants fear speaking out when your housing is vulnerable, ~ Marian King, AHA Tenant, former Tenant Assoc President Menotomy Manor, Town Meeting member

“Many AHA residents prefer not to speak out on sensitive issues, there is often fear when your housing is vulnerable.  The Presidents of many Tenant Associations have spoken out.  Less often individuals, sure some issues are computer related, some are likely related to fear and equity issues...I have personally experienced class-est and racist remarks regarding my family and myself and am quite familiar with similar stories around the AHA properties.  Not everyone is treated with equal respect.  Many systems need much improvement...Arlington Housing needs your help!  Tenants in their organizations are more than social events.  Do not let the administration keep convincing you that your issues are so different from those of Menotomy Manor...They are NOT! Vote KELDA.”

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Kelda is the Answer to Calls for Reform at the AHA

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Culture of neglect and humiliation did not spring up overnight!, ~ Jordan Weinstein, Town Meeting member

“I am shocked by the way long serving board members treat residents. I encourage residents to watch the recordings on ACMI to view for themselves how disorganized, disrespectful and discouraging these meetings are. ..At one meeting the director shamed residents by holding up a photograph of someone’s home ..This culture of neglect and humiliation did not spring up overnight. It has been allowed to grow, unchecked, during the 20 years that the incumbent has been on the board...Kelda Fontenot will bring new energy and transparency to the board.”

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Culture of Favoritism Permeates AHA Meetings, ~ Islam Genina, a recent asylum grantee

“One of the most alarming and revealing recommendations from the five-year study conducted by the League of Women Voters is that Housing Authority board members undergo “regular professional training on how best to interact with people. One only needs to attend meetings to understand why this recommendation is needed. Attitudes and comments of long-serving board members show a callous disregard for the diverse voices of residents, revealing the clear need for cultural competence training and institutional training to address racism, classism and ableism as it plays out in their systems. ..There exists a documented culture of favoritism towards residents who speak favorably and retribution towards residents who speak about their frustration and concerns. It’s unsurprising that the incumbent’s campaign manager is the president of a Tenant’s Association; the impropriety of this alone validates the idea that a culture of favoritism flourishes at the AHA.”

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Fontenot is a critical third progressive vote on the Board, ~ Roderick Holland, Town Meeting member

“[The AHA] has too often operated in the shadows, without transparency or accountability, and without much vigor. Kelda Fontenot is running for a seat on the AHA Board in the coming election, and, if elected, will provide a critical third progressive vote, along with Board members Jo Anne Preston and Fiorella Badilla, constituting a majority for change. Her election could inaugurate a new and more equitable responsiveness of the AHA to its tenants, accountability and transparency to the citizens of Arlington, and an end to the passivity that has left grant money on the table in recent years. The AHA cannot fix all our housing problems, but a reinvigorated AHA can do more to play its part in their solution. I am impressed by Kelda Fontenot’s ability, experience, energy, and vision.”

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AHA’s mismanagement leaves money on the table 3 of the last 6 years, ~ Asia Kepka, Town Meeting member

“Why is the Arlington Housing Authority not requesting hundreds of thousands of dollars of Community Preservation Act money set aside for affordable housing every year? Why did the incumbent miss all six CPA meetings this year?..in the six years since the CPA began, the AHA has applied for that money only three times, (the money) left on the table last year could have been used to provide rental assistance for those who are most vulnerable in the community.”

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Where is the AHA’s budget?, ~ Caroline Murray, Town Meeting member

“[AHA’s] detailed operating budget is supposed to be a public document that is easy to find on their website. As of the writing of this letter, is still not posted despite continued requests. The incumbent candidate is running primarily on his record of having raised “$30 million for the AHA.” This initially seems like an impressive number until you consider that there are millions of federal, state and local monies are available to be applied for every year. If budgets were publicly available, community members could verify how much money has been raised, from where, and have visibility into what funds have not been applied for...Let’s VoteKelda.com for communication and budget transparency.”

