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The Dedham Housing Authority (DHA) has officially released its Proposed Annual Plan for Fiscal Year 2027. Designed to offer a transparent look into local state-aided public housing operations, budgets, and upcoming infrastructure choices, the plan serves as a roadmap for the community's housing future. Whether you are a tenant looking to understand property upgrades or a community member wanting to stay informed, here is a breakdown of the key highlights from the upcoming plan. Mark Your Calendar: Public Hearing Details Community feedback is a vital part of the annual planning cycle. DHA is hosting a hybrid public hearing to review the elements of the plan, answer questions, and collect public remarks. When: July 14, 2026, at 4:45 PM Where: Physically at the Main Office (163 Dedham Boulevard, Dedham, MA 02026) or virtually via Zoom. Zoom Info: Meeting ID: 853 7351 9274 | Passcode: 420280 Deadlines to Know: If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate, requests must be submitted by July 7, 2026, at 4:00 PM. Standard public comments are welcome right up until the close of the hearing. Inside the Portfolio: Who DHA Serves Led by Executive Director Carrie Moore and Board Chair Donna Brown, the DHA manages a robust local housing network. State-Aided Housing Inventory The Details: DHA oversees 309 state-aided public housing units. This includes elderly and disabled developments—such as Doggett Circle (80 units), O'Neil Drive (100 units), and Parkway Court (24 units)—along side family developments like Parker Staples Rd (26 units) and East Dedham Family (77 units). Sec 1.1-Overview & Certification, Page 1 & 2 of 4 Federal Voucher Programs The Details: Beyond state housing, the authority manages federally assisted public housing developments and rental subsidy vouchers that currently serve an additional 579 local households. Sec 1.1-Overview & Certification, Page 1 of 4 Modernizing Infrastructure: Capital Improvement Projects Preserving safe, sanitary, and high-quality living environments means constantly investing in modern upgrades. Backed by $501,571.99 in state Formula Funding, DHA has outlined targeted upgrades for the upcoming year. Proposed FY 2027 Infrastructure Projects The Details: The FY27 proposed project spending totals $582,405.00. Major highlights include a merged intercom replacement project for Doggett Circle and O'Neil Drive ($242,000.00), bottom siding and trim replacement at Parker Staples Rd ($193,600.00), security cameras at Parkway Court ($40,250.00), and new mailboxes at Doggett Circle ($45,375.00). Sec. 2 CIP Overview & Funding, Page 5 Advocating for Local Paving Needs The Details: In the formal plan commentary, DHA management directly flags a long-standing grievance. A critical paving project at Doggett Circle, Parkway Court, and O'Neil Drive has been stuck in state schematic design since 2023, and local leadership is actively pushing the state for assistance to get construction moving. Sec. 2- CIP Overview & Funding, Page 11 Operational Snapshot: Turnovers & Financial Health Good management is all about balancing the books while keeping empty units filled quickly. DHA relies on PHA Web software to log and manage maintenance requests efficiently. Turnover and Leasing Realities The Details: DHA processed 20 unit turnovers last year. While the maintenance team successfully made units move-in ready in a prompt average of 38 days, the total time to fully lease a unit stretched to 117 days. Management notes this lag is heavily tied to the procedural waitlist cycles of the state's CHAMP system. Section 3.1 - Maintenance Overview, Pages 4, 5 & 6 of 7 Strong Operating Reserves The Details: Financially, the authority reported a stable 2025 fiscal cycle, generating $2,732,776.00 in total revenue against $2,401,716.00 in total expenses. They concluded the year with $848,956.00 in their Operating Reserve, keeping the agency highly solvent at 68.69% of the state's maximum threshold. Sec. 4.1 - Annual Operating Budget, Pages 1, 2, 4 & 5 of 13 State Audit Check-In: The Latest PMR Ratings Every two years, the state conducts a Performance Management Review (PMR) to verify regulatory compliance. In the latest published report, Dedham achieved top marks ("No Findings") across a majority of physical operations metrics, including perfect turnaround work order accuracy and 100% emergency response compliance within 48 hours. However, the audit highlighted a few areas targeted for administrative improvement: Tenant Accounts Receivable (TAR) Corrective Action The Details: The family housing segment received an underwhelming rating due to delinquent balances. The state recommended exploring more flexible electronic rent collection options, evaluating old uncollectible lines, and working closely with tenants before balances escalate. PMR Desk Audit Recommendations Report (Pages marked Report Date: 11/21/2024) CHAMP Portal Updates The Details: DHA received an "Operational Guidance" flag regarding vacancy tracking, prompting a recommendation to ensure all local unit vacancies are completely entered into the state portal within the required 30-day window. CHAMP Close Out Report (Page marked Report Date: 11/21/2024)