DiZoglio Files Bill in Response to North Andover Triple-Homicide

This past January, three North Andover seniors citizens were killed in their public housing complex at Foulds Terrace in North Andover.

UPDATED: Three Elderly Men Killed in Triple Homicide; One Man in Custody

In response to this tragedy, at the beginning of this year’s legislative session, State Rep. Diana DiZoglio (D-Methuen) filed legislation, House Bill 1094, which would establish a task force on elderly and disabled persons residing in public housing.

The task force would advise the Secretaries of Housing and Economic Development and Health and Human Services on best practices to ensure the safety and welfare of the elderly and disabled in public housing, including investigating efforts to maximize overall facility and individual apartment safety and security.

DiZoglio’s bill has endorsements from the North Andover and Haverhill Housing Authorities, as well as Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley, who presented testimony at the legislation’s public hearing held on July 14 before the Joint Committee on Housing.

“This bill is the first step in what I hope will be a comprehensive effort by citizens, in North Andover and across the Commonwealth, to protect our many seniors and disabled persons residing in public housing,” said DiZoglio.

The task force would report to the General Court and chairs of the Joint Committees on Elder Affairs and Mental Health and Substance Abuse the results of its investigation by 2016.

“As an experienced administrator in public and affordable housing and long-standing advocate for elderly persons and persons with disabilities, I understand the complex needs and issues that arise when mixed populations coexist in apartment settings and housing authority developments,” said Cathy Hoog, Executive Director of the North Andover Housing Authority in a statment. “With the close consideration and discussions of the proposed task force in this bill, more solutions can be reviewed and considered. It is necessary that we have these discussions and more importantly, provide solutions.”

Information and photo credit: State Rep. Diana DiZoglio (D-Methuen)