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AHA Board needs change,  ~ Silvia Dominguez, Town Meeting member 

“I urge everyone to read the minutes and watch the ACMI recordings of the most recent board meetings. If you do, what you will observe are residents who express great frustration and ill-treatment by the board’s lack of response to the concerns and problems they have brought to the board’s attention...In order to humanize this office, the board needs to be replaced by those that uphold human rights. The board needs members who believe in and value the importance of all human beings regardless of income or race. Neighbors, please join me in voting for Kelda Fontenot to bring change to the Arlington Housing Authority.”

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Murkiness around AHA’s policy for clients whose primary language is not English, ~ Jennifer Mansfield, Town Meeting Member Candidate

“When the incumbent, who has been on the board for 20 years and is the current chair, was asked about the Language Assistance Plan policy at his campaign event, he was unfamiliar with it and didn’t know if these translated documents exist or where one would find them... The policy requires that “vital documents will be translated for each eligible LEP [Limited English Proficiency] language group,” including the tenants handbook and “any document that is critical for ensuring meaningful access to the recipients’ major activities and programs.”..It is time for someone who will pay attention to the legal rights of the most vulnerable and diverse residents in Arlington. It is time for a new board member who will make them feel welcomed and celebrated as part of the AHA community.”

 

Board members act extremely condescending and rude, dismissing tenants’ concerns, ~ Judith Garber, Town Meeting candidate

“(At an AHA meeting) I was shocked to hear some of the board members act extremely condescending and rude, dismissing tenants’ concerns about rodent infestations and blaming them for the problem. One tenant, on the verge of tears and tired of being silenced, wrote “Help us” on a piece of paper and held it to the computer camera..”Kelda will be an empathetic, responsive and hard-working board member.”

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Kelda is the answer to the LWV call for change, ~ Montserrat Zuckerman, Town Meeting candidate

“Kelda is the answer to the League of Women Voters call for change at the AHA. Over a five-year period the League of Women Voters Arlington (LWVA) conducted an investigation in response to the numerous complaints made about the AHA. They conducted interviews, sat in on meetings, studied documents and consulted state regulations...their conclusion is clear..they wrote “the League is hopeful that a few citizens in Arlington will be interested in running for the Housing Authority Board.” The LWVA is calling for change. Thankfully, Kelda stepped forward to be that change.”

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Fontenot Experience Three-fold: 

Professional Experience, Advocacy Experience, & Personal AHA Experience 

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Kelda has crafted a plan for her first year!, ~ Sheri Baron, Town Meeting member

“We are extremely fortunate that an intelligent, experienced and compassionate woman is running for a seat on this board, which has been 95% male-dominated for more than 60 years...I began attending AHA meetings a year ago and witnessed, month after month, residents coming to meetings in increasing numbers every month with issues that needed resolution. I cringed watching long-term members and the director treating people without respect, apathetic and sometimes with racist overtones...Kelda has crafted a plan for her first year. She has already reached out to residents during her campaign to find out what they need.”

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Communication with Tenants Fontenot's Highest Priority, ~ Eric Segal, Founder ArCS Cluster (local refugee resettlement program)

“I worked for public and subsidized housing tenants for many years, including at the Rindge Towers, Washington Elms/Newtown Court and Mission Main. In every case, the quality of the housing and the quality of services provided to the residents was directly proportional to the involvement of the residents in the governance of the housing authority. Boards that do not make it their business to communicate closely with the residents simply do not have the information to make decisions in the best interests of the residents. Kelda Fontenot has indicated that communication with housing authority tenants, which has not been the authority’s strong suit, will be her highest priority.“

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Kelda's mission, vision, and energy is inspiring, ~ Michaiah Healy, Town meeting member, former Candidate for Select Board, former Chair Diversity Task Group

“As a mother of young children running for a board position, there is an incredible efficiency, knowledge base, energy, and management of life upon which she can capitalize. Kelda’s experience allows her to connect to all residents — those who speak English as a 2nd/3rd/4th language, seniors, BIPOC and those living in family housing...Informed by her own experience living in public housing, Kelda has a plan to address the gaps of information. Many folks have not had to live in poverty or work with people living at/below the poverty line, but if you have had that experience, you’ll know that knowledge and transparency is a critical piece of hope and progress.”

