Arlington’s Jennifer Raitt Receives Housing Hero Award

ARLINGTON, MA — The Massachusetts Housing Partnership (MHP) has honored Jennifer Raitt, Arlington’s former Director of Planning and Community Development, with one of its Housing Hero Awards for her dedication to affordable and fair housing during her many years of public service.

Raitt received the award on June 8 in a virtual awards ceremony at MHP’s 15th Housing Institute, a two-day training conference for local officials and volunteers.

MHP is a state organization that uses bank funds and other capital sources to support and finance affordable housing. Each year, it recognizes communities and individuals for excellence in affordable housing.

“Your expertise in both housing policy and planning are key to move housing forward in ways that strive to repair past and present harms,” Laura Shufelt, MHP’s community assistance director, said in a statement. “We have always seen you as a leading voice on fair housing, and people like you are crucial as we move forward efforts to build homes for people in Massachusetts and around the country.”

Raitt has spent most of her career in planning and community development, including six years for the Town of Amesbury, nine years at the Metropolitan Area Planning Council, and her most recent stint as Arlington’s planning and community development director.

During her time in Arlington, Raitt drove several planning and housing-related initiatives, including a housing plan, a fair housing plan, and plans for arts and culture, net zero, and sustainable transportation. She also brought a bus priority lane to East Arlington, recodified zoning, secured multiple grants and oversaw the renovations of two parks.

In addition, Raitt chaired committees for the American Planning Association that led the organization to adopt policy guides on housing and aging in community, including elevating polices about fair housing choice.

“Jennifer has a good way of not letting people off the hook,” said Arlington’s town manager Adam Chapdelaine in a statement. “She’s always thinking about what the next step should be.”

Raitt was one of four to receive Housing Hero Awards from MHP this year. Also honored were the City of Chelsea, the Town of Wellfleet, and Engine 6, a community of Newton residents dedicated to expanding housing availability in Newton.

“This award inspires me to continue to be a champion for local change and addressing the nation's housing crisis,” Raitt said in a statement. “This inspires me to advocate for and allocate resources equitably, to create and implement housing policy, and to keep speaking up for housing in my community and beyond.”