Ray Mariano to Step Down as Director of Housing Authority Next Year

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

GoLocalWorcester News Team

On Wednesday morning, Worcester Housing Authority Director Ray Mariano announced that he will be stepping down from his position in June 2016.

Mariano, one of GoLocalWorcester's 14 Who Made a Difference in 2014, has been head of the WHA for 14 years.

Last spring, Mariano presented changes to 'A Better Life,' a reform program that would benefit public housing residents in Worcester. The Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) originally approved the plan. However, when Mariano announced the changes to WHA, HUD abruptly changed their mind and put an end to the changes.

The current program is based on six requirements including an intensive case management program, school and work requirements, community service, rent savings, life skills training, and school-aged children attending school.

Under the revised program's requirements, at least one member of the family would have to work or go to school for at least 1,200 hours a year. Less than ten percent of the people on the waiting list wanted to sign up to attend school or find a job.

In September, Governor-elect Charlie Baker supported Mariano's plan and appreciated Mariano's 'time-limit' plan to move residents into the workforce and into apartments of their own.