Resident Services
Free language assistance is available
The interpreter is provided at no cost to you.
~ Nos Falamos Português. Um interprete esta disponivel sem nenhum custo para você.
~ Nosotros Hablamos Español. El service un interprete es gratuito.
ROSS Coordinators
The New Bedford Housing Authority has secured funding from HUD to employ two Resident Opportunities and Self Sufficiency (ROSS) Program Coordinators. The purpose of the ROSS Coordinator program is to provide funding to hire and maintain Service Coordinators who will assess the needs of residents of conventional Public Housing and coordinate available resources in the community to meet those needs. In addition, ROSS Coordinators create cohesive strategies which incorporate both public and private resources, residential empowerment activities, and other supportive services. These services enable participating families to increase earned income, reduce and/or eliminate the need for welfare assistance, and make progress toward achieving economic independence and housing self-sufficiency.
The ROSS Coordinators are currently assigned to the Bay Village and Presidential Heights developments. The NBHA is hopeful to secure additional funding to expand our ROSS Program in the near future. If you would like more information, please contact Cindy Medina 774-762-0362 or Iris DeSena 774-762-7363.
FSS Coordinators
The Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program enables families that are assisted through the Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCVP) to increase their earned income and reduce their dependency on welfare assistance and rental subsidies. Under the FSS program, low-income families are provided opportunities for education, job training, counseling and other forms of social service assistance, while living in assisted housing, so they can obtain skills necessary to achieve self-sufficiency.
The FSS program is administered by Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) with the help of Program Coordinating Committees (PCCs). The PCC usually consists of representatives of local government, employment and job training agencies, welfare agencies, nonprofit providers, local businesses, and assisted families.
Services for FSS program participants are provided through local partnerships with employers and service providers in the community.
HCV participants who are interested in participating in the FSS program may contact Justin Barbosa at 508-997-4829 Ext. 137.
Senior Services
The New Bedford Housing Authority is committed to improving the quality of life for all of our residents, especially our seniors. We have a Resident Service Coordinator for the Elderly and Disabled working out of the Boa Vista Apartments and a Resident Service Coordinator working out of Tripp Towers. These Service Coordinators also work at our other senior developments on Caroline Street, Hillside Court, New Bedford Hotel, and Crestview.
Our Service Coordinators assist seniors with many tasks, including completing medical paperwork, referrals, and put them in contact with available services they may not be aware of. Included are visits from health professionals and other outside agencies that focus on a number of issues including nutrition and independent living.
We also try and facilitate a fun atmosphere by promoting a sense of friendship in the community; the NBHA organizes movie nights, carnival-themed events in the summer, barbecues, and holiday luncheons in our senior-oriented developments.
Section 3 Opportunities
Section 3 is a provision of the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Act of 1968 that helps foster local economic development, neighborhood economic improvement, and individual self-sufficiency. The Section 3 program requires that recipients of certain HUD financial assistance, to the greatest extent feasible, provide job training, employment, and contracting opportunities for low or very low income residents in connection with projects and activities in their neighborhoods.
- Section 3 applies to HUD-funded Public and Indian Housing assistance for development, operating, and modernization expenditures.
- Section 3 also applies to certain HUD-funded Housing and Community Development projects that complete housing rehabilitation, housing construction, and other public construction.