Posted on October 1, 2025
BOSTON --- During a panel discussion at the annual conference of the Massachusetts National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (MassNAHRO) MHP Senior Advisor and Real Estate Development Officer Laura Shufelt explained how regardless of staff size and budget, housing authorities have an opportunity to build affordable housing.
MHP Senior Real Estate Development Officer Carsten Snow-Eikelberg served as moderator for the panel, “Development Isn’t Just for the Big Guys—How Small and Mid-sized PHA’s Can Build Big.”
In addition to Shufelt, panelists included representatives of small, medium, and large housing authorities.
“There are lots of housing authorities who have part-time staff with a lot of responsibilities,” Shufelt said before the overflow crowd, “so they think they can’t take on anything else and we were there to talk about how we can help.”
She discussed best practices for housing authorities looking to use vacant land for development, how to follow applicable laws and regulations, and how MHP's technical assistance grant programs can help housing authorities assess their development opportunities. A recent example is Whittlesey Village in Acton. MHP provided technical assistance to the town during the early stages of the process and is a permanent lender in the amount of $1.9 million. Whittlesey Village is a new construction of 12 affordable rental units in six duplex buildings.
“It was well received,” Shufelt said of the MassNAHRO panel presentation, “and I think they came away with a better understanding of how they could move forward,” Shufelt added.
MassNAHRO, a leader in connecting public agencies of all sizes, state and federal, to resources necessary to achieve professional success, provides support, education and advocacy for member agencies to ensure the preservations, protection, and expansion of public and affordable housing.
For press inquiries, contact MHP Communications Manager Lisa Braxton.