Author: Mass Union

  • Tenant Participation Funds – $25 Increase Request

    On June 7, 2024 new state regulations went into effect. These new regulations include the increase in Tenant Participation Funds from $6/unit/year to $25! That means that after June 7, you can request additional Tenant Participation Funds.

    EOHLC has provided this information in Public Housing Notice 2024-07:

    “Amended LTO funding is effective June 7, 2024. To receive an increase in funding, LTOs must submit a revised budget for LHA approval that reflects the increase in LTO funding authorized by the revision of 760 CMR 6.09(3)(c). Once an LTO budget is approved by the LHA, the LHA will then disburse the revised LTO funding. The LHA should account for the LTO increase in any budget revision. No action is required if the LTO’s budget would not increase based upon the new per occupied unit funding.”

    For example, if your LTO represents 50 units:

      • You should have already received $500 in Tenant Participation Funds.
      • Your new Tenant Participation Funding amount is $1,250 (50 x 25).
      • With your community, create a new budget showing how you will spend the $1,250. See ideas here.
      • Submit the budget to your Housing Authority. Since you already received $500, you will now request $750 additional funds. USE THIS FORM.
      • If need be, show your Housing Authority PHN 2024-07.

    Contact us if you encounter problems with this process.

    RESOURCES

    LTO Budget Template – Must be presented to your community, then the Housing Authority. Your Housing Authority cannot negotiate the amount down.

    LTO Budget Template – Midyear Increase Request – Use this form to request funds between June 7, 2024 and the start of your next fiscal year. 

  • June 14: Webinar on the Tenant Participation Funding Increase

    11:30am – 12:30pm

    Today, June 7, new state regulations went into effect. These new regulations include the increase in Tenant Participation Funds from $6/unit/year to $25! That means that you can now request additional Tenant Participation Funds. We know many people have questions about this process and about what the funding can be used for, so we are holding a webinar about this topic.

    Webinar: Tenant Participation Funding (TPF) Increase
    Friday, June 14, 11:30am – 12:30pm

    Join Mass Union to review the process for requesting increased Tenant Participation Funds and discuss allowable uses for the funds. See information from EOHLC below, which we will review together.

    This webinar will immediately follow a thirty-minute Policy Committee meeting. Join us at 11am for brief policy updates, and then stick around for the discussion about Tenant Participation Funds at 11:30. Both will be on the Zoom link below.

    Zoom Link:
    https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9679537651
    Phone: 301.715.8592; ID: 967 953 7651

    If you cannot attend the webinar, our staff are also available to answer questions about Tenant Participation Funding. Reach out to info@massunion.org for support. Hope to see you soon!

    EOHLC has provided this information in Public Housing Notice 2024-07:

    “Amended LTO funding is effective June 7, 2024. To receive an increase in funding, LTOs must submit a revised budget for LHA approval that reflects the increase in LTO funding authorized by the revision of 760 CMR 6.09(3)(c). Once an LTO budget is approved by the LHA, the LHA will then disburse the revised LTO funding. The LHA should account for the LTO increase in any budget revision. No action is required if the LTO’s budget would not increase based upon the new per occupied unit funding.”

  • June 21: Public Housing Resident Coalition and Capacity Building Training

    This training is being offered by other non-profit organizations in the area, in partnership with HUD.

  • June 27: Resident Board Member Training

    Register here: https://www.melkinginstitute.org/event/7401 

    This free virtual training is part of the Mel King Institute’s Public Housing Training Program. It is only open to residents who serve on the Board of their Local Housing Authority. As part of Mass Union’s partnership with MKI, Sarah Byrnes will be the trainer.

    The training helps participants handle challenges unique to their particular role as both a resident and a Board Member. Participants learn about the role of the Board Member, take an in-depth look at budgets and capital improvement plans, and receive a free resource binder. They get a chance to network with each other to discuss experiences and share stories in order build confidence to perform their duties and contribute to a thriving Housing Authority.

    Quotes from past participants and stakeholders:

    • “This Resident Board Member Training was the best I ever took. I have been talking all types of classes for 25 years now. My resource binder is now my Bible for questions and answers.” – Phyllis May, Resident Board Member, Framingham Housing Authority
    • “I enjoyed this training immensely. The role-playing activities brought the examples home to us and aided us in understanding Board and resident issues. I would recommend this course to anyone who is a Resident Board Member.” – Susan Stanek, Resident Board Member, Ludlow Housing Authority

    Please email or call Emma Caviness if you have any questions, emmac@macdc.org, 617-379-5933.

