Coalition for a Better Acre

Street Address:
517 Moody Street
3rd Floor
Lowell, MA 01854


Phone: 978-452-7523
Fax: 978-452-4923
Website: www.cbacre.org

Emily Weitzman-Rosenbaum, Executive Director

Contact Name: Suzanne Frechette
Phone: 978-452-7523
Fax:
Email: suzanne.frechette@cbacre.org


Staff Size: Full Time: 9    Part Time: 1

Background
Coalition for a Better Acre was incorporated in 1982 as an effort to create quality affordable housing in a neighborhood of Lowell called the Acre. The neighborhood’s high concentration of substandard housing stock is affordable to new immigrants, who are primarily Cambodian and Latino. Of the Acre’s population of 12,700, 41 percent live below the poverty line and only 17 percent own homes.

Mission
The Coalition for a Better Acre is a membership based community developemnt corporation dedicated to resident empowerment and sustainable community revitalization for current and future residents of Lowell. We promote healthy, vibrant neighborhoods by developing resident leaders, affordable housing and economic opportunities, and by responding to community needs through collective action.

Total Operating Expense (9/30/2007): $7,229,241

 Lines of Business
  • Asset and Property Management

  • Community Based Economic Development

  • Community Building and Organizing

  • Real Estate Development


    • National NeighborWorks ® Programs
  • NeighborWorks Community Building and Organizing
  • NeighborWorks Multifamily Initiative

    • Accomplishments in FY 2008
  • Provided 0 families with pre- and post- purchase housing counseling.
  • Rehabilitated or repaired 10 rental or owner occupied units (1-4 units).
  • Assisted 1 families in purchasing a home through homeownership counseling, downpayment, closing cost or financing assistance.
  • Owned or managed 380 rental units.
  • Invested $ in the community through Coalition for a Better Acre's revolving loan fund, which leveraged $6,128,055 from conventional lenders and other sources.
  • Total direct investment in the community is $6,128,055.

    • Additional Accomplishments
    Date Additional Accomplishment
    1/17/2001 FY2001 - Provided job training to 28 individuals for environmental clean-up and computer service technician positions.
    1/12/2005 2002-Moody Street Center Conversion of historically significant former St. Joseph's Convent into a large community center for North Canal residents with two floors of new office space above. The building was restored according to historic preservation standards.
    1/12/2005 2003-252 Fletcher Street A new duplex was built for two first-time homebuyers on a corner lot with off-street parking and yards. This project continued the improvement of the Fletcher Street neighborhood that was begun with the 198-242 Fletcher Street project and which was further continued with the Liberty Sqaure project in the building at 63 Fletcher Street.
    1/19/2005 Managed EPA Brownsfield Grant to train low-income adults to become Environmental Technicians. 14 graduated in March 2004 and 12 adults graduated in July 2004. In January 2005, 14 more students enrolled and are expected to graduate in April 2005. Another class in May 2005 will be conducted Program offered palcement assistance with a 90 % success rate. Canal Fish grant , to educate local fishermen about health hazards of canal fish consumption and suggested safe cooking methods. EPA Collaborative Problem Solving grant was awarded in May 2004 to CBA and two other partners UML and LCHC to educate the community on solid waste and indoor pollution issues.
    1/19/2005 Managed EPA Brownsfield Grant to train low-income adults to become Environmental Technicians. 14 graduated in March 2004 and 12 adults graduated in July 2004. In January 2005, 14 more students enrolled and are expected to graduate in April 2005. Another class in May 2005 will be conducted Program offered palcement assistance with a 90 % success rate. Canal Fish grant , to educate local fishermen about health hazards of canal fish consumption and suggested safe cooking methods. EPA Collaborative Problem Solving grant was awarded in May 2004 to CBA and two other partners UML and LCHC to eduacte the community on solid waste and indoor pollution issues.
    6/17/2006 Launch of the city-wide Our C.A.S.A. (Community Action to Support Affordability) Affordable Housing & Transportation Campaign. The campaign addresses the affordable housing needs and solutions in Lowell and focuses on the following local policy areas: * Healthy & Affordable Housing * Support Affordable Housing through Inclusionary Zoning * Public and Alternative Forms of Transportation * Abandoned Properties and Empty Lots * Section 8 - CBA is joining local and national organizations in support of the Working Family Agenda.
    7/16/2009 _

    Community Services
  • Community Building

  •  Clean-up Project

  •  Community Outreach and Organizing

  •  Community Planning

  • Financial Planning and Assistance

  •  Foreclosure Prevention Training

  • Green Building and Home Improvement

  •  Environmental Friendly Building Materials


    • Board of Directors
    NameBoard Role/TitleSectorCompany/OrganizationJob Title
    Adam BaackeBoard Secretary; Board MemberLocal GovernmentCity of Lowell 
    Myrna CarrascoBoard MemberResident  
    Maria ClaudioBoard MemberResident  
    Taya Dixon-MullaneBoard MemberResident  
    Myriam ErcolaniBoard MemberResident  
    Mark GoldmanBoard Member At LargeResident  
    Carlos GonzalezBoard MemberResident  
    Sengly KongBoard MemberNon-Profit InstitutionCambodian Mutual Assistance Association 
    Elsa LaboyBoard MemberResident  
    Elkin MontoyaBoard President; Board Member At LargeResident  
    Dave OuelletteBoard MemberResident  
    Jesus RiveraBoard Member; Board Member At LargeResident  
    Cheryl StaffordBoard MemberBusinessEnterprise Bank & Trust 
    Charles V SullivanBoard MemberBusinessCuilla, Dixon @Co. LLC 
    James E Taggart OMIBoard TreasurerResidentSt. Patricks Church 

    About the NeighborWorks ® Network
    The NeighborWorks® network is a nationwide network of more than 240 community development organizations working in nearly 4358 urban, suburban and rural communities across America. These organizations engage in revitalization strategies that strengthen communities and transform lives. In the last five years alone, NeighborWorks® organizations have generated more than $8.5 billion in reinvestment and helped more than 500,000 families of modest means purchase or improve their homes or secure safe, decent rental or mutual housing.

    NeighborWorks ® America Contact Information
    District:  New England
    Name:  Frances Cinicola
    Phone:  617-585-5027
    Toll-Free:  
    Fax:  617-450-0427
    Email:  fcinicola@nw.org