Honoring Roger Cassin and Irma Schretter: A shared commitment to quality affordable housing

Raising the Roof Sponsorships & Tickets

In the history of affordable housing, Roger Cassin and Irma Schretter loom large. During their careers, both were pioneers in the creation and management of affordable housing, advancing the field in ways that still yield benefits today. As an architect and developer, Roger championed higher quality standards and innovative design strategies to make affordable housing more attractive to both residents and neighbors, and then helped break through the bureaucratic logjams that stood in the way of better design. Irma was determined to increase recognition for the level of professionalism required to be an excellent property manager, and her sense of purpose influenced everyone in the field. The two met while working at Winn Development — Roger on the development side, Irma in property management. Together, they set high standards that remain as benchmarks in the affordable housing field. And along the way, they mentored countless young professionals who continue to carry the torch.

We will honor Roger and Irma with the L’dor Vador award at 2Life Communities’ 2023 Raising the Roof gala in June. While Irma will not be able to attend due to health considerations, Roger will accept the award on their behalf. We’d like to take this opportunity to tell you more about this dynamic pair.

Irma Schretter: Elevating the role of operations
Irma became a leader in property management early in her career, exemplifying two important traits: clarity on the business end of the work and a personal touch with tenants.

"Irma had an unusual ability to connect with people," says Roger. "She had a personal relationship with her tenants."

In 1979, Irma started S-C Management Corp., a company that grew to more than 100 people managing 3,000 units in three states. Irma’s combination of passion, intelligence, integrity, and drive made her extremely effective at delivering high-quality housing for residents. A respected leader, she increased the visibility of and regard for the operations side of the industry, conducted countless training sessions on best practices, and always made time to mentor young professionals. Working both locally and nationally, Irma demonstrated foresight, tenacity, and commitment that propelled progress and positive transformation in the field of professional property management, benefiting the properties she owned or managed and the industry as a whole.

Irma’s involvement in 2Life Communities began when she led the board of directors’ effort to oversee property operations. A whiz with a spreadsheet, Irma guided 2Life’s management work with a keen eye toward creating efficiencies and maximizing government revenues. In 2010, when 2Life needed to recruit a successor for its highly respected CEO of 29 years, Irma knew just the person. She had met Amy Schectman through their mutual work in affordable housing and was convinced Amy would be the right fit. Irma persuaded Amy to apply for the position and then advocated for her throughout the search process that resulted in Amy being appointed president and CEO of 2Life Communities.

Roger Cassin: Innovation in development
Roger Cassin has been a highly respected architect, innovator, and developer in the Boston real estate community for more than five decades. He began working on affordable housing while still a student in Cleveland and remembers walking past riot-control police to serve clients of Housing Our People Economically. After graduation, he migrated to Boston to join a firm that specialized in affordable housing. There, Roger was able to work with clients who shared his passion to “do better” than the standard at the time. Their goal was to offer increased square footage and more functional layout of units, create more attractive exteriors, and add community spaces. By introducing the latest architectural and planning innovations, Roger helped shift the image of affordable housing from “postwar public housing” to the high standards now shared by 2Life Communities.

Roger found a likeminded partner in the Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency — now MassHousing — an organization that agreed the notion “It shouldn’t look too good” was misguided. In developing The Village at Brookline, the team was able to demonstrate more sustainable, cost-effective design standards. 

Following the success of this project, Roger and other clients were able to persuade the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that better design was worthwhile. His knowledge of innovative financing structure and government incentive programs — and his skill at overcoming regulatory obstructions — ensured that his vision for quality affordable housing and historic rehab projects became a tangible reality throughout the country.

Roger and Amy met professionally when Amy was the director of economic development in Brookline and Roger was developing projects in the town. Roger’s reputation preceded him as the architect and co-developer of The Village at Brookline — a shining example of the best in neighborhood-enhancing affordable housing. His work developing One and Two Brookline Place — including excellent public amenities like landscaped walking paths — also drew them together, and the seeds of future

A synergistic partnership
The 2Life model of aging in community resonates strongly with both Roger and Irma, who share a profound belief in the power of human connections to help people live longer, healthier lives. And while there are many organizations focused on the issue of affordable senior housing, Roger says 2Life’s approach has proven uniquely successful.

“Since we became involved, Irma and I have marveled at the trajectory of 2Life Communities,” Roger says. “Amy and her team have brought inspired thinking to the challenge, bringing in new ideas, programs, and services, and creating new synergies. Irma was very much on board, brainstorming those ideas with Amy, and I do that at every chance. 2Life is defining new standards for the industry and taking Irma’s and my work to the next level. It’s very rewarding to see.”

Amy agrees: “Everything we do is better because of the groundwork Roger and Irma laid. I’m proud that 2Life is continuing their legacy of advancing the field, and we’re all excited to do even more.”