Service and Leadership

Elizabeth, NJ – June 17, 2025 – After four decades of unwavering dedication to the City of Elizabeth, Catherine J. Hart, deputy executive director of the Housing Authority of the City of Elizabeth (HACE), is announcing her retirement, marking the end of a career defined by service, innovation, and deep community impact. Her last day will be June 30, 2025.

The urban housing authority has consistently worked to meet the community’s housing needs by providing a comprehensive range of social, economic, educational, and redevelopment services. Cathy, as she is affectionately known, has been a steadfast champion of that mission throughout her long and dedicated tenure at HACE.

After 40 years with the Housing Authority, I leave not just with memories, but with the faces and stories of the people we've helped etched in my heart,” stated Cathy Hart, deputy executive director of HACE. “This work was more than a job—it was my purpose, my passion, and my privilege.”

Cathy Hart began her journey with HACE as a tenant interviewer in 1986 and rose through the ranks–serving as senior account clerk (1989), employee benefits coordinator (1994), and director of staff operations (1996)—before becoming deputy executive director in 2006. Over the past 40 years, she has not only witnessed the evolution of public housing in Elizabeth but also played a central role in reshaping it.

Transformative Impact

Cathy co-facilitated a landmark HOPE VI project using a $28.9 million HUD-funded initiative that transformed two aging public housing complexes into modern, mixed-income townhouse communities, relocating over 650 families and restoring hope to generations. Cathy introduced HACE’s “Hub and Spoke” model, centralizing case management while connecting residents to partners in employment, education, and health.

Advancing Economic Mobility

Cathy championed programs that lifted underprivileged residents economically and professionally through her work on:

Health, Wellness & Environmental Innovation

COVID-19 Leadership: Cathy served as a critical partner in pandemic response—distributing thousands of meals and vaccines, addressing digital inequities with tablet and internet access for children and seniors, and ensuring continuity of care and housing stability during the crisis. Due to her efforts, the Elizabeth Housing Authority was one of the first housing authorities in the State of New Jersey to offer these services. Environmental initiatives such as HACE HEAT, developed in partnership with Groundwork Elizabeth, educated teens on climate and air quality, resulting in impactful projects funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Science Foundation (NSF).

Supportive Services

She partnered with Bridgeway Rehabilitation Services to secure housing for homeless and disabled individuals through various voucher programs.

Cathy helped launch the Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) initiative, offering an alternative to incarceration for individuals in need of mental health or substance use resources.

She also established community gardens in partnership with Groundwork Elizabeth and Rutgers State University to build its first microforest as well as to monitor the air quality for its residents in-and-outside their homes.

Legacy & Farewell

HACE says goodbye to a trusted leader, a visionary builder, and a tireless advocate. As she retires, Cathy Hart leaves behind not only a stronger housing authority but a healthier and more hopeful Elizabeth, having impacted thousands of lives throughout her career in public housing.

The Housing Authority of Elizabeth staff, board of commissioners, and residents want to thank Cathy for exemplifying true public service—her dedication, compassion, and unwavering commitment to others have made a lasting difference, especially for those who need it most. “Cathy’s leadership was visionary and deeply connected to the needs of our residents. She transformed programs into lasting opportunities and helped build stronger, more connected communities. Cathy didn’t just serve the people of Elizabeth—she uplifted them. Her legacy will live on in every life she touched. She will be truly missed,” said William Jones, executive director of HACE. What began as a job in housing has grown into a lifelong career rooted in service, transformation, and a deep commitment to community development. Her absence will be deeply felt across HACE and the community she helped shape for over forty years.

Since its formation in 1938, the Housing Authority of the City of Elizabeth has worked diligently to meet the housing needs and improve the quality of life for all the residents it serves. The Housing Authority of the City of Elizabeth is responsible for over 1350 units of public housing and delivers a broad range of services, ranging from social, economic, educational, and redevelopment. For more information about HACE, visit www.hacenj.com.