Author: Mass Union

<- Back to General Convention Info

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2026 

8:00 AM – 10:00 AM Convention Registration

8:00 AM – 10:00 AM Continental Breakfast

10:00 AM – 10:30 AM Welcome & Opening Plenary

• Convention Opening, Dave Underhill, Mass Union Chair
• Remarks from Congressman Jake Auchincloss
• Convention Overview, Sarah Byrnes, Mass Union Executive Director

10:45 AM – 12:00 PM Workshops  

Local Tenant Organization Basics, Part I 

This workshop will review the first three chapters of Mass Union’s LTO Board Handbook, which covers everything LTO boards need to know to get set up, stay recognized, and get active! We’ll cover the purpose of forming an LTO, board roles and responsibilities, taking minutes, recognition requirements, bylaws, budgets, opening a bank account, and financial reports. 

Presenter: Zafiro Patiño, Director of Organizing, Mass Union. 

Working Together: A Discussion with Mass Union’s Key Partners 

Mass Union can’t accomplish our mission alone. Join this workshop to learn more about the broader housing justice movement and hear directly from some of our key partners: CHAPA, Homes for All, MassNAHRO, the Mel King Institute, and the National Low Income Housing Coalition. These organizations work at the state and national levels to improve the lives of low-income renters in both private and subsidized housing. Together, we’ll discuss the work each organization is doing, what we can learn from one another, and opportunities to collaborate. Come learn how stronger partnerships can help us build a more powerful and connected housing justice movement. 

Moderator: Sarah Byrnes, Executive Director, Mass Union. Presenters: Cylas Martell-Crawford, MassNAHRO; Viana Nascimento, Mel King Institute; Andrea Park, Homes for All; Zenayah Roache, National Low Income Housing Coalition; and Jordan Stocker, CHAPA.  

Know Your Rights: Housing

This workshop is designed to educate residents about specific legal protections and responsibilities in public housing. It will focus on eviction protections, including how to protect yourself when facing non-payment of rent. The workshop will also address leases, housing conditions, reasonable accommodations, and rents. 

Moderator: David Underhill, Mass Union Board Chair. Presenter: Stephen Matthews, Advocacy Director, Metro West Legal Aid.

Know Your Rights: Immigration  

Join this workshop to learn crucial knowledge about immigration rights and hear an update about how Mass Union is working to protect immigrants in federal public housing.  This training will cover basic Know Your Rights information, including what to do when immigration comes to your home or stops you while driving, and family preparedness. We will also share tools and strategies to safely and effectively respond when witnessing immigration enforcement, and share resources including community hotlines and accompaniment programs, and legal services. 

Moderator: Marsha Chery, Community Engagement Fellow, Mass Union. Presenters:  Jessica Chicco, Director of Training, Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA); and Ben Levine, Staff Attorney, Housing & Homelessness, Mass Law Reform Institute. 

12:00 PM – 12:45 PM Lunch

Lunch will include the Mesa Redonda, a chance for Spanish speakers to connect with each other and Mass Union Network Leaders, board and staff. 

La Mesa Redonda será un foro para compartir experiencias y ayudarnos mutuamente a superar las dificultades en nuestras comunidades y organizaciones locales de inquilinos. Se habla español en la mesa redonda. 

Facilitators: Carlos Julia, Network Leader, Mass Union; Zafiro Patiño, Director of Organizing, Mass Union; Elina Rodriguez, Organizer, Mass Union.  

12:30 PM Luncheon Speaker: Senator Jamie Eldridge

1:00 – 2:30 PM Plenary Discussion: Why is Public Housing Necessary?  

Why is public housing necessary, and how does it fit into the larger story of economic inequality in the United States? In this interactive plenary session, United for a Fair Economy will help us explore how income and wealth have shifted over the past 45 years, and what those changes mean for our everyday lives. Through discussion and hands-on activities, participants will examine how growing economic inequality affects housing, families, and communities. We’ll also look at lessons from historical movements and explore strategies people are using today to create change. Together, we’ll deepen our understanding of the economy, connect it to our own experiences, and consider how we can work toward a better future.  

Moderator: Sarah Byrnes, Executive Director, Mass Union. Presenter: Jeannette Huezo, Executive Director & Senior Popular Educator, United for a Fair Economy. 

2:30 PM – 2:45 PM Break 

2:45 PM – 4:00 PM Regional Breakouts 

Join a discussion with other tenants from your region of the Commonwealth. This will be a chance to hear updates, build relationships, and troubleshoot together about common problems. If you are unsure which breakout to attend, choose the group with your Organizer, or ask the staff.  

• Northeastern Mass with Sheila Cuevas

• Southeastern Mass with Joey Wong and Marsha Chery

• Somerville + Cambridge + Brookline + Boston with Elina Rodriguez

• Greater Boston with Laura Frost

• Central and Western Mass with Judy O’Kulsky and Katherine Mallory

Note that dinner is on your own on Friday. 

