Author: Mass Union

Above, see Mass Union members from our affiliate in Belchertown, Rosa Marchese and Christina Fisk. Rosa and Chris were among dozens of Mass Union members who attended the Housing Justice Rally in Brookline on June 26. The rally was organized by our allies at the Greater Boston Interfaith Organization. Speakers included Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, new Secretary of Housing Ed Augustus, and Mass Union member Kenneth Mcpherson (see below).

The rally focused on the need for more capital funds for public housing. We don’t have to tell you how important that is! Please continue to contact Governor Maura Healey about providing $8.5 Billion in the bond bill to address the backlog of capital needs in public housing. We know we need it, and it’s time to make the ask. Read more here. And thank you for your efforts!

Mass Union member Kenneth Mcpherson and Chelmsford Housing Authority ED David Hedison at the rally

Photo provided by a public housing resident

Mass Union and our partners are preparing for the Governor to release the Housing Bond Bill.

Why does this matter? Because the Housing Bond Bill provides funds for capital repairs for state public housing. We don’t have to tell you how important this is.

Please email the Governor’s Office at this link. Here’s what to say:

• I live in public housing and I am emailing about the 5-year housing bond bill that the Healey/Driscoll administration will introduce in the coming weeks.
• We ask that the Healey/Driscoll administration use the Housing Bond Bill to fund the $8.5 billion need for capital repairs in state-aided public housing.
• Deferred maintenance in our state-aided public housing means that many of us are enduring deplorable conditions such as mold and lead.
• The longer this goes unaddressed, the more people suffer, and the worse the crisis gets.
• If we do not address the deferred maintenance now, we will begin to lose many of the 43,000 state-aided public housing units.

ADD PERSONAL COMMENTS AS WELL! Why do you believe state housing needs money for capital repairs?

Here is the link to email the governor. Click the link and scroll to the bottom of the page. Copy and paste the bullets above, and add your own comments.

As a resident of public housing, YOUR VOICE IS ESSENTIAL. Thank you for taking the time to contact our governor about this important issue!

Photo provided by public housing resident Janet Wilkins

Due to decades of deferred maintenance, public housing is in tough shape. Mass Union is fighting for more funds for capital improvements and operations through the state legislature.

To address decades of backlogged capital needs, redevelopment of public housing is happening and it is happening in different ways. In some cases, ownership moves to a new entity.

• Mass Union urges policymakers to put forth an ambitious plan to preserve and expand public housing for low-income people.
• We encourage decision-makers to incorporate the principles in our Redevelopment Bill of Rights in programs, legislation, budgets, and specific redevelopment projects.
• We support S. 857/ H. 1340, An Act ensuring continued rights for public housing residents. Read more below, including how YOU can help!

Action Alert

Contact your State Senator and Representative and ask them to co-sponsor S. 857/ H. 1340, An Act ensuring continued rights for public housing residents.

Find Your Legislators Here

Use the talking points below and contact us with any questions! Email: info@massunion.org, phone: 617.825.9750. Let us know how your conversation goes! Read tips for talking to legislators and their staff in our Power of One booklet.

Read More

• Public Housing Redevelopment Bill of Rights (2023 Version!)
• Mass Union’s Testimony on H.1340/S.857
• A section-by-section analysis of the bill (provided by Mass Law Reform)
• Fact Sheet (pictured above)

The budget has moved on to the Conference Committee! Legislators are deciding between the two versions of the budget – one passed by the House, and one passed by the Senate.

The Senate version provides more money for public housing in two ways: the Operating Subsidy and special grants for Resident Services Coordinators.

Please contact your Senator and Representative and ask:

As provided in S.2400, Increase Public Housing Operating Subsidy to $107 million (Line Item 7004-9005) and Increase funding for Resident Services Coordinators to $6.5 million (Line Item 7004-4314). 

To find your Representative Senator go to:
https://malegislature.gov/Search/FindMyLegislator

Read our full letter to the Chairs of the Ways and Means Committee (PDF).

For more information and tips about talking to legislators, download our popular “Power of One” booklet here (PDF).

The state budget has moved on to the Conference Committee! Legislators are deciding between two versions of the budget – one passed by the House, and one passed by the Senate.

The Senate version provides more money for public housing in two ways: the Operating Subsidy and special grants for Resident Services Coordinators.

Please contact your state Senator and Representative and ask:

As provided in S.2400, Increase Public Housing Operating Subsidy to $107 million (Line Item 7004-9005) and Increase funding for Resident Services Coordinators to $6.5 million (Line Item 7004-4314). 

To find your Representative Senator go to:
https://malegislature.gov/Search/FindMyLegislator

For more information and tips about talking to legislators, download our popular “Power of One” booklet here (PDF).