  • Policy Updates and Positions: Fall 2023 – Summer 2024

    June 4: Good News! Bond Bill Updates

    May 9: Mass Union Letter to Chair Michlewitz about the Affordable Homes Act (PDF)

    April 19: Action Alert: Increase Funding for State Public Housing

    March 5: Mass Union Letter to Chair Michlewitz about the FY25 State Budget (PDF)

    January 26: New Public Housing Notice Gives Tenants More Voice

    January 26: Mass Union and Legal Aid’s Comment on proposed changes to 760 CMR 6.00 (PDF)

    January 25: Mass Union Statement on the Governor’s FY25 Budget Proposal

    January 19: Mass Union Written Testimony on the Affordable Homes Act (PDF)

    January 18: Watch Mass Union Testify at the Affordable Homes Act Hearing

    January 15, 2024: 760 CMR Update

    December 22, 2023: Policy Update: Good Things are Happening

    December 1, 2023: Mass Union’s Letter to Governor Healey RE the FY25 Budget (PDF)

    October 18, 2023: Mass Union Statement on the Affordable Homes Act

  • Good News! Bond Bill Updates, June 4, 2024

    On Monday June 3, the House Ways and Means Committee released its version of the Bond Bill (aka the Affordable Homes Act). The House is expected to pass it on Wednesday, June 5, and then it will move on to the Senate. The House made changes to the bill, three of which impact public housing:

      1. The House added $500 million for capital repairs in state housing! This brings their proposal up to a total of TWO BILLION DOLLARS for the backlog of capital needs. Yes, that’s billion with a “b”! While there are still hurdles to get through before we see this money in our communities, it is great news that the House has increased the amount. No one understands the need for capital repairs better than you. Thank you again for making your voices heard.
      2. Stronger tenant protections during Redevelopment. As you may recall, the Bond Bill includes important protections for tenants who are facing redevelopment. The House made these protections even stronger, and ensured that tenants will not need to be rescreened when they come back to their homes after redevelopment.
      3. The LHA merger section has been removed. The original bill included a section that would make it easier for Housing Authorities to merge with each other. This language appears to be gone from the new version. (Mass Union’s board and policy committee had suggested that this section be strengthened to protect tenants.)

    We will closely watch all three provisions as the bill is debated in the House and then moves to the Senate. We will let you know how you can take action for tenants soon. Stay tuned!

  • Important Webinar Hosted by the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC)

    EOHLC has announced that it will promulgate amendments to 760 CMR 6.00, Occupancy Standards and Tenant Participation for State-Aided Housing. These amendments will be published and effective June 7, 2024. PHN 2024-07 describes the changes to the regulation, and lays out the implementation timeline, provides updated documents including an updated heat deduction schedule.

    EOHLC will conduct a webinar on June 5, 2024, at 10:00AM on the changes to the rent calculation. Here’s how to join:

    Meeting link: Click here to join
    Meeting ID: 269 827 830 485
    Passcode: m87Ceq

    Dial in by phone
    +1 857-327-9245, 594710186#
    Phone conference ID: 594 710 186#

  • Thank You to our Convention and Lobby Day Attendees!

    THANK YOU to everyone who attended Mass Union’s Convention and Lobby Day! Our purple shirts made a big impression in the state house!
    Once again, THANK YOU for raising your voice for tenants. Go Mass Union, go!!

    GOLD SPONSOR

    SILVER SPONSORS

    LOBBY DAY ALLY

    PATRON HOUSING AUTHORITIES

    SUSTAINER HOUSING AUTHORITY

    SPONSORING HOUSING AUTHORITIES

    And thanks to the Housing Authorities helping a member of their communities attend our Convention:

    Acton HA, Arlington HA, Attleboro HA, Chelmsford HA, Haverhill HA, Quincy HA, Stoneham HA, Topsfield HA, West Springfield HA.