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2026 

8:00 AM – 9:30 AM Convention Registration 

8:00 AM – 9:30 AM Continental Breakfast 

9:30 AM – 10:15 AM Award Ceremony and Keynote Address

• Outstanding Partner: Project No One Leaves
• Outstanding Volunteer: Steve Meacham
• Housing Authority of the Year: Melrose Housing Authority
• Keynote Address: Representative Manny Cruz

10:30 – 11:45 Workshops 

A Discussion about State-Aided Public Housing with EOHLC  

Join this conversation with Fatima Razzaq, Assistant Undersecretary of Public Housing and Rental Assistance, Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC). We’ll review an important Public Housing Notice EOHLC released in late 2024 that spells out details about tenants’ participation rights, and specifically discuss tenant participation in capital improvement planning.

Moderators: Annette Duke, Housing Attorney, Mass Law Reform Institute; and Kathleen Hunt, Policy Committee Chair, Mass Union, and President, Little Brook Tenants Association. Presenter: Fatima Razzaq, Assistant Undersecretary of Public Housing and Rental Assistance, Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC).  

Local Tenant Organization Basics, Part II 

This workshop will review the final two chapters of Mass Union’s LTO Board Handbook, which covers everything LTO boards need to know to get set up and GET ACTIVE! We’ll cover staying accountable to the community, language inclusion, how to get along, running community meetings, and more. 

Presenter: Zafiro Patiño, Director of Organizing, Mass Union. 

Negotiating a Strong Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) 

Public housing tenant organizations in Massachusetts have a right to organize, be heard, and participate in matters affecting tenants. These rights can be made much stronger if a tenant organization negotiates an agreement with the Housing Authority called a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) or a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA). Join this session to learn ways to negotiate a strong agreement with your Housing Authority. In an interactive style, we will walk through strategies, skills, and some practical tips to help you achieve the MOU that tenants in your community want.  

Moderator: Sarah Byrnes, Executive Director, Mass Union. Presenters: Todd Fry, Communications Coach for Leaders; Denise Lauers, Secretary, Mystic Tenants Association; and Rey Santana, President, Mystic Tenants Association.

11:45 – 1:00 Lunch

12:30 Luncheon Speaking Program 

During lunch, we will hear stories from three high-impact Tenant Organizations. This session will be moderated by Mass Union’s Director of Organizing, Zafiro Patiño.  

• Harborview Residents Committee, Quincy 
• Alliance of Cambridge Tenants
• Bradford Terrace Local Tenants Organization, Haverhill

1:00 – 1:15 Stretch Break 

1:15 – 2:30 Storytelling for Advocates

After lunch, we’ll hold a full-group discussion about building tenant power through storytelling. This session will be very interactive, and our goal will be to help tenants create compelling stories about life in public housing – what works, what doesn’t, and why this resource is so crucial for our Commonwealth. Whether your audience is other tenants, the Housing Authority, elected officials or the media, effective storytelling is crucial for our success.

Moderator: Sarah Byrnes, Executive Director, Mass Union. Presenter: Todd Fry, Communications Coach for Leaders. 

2:30 – 2:45 Break

2:45 – 4:00 Workshops 

Digital Skills for LTO Engagement & Outreach

Moderator: Rodolfo Saldarriaga Huallpa, Deputy Director, Mass Union. Presenter: Cheryl Coss, Manager of Digital Equity, Outreach & Engagement, Mass Broadband Institute; and Mario Rubano, Older Adults Technology Service. 

Fundraising Tips and Inspiration for your LTO

Many Local Tenant Organizations are excellent at raising money beyond their Tenant Participation Funds. Join this workshop to learn great tips, tricks and inspiration for doing the same! We’ll hear from LTOs who have used a variety of strategies to raise money to build social cohesion and power among tenants.  

Panelists: Danielle Connolly, Mass Union Assistant Treasurer and President, Stoneham Housing Resident Union; Rey Santana, President, Mystic Tenants Association. 

Radical Inclusion: Race, Class and Belonging

Public housing is beautifully diverse. Join this session to reflect and learn about the role race and class play in public housing and Local Tenant Organizations. We’ll focus on how to ensure that your tenant group is “radically inclusive” so that everyone feels like they belong, regardless of their race, language, religion, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, (dis)ability, or any other factor. 

Moderator: Marsha Chery, Community Engagement Fellow, Mass Union. Presenter: Tiana Lawrence, Trainer and Facilitator. 

Accomplishing Your Goals through Local Campaigns 

Throughout history people have used “campaigns” to accomplish shared goals, such as improving the quality of life in your development. Join this session to learn how to run a local campaign by selecting a goal, creating a strategy, and engaging allies in your community. 

Presenters: Sarah Byrnes, Executive Director, Mass Union; and Zafiro Patiño, Director of Organizing, Mass Union.  

