Our Residents

The Springfield Housing Authority Board of Commissioners is complete now with the appointment of Jessica Quiñonez, a long-time resident at Jennie Lane Apartments.

Quiñonez was nominated by Mayor Domenic J. Sarno. The Springfield City Council unanimously approved the choice on June 3, and Quiñonez was officially sworn in later that week.

She will attend her first monthly BOC meeting on June 25.

Newly appointed SHA Board of Commission member Jessica Quiñonez stands in front of the community garden at Jennie Lane Apartments, where she lives.

As the commissioner’s resident member, Quiñonez replaces Eugenia Choiniere, who died in December.

Quiñonez has lived at Jennie Lane since 2007, and became active on the residents’ council there two years later. She worked closely with Choiniere, serving as secretary and vice president. She has been president since early this year.

Quiñonez said she plans to be a thorough and strong voice for all SHA tenants in her new position.

“I’m excited. I can’t wait to get involved on the board. I’m ready for a new chapter in my life, and I’m ready to be a part of something big,” she said.

As a commissioner, Quiñonez will help run the largest affordable housing agency in Western Massachusetts.

Board of Commissioners Chairman Raymond Warren said he looks forward to working with Quiñonez.

“I am very pleased that Jessica Quiñonez has been appointed and confirmed,” Warren said.

“She will fill the term of the late Jenny Choiniere. Those are big shoes to fill, but I think she will live up to the standard her predecessor set. Jessica is a very enthusiastic, positive person with substantial leadership experience. I am delighted that Mayor Sarno and the City Council saw fit to fill this vacancy with such a high quality person. The SHA is a complex organization that requires skilled board members to provide direction. I think we have a very good board that just got better,” Warren said.

SHA Executive Director William H. Abrashkin welcomed Quiñonez on the board, saying she will bring the residents’ perspective to issues facing members.

“Jessica brings to the board a deep commitment to our residents, to the City of Springfield, and to the work of the SHA.  We all look forward very much to working with her in the months and years ahead,” Abrashkin said.

“I’d also like to thank Bill Baker of Mayor Sarno’s staff for his assistance and responsiveness in serving as liaison with the Mayor’s office in this process, and a special thanks to Councilor Bud L. Williams for managing the process before the City Council and for his kind words about the SHA at the hearing,” Abrashkin added.

An active residents’ association helps keep Jennie Lane looking beautiful. Quiñonez will continue to serve as its president.

As president of the residents’ council at Jennie Lane, Quiñonez has helped establish a new community garden, as well as a lending library. She has also worked to make the community center more welcoming to all residents.

“I like helping people,” she said. “I think it helps that I’m fluent in Spanish. I think I’ve been able to make everyone feel welcome. People are now willing to step out and do things for the better of all of us.”

The BOC has five members, including one appointed by the governor, and four by the mayor. Of the mayoral appointees, one must be an SHA resident, and another must be a member of a regional labor union. All must be city residents.