MCDA History

Background

The Marlborough Community Development Authority (MCDA), under the governance of the Mayor of Marlborough and a nine-member Board of Directors, serves as the primary community development and public housing authority for the City of Marlborough. The MCDA secures and administers resources that support affordable housing, neighborhood improvements, and assistance programs for youth, elderly, and families. The Board oversees both Community Development and Housing. The Mayor of Marlborough chairs the MCDA.

According to Massachusetts General Law, two of the board members must be the City Auditor and the Comptroller, both of whom are non-voting members. Additionally, one board member is appointed by the Governor of Massachusetts, and one member must be a tenant in one of the MCDA’s public housing programs. The law also mandates that the board include a representative from the real estate community and a representative from a financial or banking institution.

Legal Authority

Established in 1952, the Marlborough Public Housing Authority merged with the Marlborough Development Authority in 1979 to form the current Marlborough Community Development Authority. The MCDA functions as an urban renewal agency within the meaning of M.G.L. c.121B, an Economic Development and Industrial Corporation within the meaning of M.G.L. c.121C, and a Community Development Authority created by Special Act in 1979 (Chapter 327), as amended by Chapter 380 of the Special Acts of 2004, and Chapter 395 of the Special Acts of 2008.

Programs 

The MCDA consists of two major divisions: Public/Leased Housing and Community Development. The Public/Leased Housing Division owns and manages 227 units within three state public housing developments and oversees 135 U.S. Housing & Urban Development (HUD) portable Section 8 vouchers, as well as Massachusetts DMH and AHVP vouchers. The Community Development Division administers the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, Local Initiative Program (LIP) properties, the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP), 30B affordable housing properties, and other related programs.