HACA Housing Commission

Next Regular Meeting: Wednesday, June 8, 2022 at 8:00 a.m.

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A Message From HACA’s Executive Director

I learned a lesson many years ago from a friend and leader who was incessantly proactive.  When someone under his charge would carry out a successful project bringing both efficiency and cost savings, he would react with instant praise.  However, the praise would quickly be followed with a pointed question, “and what are we going to do with the time and money we save?”  He had already moved on to the next challenge and how to reinvest resources to meet that challenge.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect our lives, as well as the important work we do at HACA, I think about this concept of being “incessantly proactive.”  We’ve made changes in how we operate and will continue to do so.  Many of these changes were made necessary by the pandemic.  Most will continue long after the pandemic because they make sense and bring efficiencies and cost savings.  To which my friend would say, “and what are you going to do with the time and money saved”.  The simple answer:  serve more people in better ways.

Speaking about COVID-19, Jeffrey R. Holland said, “When we have conquered it — and we will — may we be equally committed to freeing the world from the virus of hunger and freeing neighborhoods and nations from the virus of poverty.”  That’s being incessantly proactive. 

HACA, along with other Public Housing Authorities, cities, counties, and states, has received vital funds allocated by Congress to meet the enormous challenges of the pandemic.  We have used these dollars to make changes in how we operate and to serve more people through programs like HUD’s new Emergency Housing Voucher initiative.  At HACA we’re also focused on working with area non-profit housing developers to expand the supply of affordable housing in Alameda County through the allocation of Project-based Housing Vouchers.  When one project achieves full funding and breaks ground, we’re already thinking about how we can support others.  That’s being incessantly proactive.

The reality is the work of HACA will never truly be finished.  But that’s not a reason for discouragement.  While poverty, homelessness, injustice, and racial inequity exists, we remain committed to be incessantly proactive in addressing these challenges head on.  We’re grateful for those who partner with us in our efforts.

Stay well,

Kurt Wiest, Executive Director

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Employment at HACA

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