About Us
About us
The West Hartford Housing Authority’s programs are administered in accordance with regulations of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. A five-member Board of Commissioners establishes the policies and mission. The West Hartford Town Council appoints all members.
Mission Statement
The Mission of the West Hartford Housing Authority is to create, preserve, revitalize and pursue affordable housing and community development opportunities that serve a diverse mix of households. The core efforts of the Authority will be focused in West Hartford, and through our affiliate Trout Brook Realty Advisors we will entertain, through partnerships or through consultative services, affordable housing activity throughout the State of Connecticut.
The WHHA seeks to promote a viable and dynamic community through its leadership and collaborative activities, and will continue to focus on maintaining and managing quality housing and providing residential services that afford our residents the opportunity to achieve personal growth and financial independence.
Vision Statement
- Expand housing options for a continuum of household income ranges and ages.
- Maintain and expand our internal organizational capabilities and increase our financial independence.
- Continue to foster sustainable community connections in West Hartford and be seen as a “go-to” property development advisor and problem solver for small to mid-sized housing authorities and/or communities across the state.
- Promote access to services that enhance and enable residents to achieve self-sufficiency.
- Promote real estate development opportunities that foster access for our residents to jobs, shopping, medical care and entertainment.
Board of Commissioners
A Board of Commissioners establishes the policies and mission of the West Hartford Housing Authority.
- Milagros Acosta – Commissioner
- Jill Corrado – Executive Director / Secretary
- Byron Dorchester – Commissioner
- Clare Dowd – Chairperson
- Rayan Rahman – Resident Commissioner
- Lee Reynolds – Commissioner
Staff Contacts
| Acevedo, Beatrice | FSS Coordinator | (860) 866-3562 |
| Bagdasarian, Gary | Resident Service Coordinator, Alfred E. Plant | (860) 462-7368 |
| Beauchamp, Cory | Maintenance Technician | |
| Berwick, Forest | Director of Operations | (860) 953-0002 |
| Blanchard, Dorcas | Accounting Specialist | (860) 953-0002 |
| Cano-Avila, Dora | Housing Specialist | (860) 578-5193 |
| Colon, Irma | Resident Services Coordinator, Elm Grove Elderly Apartments and The Faxon Apartments | (860) 500-0021 |
| Corrado, Jill | Executive Director | (860) 953-0002 |
| Daly, Otmar | Maintenance Technician | |
| Vacant | Property Manager, Alfred E Plant & Elm Grove Elderly Apartments | (860) 990-1996 |
| Garcia, Carolyn | JDA Programs Senior Manager | (860) 578-5202 |
| Hakim, Roman | Property Manager, The Goodwin & The Faxon Apartments | (860) 734-7846 |
| Hill, Kasina | Resident Services Coordinator, The Lofts at 616 | (860) 734-7845 |
| Huertas, Katherine | Housing Specialist | (860) 352-6607 |
| Mable, Tim | Director of Property Management | (860) 734-7844 |
| Malczynski, John | Maintenance Supervisor | |
| Mora, Yadira | Director of Voucher Programs | (860) 578-7466 |
| Moye, Catrina | WHHA Voucher Programs Manager | (860) 578-5339 |
| Ortiz, Luis | Maintenance Supervisor | |
| Peguro, Lidia “Pam” | Administrative Assistant | (860) 953-0002 |
| Ramos, Teri | Property Manager, The Lofts at 616 New Park and The Residences at 540 New Park | (860) 500-0056 |
| Raza, Omar | Accounting Specialist | (860) 940-1669 |
| Rodrigez De’Aza, Christnely | Compliance Specialist | (860) 381-1930 |
| Roldan, Jannellie | Housing Specialist | (860) 578-7543 |
| Romero, Hector | Housing Specialist | (860) 578-3043 |
| Sibblies, Yanique | Accounting Specialist | (860) 578-7971 |
| Teneyck, Adam | Director of Finance | (860) 578-5220 |
| Thurston, David | Maintenance Technician | |
| Wynn, Randy | Housing Specialist | (860) 578-5077 |
Rental Assistance Programs:
Housing Choice Voucher Programs (HCV)
The Housing Choice Voucher program currently assists thousands of households. Through this program, the WHHA disburses millions of dollars annually to private landlords on behalf of Housing Choice Voucher participants.
The Housing Choice Voucher program is administered using the following guidelines:
- Not less than 75% of new admissions must be extremely low-income families with incomes at or below 30% of median income
- During initial lease up or when moving with current assistance to a new unit, a family may not pay more than 40% of adjusted income towards the total rent and utilities
- Participants select their own apartment with a private landlord
- Each apartment must meet housing quality standards and rent reasonableness
- The WHHA pays the landlord a housing assistance payment each month that is a calculation of the difference between the resident’s share and the approved payment standard
- Participants must have been a West Hartford resident for at least one year prior to utilizing portability
Department of Housing (DOH) Programs
The WHHA administers all the necessary services related to lease up, re-certification and interim activities. Caseworkers follow the Housing Choice Voucher Administrative Plan and the CT RAP Administrative Plan outlined by the Department of Housing. The West Hartford Housing Authority is currently managing over 2,100 Housing Choice Vouchers and Rental Assistance Program Certificates.
These vouchers are transferable to other DOH subcontractor agencies within the State of Connecticut. HAP payments to landlords in this program are not issued from the WHHA main office.
Trout Brook Realty Advisors
What is a public housing authority/agency (PHA)?
A PHA is a public agency charged with providing safe, sanitary and decent housing to the most vulnerable populations in their community. This includes low-income families, especially those at risk of homelessness, as well as the elderly and disabled.
Although housing authorities have a strong relationship with local, state, and federal governments, they are actually independent agencies. Chartered under state law, a housing authority is an autonomous, not-for-profit public corporation. This organizational structure allows housing authorities to work in conjunction with local governments and agencies to develop long-term housing strategies for communities.
Though independently run, housing authorities are required to follow federal regulations. In addition, housing authorities receive a subsidy from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). In some States, housing authorities receive funds from state or operate separate housing programs not directly subsidized by a government agency.
What type of housing assistance is available?
PHAs mostly administer housing programs funded by the U.S. Department of HUD, typically Federal Public Housing, Project Based and Housing Choice vouchers. PHAs may also administer State funded programs as well as other programs funded locally.
Department of Housing (DOH) Programs
Eligibility is dependent on the program which you are applying for. Typically PHAs have housing programs specifically for low-income families, veterans, the disabled and elderly. Low-Income ranges are published yearly by HUD and are dependent on family size and location.
Am I eligible for housing assistance?
PHAs require an application be submitted to determine eligibility. In most cases, applications are added to a waiting list due to the high demand for low-income housing in many communities.