6:00 Dinner and Dancing

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2026 

8:00 AM – 10:00 AM Continental Breakfast

10:00 AM – 12:00 PM Mass Union’s Annual Meeting, Listening Session and Officer Election  

1. Call to Order 

2. Appointment of Annual Meeting Secretary 

3. Reports 
   • Chair
   • Treasurer
   • Policy Committee
   • Executive Director

4. Discussion 

5. Officer Election  
   • Review Election Procedure
   • Candidate Speeches
   • Voting

6. Closing  

Raffles will be held after the closing. 

<- Back to General Convention Info

Prices

Mass Union does everything we can to keep prices as low as possible, including by soliciting sponsors. These costs reflect the minimum to cover expenses. Thank you for your understanding!

Daytime Attendance: $230

Covers the following:

• Breakfast and lunch on Friday
• Breakfast, lunch and dinner on Saturday
• Breakfast on Sunday
• Attendance at any and all workshops and plenaries on all three days
• Convention materials

Hotel Rooms: $185/night

If you are sharing a hotel room, you will be responsible for half of this cost per night – $92.50. Hotel rooms are available on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights (October 1 – 3).

Paying for the Convention

1. Use Tenant Participation Funds from the Local Tenant Organization

Local Tenant Organizations receive Tenant Participation Funds from the Housing Authority to support their operations and support tenant leadership development. Your LTO can include funds for the Mass Union Convention in your budget. Please contact your Organizer or our main office for more information.

2. Ask your Local Housing Authority to Sponsor Your Attendance

Convention attendance can eat up a big portion of the LTO’s annual budget, so another option is to ask your LHA to sponsor your attendance! Their support will be recognized and celebrated widely. Read all about it below, and give them this Sponsorship PDF to kick off the conversation. They will join 30+ other LHAs who have provided sponsorships in the past.

At its Fall 2026 Convention, Mass Union will choose one Housing Authority to honor with its first-ever Housing Authority of the Year award.

“We are thrilled to present this honor for the first time,” said Dave Underhill, Mass Union’s Board Chair. “There are many excellent Housing Authorities in Massachusetts. Tenants are eager to show our appreciation for the LHAs who provide sound management, encourage and value tenant participation, and respect all tenants at all times. We invite Mass Union affiliates to nominate their Housing Authority for this award, and we look forward to selecting the winner!”

Nomination Process

Mass Union affiliates are invited to nominate their LHA or another LHA for this award by emailing info@massunion.org by 5pm on August 14, 2026. Please note that the nomination must be made by the affiliate as a whole, not by an individual tenant.

Before submitting your nomination, please read the criteria below. In your email, please “make the case” for why this LHA should win. You can:

• Share your positive experiences with the LHA, 
• Include data from the LHA’s Performance Management Review or Tenant Satisfaction Survey (see data for state housing here),
• Provide other information.

Criteria

I. RESPECTFUL

The LHA is consistently respectful toward all tenants, regardless of their race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, language, or any other characteristic. The LHA “treats tenants as human” and shows compassion. Provides robust language access for all tenants.

II. VALUES TENANT INPUT and LOCAL TENANT ORGANIZATIONS

• Sees tenants as partners who hold crucial real-world experience that can inform Housing Authority decisions
• Listens to tenant input and incorporates tenant suggestions in policies, procedures, hiring decisions, and Annual Plans
• Encourages and supports the formation of Local Tenant Organizations
• Respects the integrity of the Local Tenant Organization; i.e. its election results, decisions, and privacy
• Meets with Local Tenant Organizations regularly
• Negotiates a Memorandum of Understanding with the Local Tenant Organization
• Provides Tenant Participation Funds promptly, per regulations
• Allows tenants a meaningful voice at LHA Board Meetings
• Supports Mass Union’s Convention, Public Housing Day, or other events

III. PROVIDES SOUND MANAGEMENT

Tenants understand that LHAs have been underfunded for decades. We wish to recognize the LHAs who provide the best possible stewardship of their assets and income. Tenants pay rent and deserve to live in dignified housing. For example:

• The LHA is accessible and responsive to tenants, including those who do not speak English, providing office hours and responding to inquires in a timely manner.
• Responds to work orders in a timely manner.
• Provides safe, clean housing without rodents, bugs, or mold. Does not allow trash to pile up.
• Provides accurate rent calculations and respectfully responds to all questions regarding the calculation. Provides a transparent process.
• Is transparent with all finances and has a clean financial record.
• Has been recognized by third parties for providing sound management.
• Receives positive findings in its Performance Management Review and Tenant Satisfaction Survey(s).
• Demonstrates effort to meet these criteria, and is moving in the right direction.

Selection Committee

The Selection Committee will be comprised of Mass Union board members, affiliates, staff and partners.

If you are a member of one of our affiliates and would like to join the committee, please email info@massunion.org by Monday, July 27 at 12pm. The Mass Union board will determine the members of the committee at its 1pm meeting that day. Please note:

• If your LHA is nominated for the award, you cannot serve on the committee.
• The committee will meet over Zoom during the week of August 17 to make its decision. You must be available for one or more meetings that week.