News came in November that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development had released $1.28 million to fund housing vouchers that will lead to the relocation of the nearly 350 people residing at the troubled Thames River Apartments. And while it is likely to take several months before residents of the federally subsidized Crystal Avenue high-rises start moving out, it was a significant achievement during a tumultuous year for the New London Housing Authority.

The Housing Authority started the year with an interim executive director following termination of a contract with Director Sue Shontell in 2016. The authority hired Roy Boling and later terminated his contract as it moved to consider hiring a management firm for the authority’s holdings.

Robert Reardon, the attorney who has worked for more than a decade representing the residents of Thames River Apartments, had threatened to re-open a suit because of the lack of action. The authority since has hired an outside firm to aid with the relocation of the Thames River Apartment residents.

— Greg Smith