Boston Housing Authority
52 Chauncy Street

Boston, MA 02111
United States
Nancy is a "hero" in our Boston's Way Home initiative. The action plan aims to end veteran and chronic homelessness in Boston.

Learn about Boston's Way Home

Nancy Otero

Assistant Director of Occupancy, Boston Housing Authority

Nancy is a professional barrier buster. She is constantly troubleshooting the most difficult cases and working to eliminate as many barriers as she can, in order to make the process of applying for housing at the BHA as simple as it can be.

Nancy does whatever it takes - and that means she's often in the community, sharing her experiences with staff at shelters and housing search agencies and teaching them how to effectively navigate the housing process with their clients.

Nancy is BHA's point person for the chronically homeless elder initiative, as well as for the emerging "Moving On" pilot, among other special projects.

She's incredibly knowledgeable about BHA housing resources and fully dedicated to the mission of the Mayor's initiative to end chronic homelessness in Boston.

Everyone -- literally, everyone -- enjoys working with Nancy!

--Laila Bernstein, Advisor to the Mayor, Initiative to End Chronic Homelessness

What do you find satisfying about this kind of work?

The most satisfying thing about my work is that I get to help people.

I have been working at the BHA for over 20 years and no one day is exactly the same as the last. I enjoy helping clients and advocates navigate through our process -- the housing market is extremely scarce, so it’s a pleasure to be able to help low-income families find a place to call home. Finding a home isn’t easy, especially when you’ve got personal circumstances making it difficult. But nothing is more satisfying than knowing that I have the ability to help someone have a roof over their head.

Tell us a story about something you're proud of?

I am proud to have been part of the Chronic Homeless Elders Surge that took place in July of 2016. At this event, we were able to help individuals with all sorts of services including -- but certainly not limited to! -- housing, stabilization services, medical benefits, and more.

The BHA was able to offer housing to 15 chronically homeless elders, and the reaction on their faces when they were told that they were approved for housing and that they could go and view the apartment was priceless.

It was an event that I will never forget. It was a humbling event, where I learned the stories of many of the individuals and their struggles. To have been part of a life-changing event in someone's life is the ultimate reward.