2 seats
(2 year term- Janice)
(4 year term- Odessa)
The Wellesley Housing Authority (WHA) is a State and federally funded public housing authority in Wellesley, Massachusetts. The WHA’s property portfolio consists of 233 State-aided units, including both family and senior developments, and 14 Federal Section 8 rental vouchers. The WHA manages a total of 247 rental units or housing opportunities.
Q1. What do you suggest the Housing Authority do - perhaps in collaboration with Sustainable Wellesley - to further advocate for the residents of the Housing Authority in terms of environmental justice?
Odessa M.B. Sanchez
A1. To further advocate for residents through an environmental justice lens, the Housing Authority can build on existing sustainability efforts by aligning closely with the Commonwealth’s public housing sustainability guidelines and deepening collaboration with partners such as Sustainable Wellesley.
First, the Housing Authority can prioritize projects that directly benefit residents who are most vulnerable to climate impacts—such as electrification, improved ventilation, and building envelope upgrades that reduce energy costs while improving indoor air quality and thermal comfort. Pursuing programs like LEAN ( Low - Income Energy Affordability Network) and other state incentives helps ensure these upgrades are implemented without increasing costs - but to be clear there are currently no WHA tenants that pay for energy/utilities. Therefore, any energy savings from sustainability improvements would be savings for the WHA.
Second, a formal partnership with Sustainable Wellesley could support resident-focused education and engagement. This might include workshops or informational sessions on energy efficiency, healthy indoor environments, and climate resilience, designed to be accessible and responsive to resident needs. Resident input should be actively incorporated into sustainability planning to ensure projects reflect lived experience and address real concerns.
Third, the Housing Authority can advocate for environmental justice by using its voice at the state and regional level—sharing data, outcomes, and lessons learned from local projects to help shape future public housing sustainability policies and funding priorities. Coordinating with Sustainable Wellesley on grant applications, pilot programs, or public-facing advocacy can further amplify this impact.
Overall, by pairing state-guided sustainable improvements with strong community partnerships and resident engagement, the Housing Authority can ensure that climate action not only reduces emissions but also advances equity, health, affordability, and quality of life for public housing residents.
Q2. Town Meeting passed the Select Board’s Resolution to Address the Impact of Climate Change in 2020. How do you envision this resolution being carried out by the Housing Authority during your term?
Odessa M.B. Sanchez
A2. During my term, I envision the Housing Authority carrying out the Select Board’s 2020 Resolution to Address the Impact of Climate Change by embedding sustainability into both capital planning and day-to-day operations. With the recent establishment of a position dedicated to sustainability improvements, WHA has already begun taking concrete steps to reduce emissions and improve energy efficiency across the existing properties.
Current initiatives include exploring a transition from gas boilers to electric heat pumps at Morton Circle and Washington Street, supported by an application for LEAN ( The Low-Income Energy Affordability Network) funding. If implemented, this would be a significant move toward electrification while also improving resident comfort through more efficient heating and cooling. Additional projects underway—such as electrification upgrades, improved kitchen exhaust systems, and replacement of exterior doors—further support energy efficiency and reduced environmental impact.
(2 year term- Janice)
(4 year term- Odessa)
The Wellesley Housing Authority (WHA) is a State and federally funded public housing authority in Wellesley, Massachusetts. The WHA’s property portfolio consists of 233 State-aided units, including both family and senior developments, and 14 Federal Section 8 rental vouchers. The WHA manages a total of 247 rental units or housing opportunities.
Q1. What do you suggest the Housing Authority do - perhaps in collaboration with Sustainable Wellesley - to further advocate for the residents of the Housing Authority in terms of environmental justice?
Odessa M.B. Sanchez
A1. To further advocate for residents through an environmental justice lens, the Housing Authority can build on existing sustainability efforts by aligning closely with the Commonwealth’s public housing sustainability guidelines and deepening collaboration with partners such as Sustainable Wellesley.
First, the Housing Authority can prioritize projects that directly benefit residents who are most vulnerable to climate impacts—such as electrification, improved ventilation, and building envelope upgrades that reduce energy costs while improving indoor air quality and thermal comfort. Pursuing programs like LEAN ( Low - Income Energy Affordability Network) and other state incentives helps ensure these upgrades are implemented without increasing costs - but to be clear there are currently no WHA tenants that pay for energy/utilities. Therefore, any energy savings from sustainability improvements would be savings for the WHA.
Second, a formal partnership with Sustainable Wellesley could support resident-focused education and engagement. This might include workshops or informational sessions on energy efficiency, healthy indoor environments, and climate resilience, designed to be accessible and responsive to resident needs. Resident input should be actively incorporated into sustainability planning to ensure projects reflect lived experience and address real concerns.
Third, the Housing Authority can advocate for environmental justice by using its voice at the state and regional level—sharing data, outcomes, and lessons learned from local projects to help shape future public housing sustainability policies and funding priorities. Coordinating with Sustainable Wellesley on grant applications, pilot programs, or public-facing advocacy can further amplify this impact.
Overall, by pairing state-guided sustainable improvements with strong community partnerships and resident engagement, the Housing Authority can ensure that climate action not only reduces emissions but also advances equity, health, affordability, and quality of life for public housing residents.
Q2. Town Meeting passed the Select Board’s Resolution to Address the Impact of Climate Change in 2020. How do you envision this resolution being carried out by the Housing Authority during your term?
Odessa M.B. Sanchez
A2. During my term, I envision the Housing Authority carrying out the Select Board’s 2020 Resolution to Address the Impact of Climate Change by embedding sustainability into both capital planning and day-to-day operations. With the recent establishment of a position dedicated to sustainability improvements, WHA has already begun taking concrete steps to reduce emissions and improve energy efficiency across the existing properties.
Current initiatives include exploring a transition from gas boilers to electric heat pumps at Morton Circle and Washington Street, supported by an application for LEAN ( The Low-Income Energy Affordability Network) funding. If implemented, this would be a significant move toward electrification while also improving resident comfort through more efficient heating and cooling. Additional projects underway—such as electrification upgrades, improved kitchen exhaust systems, and replacement of exterior doors—further support energy efficiency and reduced environmental impact.