Ilana Casady » Directory

Candidate Statement

My name is Ilana Casady and I am a candidate for re-election to the Hopkinton Housing Authority.  I have been a resident of Hopkinton since 2009 and I love being involved in the community.  I have chosen to run for Hopkinton Housing Authority as a way to contribute more to Hopkinton.  I currently serve as the Chair of the Hopkinton Cultural Council, I am a member of the Hopkinton Running Club, former member of Enter Stage Left’s Treblemakers, and race director of Hopkinton Center for the Arts Wicked 5k.  I have 5 children (3 daughters and 2 step-daughters) that currently attend or have graduated from the Hopkinton Public Schools.  

I received my BS in Wildlife Biology from UMass and my Masters in Occupational Therapy from Tufts.  I currently work as an Occupational Therapist using horses a treatment tool for children with special needs out of a barn in Sherborn.  From 2002-2010 I worked in Early Intervention providing Occupational Therapy to children from birth to three years, with developmental delays.  During these years I primarily worked out of Mattapan/Dorchester/Roxbury with a large number of families in public housing through the Boston Housing Authority or trying to get into BHA.  I became an advocate for these families and was able to see the benefits as well as the challenges of supported housing.  I was very proud of pushing to eradicate a rat infestation for a family that spoke English as a second language and obtaining a wheelchair accessible unit to a family whose daughter was non-ambulatory and lived in a 3rd floor unit.

I currently manage two properties outside of Hopkinton.  As an OT I am very conscientious of safety for seniors including fall reduction safety.  I am a big proponent of railings where helpful, even walkways, visual contrast for curbs/edges, as well as ensuring we are ADA compliant.

If re-elected I hope to continue to advocate for seniors and those with disabilities and be a positive bridge between residents and the executives of housing to cost effectively optimize residents’ experience.