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People closest to the issues should have a seat at the table, ~ Christine Carney, Town Meeting member

“Kelda’s own experiences with finding and securing safe and affordable housing give her the insight and perspective most of the other board members do not have. I strongly feel that people who are closest to the issues should have a seat at the table… The AHA’s unresponsiveness did not deter (Kelda) or cause her to give up in her quest for safe housing for her and her family. Because of her unwillingness to give up, I know she will be a strong advocate for others. And the people who the AHA serves deserve to have a board who will listen and advocate for them.”

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Winning combination: Relevant knowledge and personal experience, ~ Mary Fusoni

“The AHA race is extremely important this year. To improve the lives of our most vulnerable and marginalized neighbors, Kelda Fontenot must win a seat on the board.. The list of solutions on her website (votekelda.com/solutions) is influenced by the problems found by the League of Women Voters’ five-year audit of the AHA..She has firsthand experience with the AHA, having struggled to navigate the system to keep her family housed in Arlington. We are lucky to have this opportunity to elect someone who offers such relevant, expert knowledge combined with personal experience.”

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Kelda dedicated time engaging youth on important housing issues, ~ AHS Young Progressives Co-Chairs Noah Sweder and Arno Huet

“[Kelda] gives us hope for change...She understands the importance of safe and equitable housing as someone who has suffered the impact of bad housing policies..she has helped us understand why we should all care about this race, even if we don’t live in AHA properties. Her willingness to acknowledge the flaws in our current system and offer concrete, measurable solutions is refreshing. That is why we are spending time on weekends and after school handing out flyers and delivering lawn signs.”

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Kelda uniquely qualified, independent voice, ~ Rajeev Soneja

“Kelda brings a strong voice to help advocate for people who require housing.. (her) personal experiences and her ability to bring empathy and much needed independent voice will help ensure that all residents merit equal treatment and representation. Kelda brings years of experience with advocacy for those who require affordable housing, and I am confident these experiences will make Kelda uniquely qualified to be elected for this position.”

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Kelda has lived experience that we should all listen to!, ~ Judi Bohn

“I don’t usually endorse candidates in town, unless I feel that they have something especially valuable and meaningful to offer our residents. Kelda Fontenot is one of those candidates...For many years, the AHA has not recognized the needs of the residents and has made it almost impossible for any meaningful two-way communication. The residents have met with serious barriers to voice their concerns and needs..Kelda has lived experience that we should all listen to.”

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Kelda Fontenot Proposes Real Solutions, ~ Barbara Goodman

“Residents continue to complain that the board doesn’t listen to their complaints about basic health and safety issues.. (Fontenot) understands the needs and has proposed some concrete steps to improve communications..(she)  has demonstrated the ability to rise above the clamor and divisiveness to propose real solutions. She is the kind of person we need on the board right now. It is our responsibility as voters to elect individuals to the Arlington Housing Authority who will protect the welfare and basic human rights of our neighbors.”

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Intimately aware of the challenges housing insecure residents need to overcome, ~ Robin Bergman, Town Meeting candidate

“Sometimes it just happens that someone serves on a board or organization for so long that they lose sight of what motivated them to serve in the first place. They get too comfortable because they have not been challenged. It may not be intentional; they probably don’t even realize it themselves. But the result is that they have lost their vision, their ability to see new solutions, and lost touch with the needs of those they are there to serve. When this happens, it’s time for them to step down and allow someone new to serve. Unfortunately, this is what’s happened with long serving board members of the Arlington Housing Authority.”

