Brookline Candidate Profile: Jonathan Klein For Housing Authority

BROOKLINE, MA — The town election is fast approaching on Tuesday, May 5 and the Housing Authority is among the many races.

Brookline Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles leading up to election day.

Jonathan Klein is running for Brookline Housing Authority.

Age

73

Position sought

Commissioner of the Brookline Housing Authority AND TMM P17

Party affiliation

Democratic

Family

Married with two grown children and 4 grandchildren

Education

Bachelors and Law Degree from University of Michigan

Occupation

retired affordable housing lawyer

Previous or Current Elected Office

TMM P10 and P17

Campaign Website

JonathanForBrookline.com

Why are you seeking elected office?

I’m running for Brookline Housing Authority Commissioner because every resident deserves a safe, stable, and dignified home, and because, with my professional background and personal commitment, I can make a significant contribution to the future of the BHA and its residents.

I have spent my entire career working in affordable housing and community development, and I’m deeply involved in Brookline’s own housing efforts — as a Town Meeting Member, a member of the Housing Advisory Board, and Board Member of Brookline for Everyone. I’m committed to strengthening the BHA, supporting residents, and ensuring Brookline meets its responsibility to provide high-quality, affordable homes for the families who depend on it.

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​I’m running for BHA Commissioner because Brookline’s public housing deserves commissioners who understand the complexities of management, redevelopment, financing, and regulation, while always keeping the needs of residents at the center.​

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I would be honored to serve our community and support the BHA’s mission of providing high-quality, affordable homes for Brookline residents.

The single most-pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is

AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

__________ and this is what I intend to do about it.

The BHA is preparing for some of the most consequential capital and redevelopment initiatives in its history. These projects will shape the quality and availability of public housing in Brookline for decades.

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My goals as Commissioner are to:

--Support the BHA’s long-term redevelopment and modernization plan, including critical upgrades to older buildings and thoughtful redevelopment that preserves affordability, continues BHA's leadership in energy efficiency and sustainability, strengthens resident quality of life, and adds new affordable homes wherever possible.
--Bring my deep legal and financial expertise to the Board as the BHA evaluates opportunities, partnerships, financing structures, and regulatory requirements.
----Strengthen resident voices and transparency, ensuring that residents are heard and supported throughout renovation and redevelopment processes, and work with staff and residents to maintain and enhance needed resident services.
Continue Brookline’s track record of stable, sound management while positioning the Authority to take advantage of new state and federal resources.
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