Mass Union’s Annual Convention brought together over 100 public housing tenant leaders to learn, collaborate, and celebrate!
The Convention had eleven workshops, keynote speeches, regional breakout sessions, a dance party, an award ceremony, and Mass Union’s annual meeting and officer elections.
Workshops
The Convention is an opportunity for Mass Union members to listen and learn, from both their fellow tenant leaders and experts from our partner organizations.
Rey Santana and Denise Lauers from the Mystic Tenants Association speaking on a panel with Communications Coach Todd Fry
Mass Union Director of Organization Zafiro Patiño moderates a discussion
We hosted eleven workshops:
- Local Tenant Organization Basics, Part I
- Working Together: A Discussion with Mass Union’s Key Partners
- Know Your Rights: Housing
- Know Your Rights: Immigration
- A Discussion about State-Aided Public Housing with EOHLC
- Local Tenant Organization Basics, Part II
- Negotiating a Strong Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
- AI for All: Everyday Tools for Tenant Outreach
- Fundraising Tips and Inspiration for your LTO
- Radical Inclusion: Race, Class and Belonging
- Accomplishing Your Goals through Local Campaigns
Slides and handouts from the workshops are available online. We hope attendees will bring crucial information and skills back to their local tenant organizations, strengthening them for the work ahead.
Keynote Speeches
Allies in local, state, and federal government are essential to our movement – and we were grateful to have some of those partners join us at the Convention.
We had support from near and far – State Senator Jaime Eldridge and State Representative Manny Cruz traveled to Marlborough to be with us in person, while Secretary of Housing and Livable Communities Juana Matias and Representative Jake Auchincloss sent video remarks.
I’m really hoping next session we can be bold: both with increases in the budget and with better supporting local housing authorities.
Senator Eldridge
Video from Secretary Matias
Keep speaking up, keep telling us what you see in your communities, and keep holding us accountable.
Secretary Matias
Video from Representative Auchincloss
In both Washington and Massachusetts I will continue using my voice and vote to protect both public housing and its tenants.
Representative Auchincloss
Tenant Stories
An essential element of the Convention is for tenant leaders from across Massachusetts to connect – both in formal sessions and informal encounters.
Some local tenant organizations have been around for decades, while others are starting from scratch. Tenant leaders from three high-impact organizations, the Cambridge Alliance for Tenants, the Harborview Residents Committee in Quincy, and the Bradford Terrace Local Tenants Organization in Haverhill, shared stories from their organizing at Saturday’s lunch.
Duane Callender from the Cambridge Alliance of Tenants sharing stories with fellow organizers.
Leaders from the Harborview Residents Committee sharing their struggles and successes.
Award Ceremony
This year we wanted to celebrate the partners that contribute to our movement. We gave awards to a nonprofit partner, a volunteer, and a Housing Authority that exemplify Mass Union’s values.
Outstanding Partner: Project No One Leaves
Project No One Leaves is a student-run, Greater Boston Area canvassing group from the Harvard Legal Aid Bureau that partners with local community organizers. Over the past year, they’ve worked with Mass Union on local campaigns in Quincy, Needham, and Brookline, knocking over 500 doors. They were given the Outstanding Partner award in recognition of this commitment to grassroots organizing and community lawyering.
Outstanding Volunteer: Steve Meacham
Steve Meacham is a housing organizer recognized statewide and nationally for his high-impact, tenant-centered campaigns. He’s working to build connections between the tenant movements in public and private housing. He was given the Outstanding Volunteer award for his help with Mass Union’s local campaigns and elections.
Housing Authority of the Year: Melrose Housing Authority
Mass Union created the “Local Housing Authority of the Year” award to highlight the incredible work that Local Housing Authorities are able to accomplish when they center tenant voices and to provide examples of excellent stewardship of public housing assets.
The Steele House Community Tenant Association (SHCTA) nominated the Melrose Housing Authority, under the leadership of Executive Director Martin Corona, for this honor. SHCTA highlighted Martin’s leadership during a State-funded $2 million electrical upgrade project at Steele House. Residents raised serious concerns about issues related to the project, and Martin took those concerns seriously, acting as an ally to the tenants and a true steward of the property.
The Selection Committee, made up of Mass Union board members, affiliates, staff and partners, received five nominations and chose Melrose Housing Authority as the recipient of the award.
Martin and the board don’t simply invite us to attend [meetings], they want to hear from us. They want our concerns, our ideas, and our suggestions. That tells our residents that their voices matter.
Elena Black, President of Steele House Community Tenant Association
We are building momentum, and we are going to create lasting change at the Melrose Housing Authority and in the city of Melrose.
Martin Corona, Executive Director of the Melrose Housing Authority