Rich Announces Candidacy for Housing Authority

District 7 Town Meeting member and downtown Norwood resident Joseph W. Rich announced his candidacy for the Board of Commissioners of the Norwood Housing Authority this week.

“I’m excited to be in the race and eager to discuss my experience in state and federal government with the voters,” said Rich. “I think it would be useful for the Norwood Housing Authority, which receives a mixture of state and federal dollars, to have someone on the board with my experience and background.”

Rich worked as a legislative aide to state Senator Susan Tucker (D-Andover) and state Representative Jeffrey A. Sanchez (D-Boston) for two and a half years in the State House. Most recently, he served as a District Representative to U.S. Congressman Stephen F. Lynch (D-Boston).

Rich worked for Senator Tucker while she was the chair of the Senate Committee on Housing, a position which he says gave him a close perspective on the issue of affordable housing. While working for Lynch, he handled mortgage issues as well.

“The economic crisis left a lot of people struggling to pay their mortgages. Now, more than any time since the Great Depression, we need access to affordable housing for our most vulnerable citizens,” said Rich.

Rich is also a member of the Norwood Democratic Town Committee and a volunteer driver for HESCCO Elder Services’ Meals on Wheels program.

Rich earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Studies from Bridgewater State College in 2003 and a Master of Science degree in Public Affairs-International Relations from the University of Massachusetts Boston in 2009.