Ex-Hoboken Councilman David Mello Elected Housing Authority Chair

HOBOKEN, NJ — Former Hoboken councilman Dave Mello was elected as the new chair of the Hoboken Housing Authority board on Thursday evening. The two-term former councilman said he was “humbled and honored” by his new duties.

Mello wrote on social media:

“I'm really looking forward to a productive year of working with my colleagues and of serving my neighbors who live in our Housing Authority in this new role. Also really looking forward to a year of working with our Executive Director, Marc Recko, who has been a joy to work with since he came on board a few years back. And a great big thank you to my HHA Board colleagues who entrusted me with this role. I hope to make you all proud, and look forward to working with you to move our HHA onward and upward. Here's to a great year to come.”

What does the Hoboken Housing Authority do? According to its website:

“Established in 1949 during President Harry S. Truman’s administration, the Hoboken Housing Authority is the largest provider of very low and low-income housing in Hoboken. The HHA manages 1,353 units of public housing in 28 properties at six locations across the city. The main campus of the HHA is 17 acres and contains 806 public housing units. It is home to Andrew Jackson Gardens, multi-family housing constructed in 1952. This group of 11 three-story garden apartments and eight seven-story high-rises is home to 598 families. The main campus also features Harrison Gardens, multi-family housing constructed in 1952 and comprised of four 10-story H-plan high-rise buildings with a total of 208 apartments. The Hoboken Housing Authority also manages Columbus Gardens, 97 units; Fox Hill Gardens, 200 units; James Monroe Gardens, 125 units; and John Adams Gardens, 125 units. The HHA also administers 326 affordable rental units through leased housing contracts with private owners using tenant based-vouchers known as Housing Assistance Payments.”

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