CHICOPEE – The Valley Opportunity Council (VOC) headquarters in Chicopee was the last stop in a day of campaigning on Oct. 3 for Mayor Kim Driscoll, the Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor, but for Driscoll it was a time to ask questions and listen to employees of the anti-poverty agency.

Driscoll took notes as VOC officials answered her questions about housing, the WIC program and other issues.

Accompanied by the Democratic candidate for state representative Shirley Arriaga, state rep. Jake Oliveira and Orlando Ramos as well as state Sen. Adam Gomez also attended the meeting. Gomez noted that Driscoll had campaigned that day in East Boston, Chelsea, Springfield and Holyoke besides Chicopee.

He noted, “This is the first-ever ticket of strong women,” referring to Attorney General Maura Healey and Driscoll.

Driscoll has bene the long-time mayor of Salem and she said, “As mayor you often have the opportunity to develop solutions … [however] there is only so much governments can do.” She added the issued such as housing and early childhood education will be “the work we have to face on Day One.”

Noting the urgency of such issues, she predicted, “I don’t think there is going to be honeymoon,” referring to the political calm following the start of a new administration.

She said VOC has “a great reputation.”

Steve Huntley, the executive director of VOC, spoke about one of the pressing issues facing people in Western Massachusetts, housing. He noted that much of the housing prices in Western Massachusetts may be less or similar to those in the eastern part of the state, but in Western Massachusetts does not have a public transportation infrastructure that allows a person to just have one car per household.

He explained if two people are working in the household, there are two cars, which adds to the financial challenges.

VOC has a substantial investment in housing, 295 units of affordable and market-rate, and the agency is known as being a housing expert and one employee told Driscoll there are many people on the waiting list for that housing. She explained that 50 to 100 people apply for housing every day.

The VOC also operates nine childcare centers and Driscoll was told that staff retention due to the wages paid is an on-going issue.

Huntley explained there are disparities in the state voucher rates between different parts of the state. He told Driscoll that revenue for commercial properties the VOC owns helps fund various programs.
Driscoll was told by members of the WIC staff that program was challenged by the infant formula shortage earlier this year. The VOC staff worked with parents to find the formulas they need and the shortage has much improved.

Another VOC program is fuel assistance and the agency’s efforts cover all of Hampden County, Huntley said.

He noted that prices are elevated and he is hoping Congress could address it.

The target this year is to help 20,000 households.