This week, the state Senate is debating the budget, and we need your help! There is a good chance we can increase funding for state public housing, but residents need to contact their Senators this week.

Please Contact Your Senator and

Ask Them to Co-Sponsor
Public Housing Budget Amendments #195 and #236
to the Senate Ways and Means Budget

Last week, the Senate Ways and Means Committee released its proposed budget for the coming year starting in July. It included $107 million for the housing authority operating subsidy line item, which is an increase from last year. However, if we all contact our Senators, there is a chance we can increase it even more, to $125 million! 

We are also asking to increase tenant participation funds in state housing to match federal housing – from $6/unit to $25/unit.

As soon as possible, please ask your Senators to co-sponsor the following budget amendments:

• Amendment #236: Amendment #236 would provide $1 million for tenant participation funding for state public housing to raise the amount from $6/unit to $25/unit as in federal public housing, and $1 million to launch a resident maintenance program. Amendment #236 was Filed by Senator Lydia Edwards.
• Amendment #195: Amendment #195 would increase the public housing subsidy to $125 Million, an $18 Million increase over the Senate Ways & Means request of $107 Million. Public housing operating subsidy is critical to preserving public housing. Amendment #195 was filed by Senator Liz Miranda.

Please contact your Senator as soon as possible. We have until Monday May 22 to get co-sponsors before the Senate starts to debate the budget.

To find your Senator go to:
https://malegislature.gov/Search/FindMyLegislator

For more information and tips about talking to legislators, download our popular “Power of One” booklet here (PDF).

APPLICATION CLOSED AS OF 6/12/23

Application Deadline: May 31, 2023

• Salary: $75,000 FTE
• Benefits: Generous health, vision and dental benefits. Generous vacation and other paid time off.
• Hours: 32-40 hours/week
• Reports to: Executive Director

Job Description/About Us

Mass Union is seeking an experienced organizer to work directly with public housing tenants across the state. There are 240 Housing Authorities in Massachusetts, providing housing for about 75,000 households. Mass Union’s mission is to help these residents advocate for a high quality of life, including safe and sanitary living conditions. Massachusetts is the only state with a sizable amount of state-funded public housing units, which provide housing for 43,000 extremely low-income seniors, persons with disabilities, and families. The state-funded portfolio has been underfunded for decades and it is necessary to build tenant power to ensure that the buildings remain livable and tenants are treated with respect. This is a crucial fight, given the state’s affordable housing crisis.

Mass Union is governed by a board of public housing tenants. We have close working relationships with state agencies, Housing Authorities, and partners who provide legal and other support. We are a membership organization. Our members (affiliates) are democratically-run tenant organizations across the state. We currently have about 60 affiliates and are poised for significant expansion. The Director of Membership will play a key role in shaping and delivering programming to current and new affiliates in order to build power at the local and state levels. You will have the chance to help tenants form Local Tenant Organizations, which have strong regulatory rights to participate in the decision-making that occurs at Housing Authorities. You will also help shape and advocate for our policy agenda. You will be at the center of a crucial fight for housing justice.

Experience and Skills Needed

• At least five years organizing experience at the grassroots or statewide level
• Bilingual a major plus (Spanish-English preferred)
• Experience working with low-income communities, communities of color, and seniors
• Facilitation skills and strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to absorb and share accurate information about relevant laws, regulations and guidance from federal and state agencies
• Grassroots-based power analysis; understanding of the roots of poverty, inequality, racism, and classism
• Supervisory and/or training experience a plus
• Standard office and database skills
• Ability to travel across the state
• Some nights and weekends needed
• Knowledge of housing regulations and issues a plus

Duties

• With the Executive Director, work with public housing tenant leaders to form tenant organizations and build collective power, including running elections
• Assist in creating and advocating for Mass Union’s policy agenda
• Supervise a small cohort of public housing resident leaders who provide peer-to-peer support for other residents
• Provide support to tenants in filing grievances
• Speak at resident meetings and other venues
• Facilitate resident meetings and other meetings
• Track tenant engagements in Salesforce
• Manage communications with residents and others
• Provide other support as needed, particularly with fundraising and our biannual Conventions

Mass Union is based in Dorchester. This position will involve travel and some work from home is also negotiable. The Director of Membership will have the option to work 80% time if desired (with prorated salary).

How to Apply

Please submit your application to our online application page by May 31, 2023. We ask for your resume and answers to a few application questions in lieu of a cover letter. NRG Consulting Group is helping us run this search. Please contact with any questions.

Mass Union is a diverse community and we strive to be radically inclusive. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.