Founded by public housing residents in 1967 and incorporated in 1971, the Massachusetts Union of Public Housing Tenants is the first statewide public housing tenants’ organization in the nation.
Born from a sense of frustration, and hopelessness, fed by a need for justice, basic human rights and decent living conditions, the Union now grows in the knowledge that information perseverance and community strength can create a decent future, pride in one’s community and the understanding that individuals united together for a just cause can affect and change any situation.
We believe that public housing developments can be communities to be proud of. Until the day when affordable housing is the right of all, public housing must be maintained as a precious resource.
Public housing residents have the intelligence and commitment to be active partners in the management of their developments, and that active tenant involvement is essential for creating positive public housing communities. We believe that while maintaining independence, tenant organizations and management can build relationships of mutual respect and cooperation, and that working together they can eliminate the unfair stigma under which public housing and suffers.
The Massachusetts Union of Public Housing Tenants is an organization whose members are the local public housing tenant organizations. We are governed by a board of 12 public housing tenants who are elected at the Unions twice a year conventions. The board oversees all aspects of the Union’s work, from policy to training and advocacy to the initiation of appropriate legislation. The day-to-day functioning of the Union is supervised by an executive director, hired by the board, who is assisted by a competent staff and field coordinator.