Upcoming Meeting Agendas
Please Note: Board agendas are typically updated two business days before the scheduled meeting.
ESMI Agenda
KMI Agenda
Meeting Format Update
In accordance with the Declaration of Emergency by Governor Charles Baker due to the COVID-19 outbreak, which was updated on March 29, 2023 by Governor Maura Healey, the Meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the Cambridge Housing Authority will be held in person with the option of Commissioners and members of the public to participate remotely. All members of the public are invited to join the meeting virtually, as well as attend in person.
Public Comment
Members of the public may comment on agenda items for this meeting in accordance with CHA’s Policy for Public Participation at Board Meetings, which can be found on CHA’s website. Members of the public are reminded that they must sign up for public comment before the Board Meeting is called to order by logging in (calling in) to the Board meeting no later than 5:30 PM or completing the Public Comment form by clicking here.
Read the CHA Public Comment Policy here.
CHA Board Functions
CHA is governed by its five-member Board of Commissioners.
- One member is a housing authority resident.
- One member is appointed by the Governor of Massachusetts.
- The remaining three Commissioners are appointed by the Cambridge City Manager and confirmed by the Cambridge City Council.
The CHA Board oversees the Agency’s overall direction.
Board members approve all:
- Significant contract awards
- Budget decisions
- Formal submissions to state and federal funding agencies
- Planning and reporting documents
- All major policy decisions
- Many other important matters.
CHA’s Board of Commissioners meets regularly on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month. Agendas are published online on the Friday before each meeting. Board meetings are held on Zoom.
Commissioners
Elaine DeRosa
Elaine started as a college intern at the Cambridge Economic Opportunity Committee, Inc. (CEOC) in 1972 and held various positions during her career at CEOC including Community Organizer, Community Health Advocate, and Family Planning Director.
Elaine was appointed CEOC Executive Director in 1988 until her retirement in 2018. During this time, the agency successfully spearheaded numerous advocacy campaigns, public policy initiatives and programs related to affordable housing, hunger relief, health care and school-based sexuality education.
Elaine formerly served on the board of the Cambridge Health Alliance where she played an instrumental role in opening the Teen Health Center, Women’s Health Center and Birthing Center. Elaine currently is a member of the Cambridge Affordable Housing Trust.
Susan T. Connelly
Susan Connelly joined the CHA’s Board in February 2014. Ms. Connelly is the Chief Operating Officer of Housing Opportunities Unlimited, a national relocation and resident services company. Ms. Connelly has focused her 35-year career on affordable housing management, development, finance and advocacy. Ms. Connelly is a long-time Cambridge resident and the mother of two Cambridge Public School students. She is a graduate of the University of Vermont.
Marnie Gale
Marnie Gale is a Managing Director with The Craddock Group, LLC, where she leads project teams providing real estate and strategic consulting services to government clients nationwide. Based in Cambridge, she brings over 20 years of experience in affordable housing and public-sector real estate. Prior to joining The Craddock Group, she was a Senior Vice President with Jones Lang LaSalle’s Public Institutions group and a Project Manager with New York City’s Department of Housing Preservation and Development. Ms. Gale holds a Bachelor of Arts in Urban Studies from Columbia University and a Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School.
Louis Bacci III
Louis Bacci III is an experienced laborer and union steward. He has worked on high-scale construction projects in the Boston-area, most notably, at the New Balance headquarters, the Longfellow Bridge, and for Harvard University’s dorm improvements. Mr. Bacci is a lifelong Cambridge resident who is proud to give back to the city he grew up in by helping to preserve affordable housing opportunities in one of the most expensive real estate markets in the country.
C. Dale Gadsden
C Dale Gadsden is a dedicated educator, leader, and community builder whose career bridges academia, technology, and public service. A graduate of Mount Holyoke College with advanced degrees from Harvard University, she has taught African American and American Studies at institutions including Northeastern, Simmons, and Lasell University, where she currently serves as a lecturer. Alongside her academic work, Dale holds a part-time position at Apple Inc. as an Expert, where she trains and mentors sales teams and has been recognized for delivering exceptional customer experiences. A lifelong advocate for education and equity, she founded and continues to serve on the board of the Mount Holyoke Black Alumnae Society. Throughout her career, Dale has contributed to numerous committees and boards that strengthen community engagement and cohesion, reflecting her enduring commitment to empowering others through knowledge, connection, and service.
Contact
The Board of Commissioners can be reached by email or regular mail:
Cambridge Housing Authority – Board of Commissioners
362 Green Street, 3rd floor
Cambridge, MA 02139
chaboard@cambridge-housing.org