  • Congratulations to the new Mass Union Board

    Welcome to our new board members: Gene Collins, Kathleen Hunt, Rosa Marchese, and Cassandra Page!
    And congrats to Board Chair Dave Underhill, Vice Chair Maryanne Potrzuski, Treasurer Sonia Andujar, Secretary Carol Roberts, and Assistant Treasurer Danielle Connolly. Thanks also go to continuing members Nicole Beckles, Bret Perkins, Jessica Quinonez, and especially Don Hamilton.
    We also thank Sally Sennott for her commitment to Mass Union.

  • Mass Union Affiliate List

    Mass Union Affiliate List – May 15, 2024

    Groups in bold have attendees at the Convention

    Attleboro Housing Authority Hillcrest Oaks and 705 Family Sites Tenants Association
    Belchertown Housing Authority Town Wide Belchertown Tenants Organization
    Belmont Housing Authority Belmont Tenant Association
    Boston Housing Authority (BHA) Mildred Hailey**
    Boston Housing Authority (BHA) Mary Ellen McCormick**
    Boston Housing Authority (BHA) Alice Taylor Advisory Council, Inc.*
    Boston Housing Authority (BHA) BHA RAB
    Boston Housing Authority (BHA) Charlestown Resident Alliance
    Bridgewater Housing Authority H & H Tenant Association
    Brockton Housing Authority Belair Heights Tenant Association
    Brockton Housing Authority Belair Towers Tenant Association
    Brockton Housing Authority Caffrey Towers Tenants Association
    Brockton Housing Authority Campello A Tenant Association
    Brockton Housing Authority Campello B Tenant Association
    Brockton Housing Authority Crosby Gardens Tenants Association
    Brockton Housing Authority Hillside Village**
    Brockton Housing Authority Manning Tower Tenant Association
    Brockton Housing Authority Roosevelt Heights Tenants Association
    Brockton Housing Authority Sullivan Towers Tenants Association
    Cambridge Housing Authority Alliance of Cambridge Tenants (ACT)
    Easthampton Housing Authority Easthampton Tenant Organization
    Fall River Housing Authority Fall River Housing Joint Tenants Council
    Fitchburg Housing Authority C.J. Durkin Tenants Association
    Gloucester Housing Authority Lincoln Park Tenant Organization
    Gloucester Housing Authority McPherson Park Tenants Association
    Great Barrington Housing Authority Great Barrington Housing Authority LTO
    Greenfield Housing Authority Elm Terrace Tenants Association
    Holden Housing Authority Checkerberry Village Tenant Organization
    Lenox Housing Authority Lenox Tenant Organization (LTO)
    Mansfield Housing Authority Mansfield Housing Local Tenant Organization*
    Marlborough Community Development Authority Marlboro Senior Housing Tenants Association
    Marshfield Housing Authority Tea Rock Gardens Tenant Association
    Natick Housing Authority Cedar Gardens Tenant Organization
    Needham Housing Authority Cooks Bridge Tenants Association
    Newburyport Housing Authority Horton Terrace Tenants Council
    Northampton Housing Authority Forsander Tenants Association
    Northampton Housing Authority Walter Salvo Tenant Association
    Quincy Housing Authority O’Brien Towers/Crowley Ct. Tenant Association
    Quincy Housing Authority Tobin Towers Association
    Salem Housing Authority Charter Street Tenant Association
    Salem Housing Authority Dalton House Tenants Association
    Salem Housing Authority Morency Tenant Organization
    Salem Housing Authority Pioneer Terrace Tenants Organization
    Salem Housing Authority Rainbow Terrace
    Somerville Housing Authority Capen Court Tenants Association
    Springfield Housing Authority Gentile Tenant Council
    Springfield Housing Authority Jennie Lane Apartments Organization
    Stoneham Housing Authority Stoneham Housing Resident Union
    Sudbury Housing Authority Musketahquid Village Tenant Organization
    Swampscott Housing Authority Swampscott Senior Tenant Association
    Taunton Housing Authority Taunton LTO
    Topsfield Housing Authority Little Brook Village Tenant Association
    Warren Housing Authority Winthrop Terrace Tenant Organization
    Watertown Housing Authority E. Joyce Munger Apartments Tenants Association
    Webster Housing Authority Golden Heights (State)
    West Springfield Oxford Place

     

    * Grace Period

    ** Dues to be paid at the Convention