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Fontenot will center and raise AHA voices, ~ Geoff Freed

“Kelda is an experienced project manager and has both created and worked within budgets, while running an international business for musicians. She is culturally competent and an effective team player. Following a disabling injury due to unsafe housing in 2010, she dedicated the past 10 years to housing advocacy and to learning as much as possible about the factors surrounding access to safe and affordable housing. In that work she gained critical experience understanding housing codes, rules and regulations. More importantly she intimately understands the barriers and challenges AHA residents face and will center and raise their voices.”

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Fontenot Constructive Voice for Tenants, ~ Celia Wcislo

“Arlington needs to expand its representation of all sections of our community. Kelda will be a welcome and constructive voice that will make Arlington’s public housing more responsive and tenant centered. I have lived in Arlington for just over 40 years, have been a member of First Parish Unitarian Universalist Congregations for 28 years and am proud to be able to put my support behind Kelda.”

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Kelda understands the challenges AHA tenants face daily, ~ Sandra Mostajo, Town Meeting member

“Kelda has the support of many Housing Authority residents. They know that through her personal and professional experience, she understands the complexities of affordable housing and the challenges they face daily. They know that they have a champion in Kelda. Now it is up to the rest of us to center their voices and respect their wishes and vote for Kelda as well.”

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Kelda is the right person at the right time, ~ Pamela Baldwin, former Housing Corporation of Arlington board member

“I am deeply familiar with acute housing needs and long waiting lists for affordable homes in our community..now is the time to insist on respectful and responsive management by the board..Kelda has specific plans and priorities that will make her an effective resource for AHA tenants, including documenting complaints, fostering a respectful culture with 24-hour response time, improving the website and ensuring that the Handbook is regularly updated, partnering with the Board of Health to address quality of life concerns, developing professional training that addresses diversity and inclusion, and holding monthly informal chats with residents.”

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Kelda Fontenot understands renter struggles, ~ Melanie Francis

“I’ve been a renter all my life ..When I spoke with Kelda Fontenot and she told me why she wanted to run for Arlington Housing Authority I knew I wanted to support her. I personally think that when a person has experienced hardship and wants to make changes they do so wholeheartedly, because they’ve felt the pain. Kelda is a person who has struggled as a renter and knows first hand what it's like to want renters security and not get it, she knows what it's like to have to vacate a home and not know what the next move is. Kelda knows what it's like to want repairs made to an apartment and nothing is done!!! Kelda can TRULY speak from experience and wants to fight for the people of Arlington to make sure renters are better supported and we really need this.”

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Kelda Fontenot brings experience; she leans in and she listens, ~ Rebecca Gruber, Town Meeting candidate

“When you want to get something done, you really need to understand the complexities of the issues and the reality of how policies and regulations play out in the lives of real people — you need to connect with the people on the ground, the people who experience what is working and what isn’t working on a daily basis. Through her personal experience with housing instability and her significant professional experience as a housing advocate, Kelda is the right person to get the work done. (She) knows what needs to be fixed, and she will dig in and get it done. Kelda leans in and she listens.”

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Kelda stepped forward to raise and center AHA voices , ~ Lynette Martyn, founder APS Diversity and Inclusion Groups (DIGs)

“(Kelda)  is exactly who is needed to continue the work started recently to reform the AHA..Kelda stepped forward to raise and center the voices of all the people she has met along the way in her work. She stepped forward to improve the lives of those whose voices have long been ignored, whose rights have long been violated by the long serving members of the Arlington Housing Authority.”

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Fontenot-talented, experienced, & well qualified, ~ Lynette Culverhouse, Town Meeting 

“(Kelda’a) authenticity, compassion and courage make her an ideal candidate for this position. I have attended many AHA meetings and have often found the attitude and behavior of the men on this board to be condescending and disrespectful towards our neighbors who are living in public housing.. A voice of compassion, empathy and action is what is needed. Kelda is that voice.”

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Kelda has deep experience, ~ Carey Theil

“(Kelda) has deep experience working with the AHA, and has identified specific problems that need to be fixed... a 2019 League of Women Voters study of the organization, which found there is an inadequate number of social workers, that residents were given unfavorable treatment when they criticized the organization, and that there is a need for training to better serve people with disabilities.”