Madera Housing Authority has new executive director

Wendy Alexander/The Madera Tribune

Massey Casper is the new executive director of the Madera Housing Authority.

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Officially, on Oct. 26, the City of Madera appointed its new Housing Authority Executive Director — Massey Casper.

After a nationwide search that saw many strong candidates, Casper was chosen by Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the  City of Madera (HACM).

Massey’s new role will encompass managing  and directing all functions of the  Housing Agency. The  Executive Director  is entrusted with  authority  to carry out policies, direct and supervise the staff, plus propose any changes in the organization or staff procedure to the best interest and development of the  agency’s  program.

Massey is passionate about being of service to the community at large, being a vocal advocate for the resident population they serve and finding innovative  solutions/partnerships to develop and preserve affordable housing.

And with a community eager to bring more affordable housing, Casper’s experience, and willingness to work with the community will be a positive fit.

Massey’s career before making the trip to Madera spanned across the United States. From Oregon to Rhode Island, Casper’s resume speaks for itself.

Prior to joining HACM, Massey worked at Housing Authorities in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Oregon in various  capacities.

He was an Executive Director at Housing Authority of Yamhill County, Oregon,  overseeing the operational, financial, and programmatic management of HAYC’s 17-million-dollar budget.

Casper managed 40 employees, while providing assistance to almost 2,000 local families monthly (1,425 HCV/Sec 8 and 584 owned/operated units).

The largest challenge he was entrusted was at Providence Housing Authority in Rhode Island as an Associate Director of Facilities Management.

Casper administered and implemented a comprehensive program of corrective and  preventative maintenance for the third largest housing authority in New England consisting  of 2,600 public housing apartments.

Massey also served as Director of Finance and  Administration for the Marlborough Community Development Authority and as Senior Asset  Manager for Madison Park Development Corporation

Massey was also employed as a Financial Analyst for Winn  Residential. He has an MBA from Johnson and Wales in Rhode Island and has  certifications from the Project Management Institute, Massachusetts NAHRO, National  Apartment Association and NeighborWorks America. 

Madera County’s new executive director will be working with many different programs designed to assist the people living within Madera County.

Massey will oversee the CalWORKs Temporary Homeless Assistance (THA) and Permanent Homeless Assistance (PHA) program, which were developed to assist eligible and or potentially-eligible CalWORKs families, who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness, to secure permanent housing, prevent eviction by payment of arrearages, or provide temporary shelter while the families seeks permanent housing.

In order to be eligible, Madera County residents must be eligible to or receiving CalWORKs benefits, have $100 or less in nonexempt liquid resources, meet the definition of homeless and have not received housing assistance in the past 12 months, unless an exception is met.

During these unprecedented times, COVID-19 has plunged more and more residents into a red area that might threaten both their jobs and their homes.

The unemployment rate in the Madera County was 8.5 percent in October 2020, down from a revised 9.2 percent in September 2020, and above the year-ago estimate of 5.6 percent, according to Employment Development Department for the state of California.

For the community of Madera, unemployment rates reached 17 percent back in April of 2020 and with the rise in COVID-19 positive cases and the back and forth into the Purple Tier, Casper’s job becomes increasingly important.

But, with programs like the Housing Support Program, Madera County residents have a lifeline and a head who is willing to do what it takes to help the community he serves.

The Housing Support Program (HSP) promotes housing stability for families in the CalWORKs program. All eligible CalWORKs families are able to receive HSP regardless of their assets or income levels.

A family meets eligibility requirements by receiving CalWORKs and in order to be considered for HSP you must be referred by a member of the Department or through a partner agency.