Brookline 2023 Candidate Profile: Kimberley Richardson, Housing Authority

BROOKLINE, MA – Brookline’s spring town election is coming up on Tuesday, May 2 and Brookline Patch has reached out to candidates in contested races to answer questions about why they're running.

In 2023, only races for select board, school committee (1-year term) and housing authority are contested.

Kimberley Richardson is running for housing authority in this year’s election. Here's why she’s running.

Kimberley Richardson, 54

Occupation:
I have worked in administration for over twenty-seven years for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office and the Trial Court Department. I am also a licensed, certified social worker with a Masters in Social Work from Boston University. In addition to working at the Court, I work as a therapist at the Justice Resource Institute.

Why are you seeking elective office?
I live in Brookline Housing Authority (BHA) housing, near Amory Park. I am running for the Housing Authority Board of Commissioners because BHA residents deserve more representation on the board that makes decisions that impact our homes, families, and lives. The Housing Authority Board of Commissioners is the highest decision-making body for our town’s public housing. I understand the impact the board’s decisions have on residents’ lives and what needs to be improved. I’m running because people with lived experience add value, but not just as consultants. We should have seats at the table. I have lived in BHA housing since 2012, raising my children there as a single mom and contributing to the overall Brookline community on many boards and committees and as a Precinct 2 Town Meeting Member. I have the professional and public service experience, and the critical lived experience as a BHA resident to inform every decision the board makes. I am asking for your vote because lived experience matters and representation matters. Lived experience and representation on the Housing Authority Board will make Brookline a better, more cohesive, inclusive community. You can learn more about me at: https://www.kimberley4brookline.com/

Describe the issues that define your campaign platform
My priorities are:

• Bringing the resident perspective to every decision the board makes
• Supporting transparent communication to residents
• Advocating with the State Legislature, the Select Board, and Town Meeting for funding for repairs and renovations to ensure residents have decent living conditions
• Exploring the creation of new affordable housing on BHA properties
• Ensuring that any changes to BHA properties align with the Town’s Climate Action Plan and follow environmental justice practices
• Advocating for programming and opportunities for BHA residents: recreation options for all ages, educational and job supports, and linkages to affordable home ownership opportunities

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?
I bring the lived experience of being a resident of Brookline Housing Authority housing. I can remember vividly the day I was called and told my name had risen to the top of the waitlist for housing. I was so excited. When I went to view the apartment, I couldn’t believe the condition of the property. The person showing the apartment assured me that things would be repaired by move-in date on October 15, 2012. It is now April 2023 and some of the same things that I was promised would be repaired and replaced in 2012 are in the same condition. I am running for a seat on the board because residents need a robust voice at the table—the policy and decision-making power happens at that table. I want to bring the resident perspective to the board as they make these very important decisions about residents who are my neighbors. People with lived experience should have their voices elevated because listening to them is directly connected to racial equity work, and to our shared Brookline values. I know the impact the BHA has on residents’ lives and what needs to be improved.

If you are an incumbent, how long have you served in this position and what are your major accomplishments while in office?
I am running for the first time for this position.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
In addition to bringing the perspective of being a Brookline Housing Authority resident, I bring a wealth of public service experience from serving on many Brookline town committees and boards. I am a leader on affordable housing issues. I’ll bring my personal and professional experiences to the board in addition to my experience as a BHA resident.

• Single mom living in Brookline Housing Authority
• Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW) working as a therapist at the Justice Resource Institute
• Administrator at the Roxbury Municipal Court
• Town Meeting Member in Precinct 2
• Member of the Select Board’s Housing Authority Working Group
• Member of the Affordable Housing Overlay Study Committee
• Board Member of Brookline Community Development Corporation
• Board Vice President of Women Thriving
• Board Member of Brookline for Racial Justice and Equity
• Brookline 2022 Woman of the Year

Lived experience matters. Representation matters. Change matters.