Author: MUPHT

Download the Housing Authority Sponsorships PDF

This spring, Mass Union and MassNAHRO are once again teaming up to encourage Housing Authorities to send resident leaders to our Convention and Lobby Day. Thank you again to our Fall Convention supporters – the Fall River, Salem, Needham, Attleboro, Cambridge, Easthampton, Northampton, and Watertown Housing Authorities!

On May 19, resident leaders will gather at the Marriott in Marlborough for the Spring Conference for a day of networking and learning. The very next day, our empowered advocates will travel to the Massachusetts State House for Mass Union’s very first Lobby Day, where we will hear remarks from high-ranking officials (names TBA!) as well as representatives from MassNAHRO. At Lobby Day, we are excited to advocate for increased capital and operating funding for Housing Authorities – issues important to us all.

As you know, the regulations remind us that “cooperative working relationships enhance housing programs and benefit both LHAs and residents.” Educated tenants are an asset to any Housing Authority! Many LTOs currently receive only $500/year in Participation Funds, making Conference attendance out of reach. Mass Union works hard to reduce Convention costs but your help is needed to expand this opportunity for more residents. To show our appreciation for your commitment to resident education, Mass Union and MassNAHRO will recognize Housing Authorities who send tenants to our Convention in our publications. Please see the table below for recognition levels.

Housing Authorities may also buy ads in our Program Book for $50, $80, or $125. See more info here.

Residents can register for the event by April 24 here. Thank you in advance for your commitment to resident participation!

Resident Patron Send 10+ Residents HA logo on event signage and swag Back Cover or Inside Front Cover ad in program book (while space lasts) Recognition on Mass Union’s website, event emails and social media Recognition in MassNAHRO’s publications

Resident Sustainer Send 5+ Residents HA logo on event signage and swag Full page ad in program book Recognition on Mass Union’s website, event emails, and social media Recognition in MassNAHRO’s publications

Resident Sponsor Send 2+ ResidentsHA logo on event signage and swag Half page ad in program book Recognition on Mass Union’s website, event emails, and social media Recognition in MassNAHRO’s publications

Questions? Contact Sarah Byrnes, Mass Union Executive Director

sarah@massunion.org  617- 825-9750

Thank you, we are grateful for your support!

Director (4 Seats available) Nominees: Gene Collins, Portia Gray-Goffigan, Kathleen Hunt, Lori Manzo, Rosa Marchese, Cassandra Page, and Sally Sennott

GENE COLLINS

Hello,

I am Gene Collins; I have been working with tenants to address tenant issues for the last eight years. I have a degree in Business Administration and 20+ years of experience as a manager and team member. I am a past city planning board member and served as a member of the city Board of Health prior. I have served on many boards before and hope to be an effective team member.

I would like to be a director to help the union grow membership, work with tenants from across the state to improve quality of life and be effective change agents.

 

PORTIA GRAY-GOFFIGAN

Portia Gray-Goffigan has been a resident  of the Attleboro Housing Authority for 29 years. In 2005, with the training and support of Mass Union for Public Housing Tenants, and Attorney Annette Duke of Mass Law Reform; Portia and fellow residents created the current LTO for the family and scattered sites units of the AHA. Portia still actively serves as President. Advocating for the rights of others has always been a great passion in Portia’s life. She served 6 years on the Attleboro Council on Human Rights. Portia is college educated, a published author, a mother of four and grandmother of six.

 

KATHLEEN HUNT

My name is Kathleen Hunt, and I am probably best remembered from our last election as the person who initially won a seat on the Mass Union Board only to lose by one in the recount vote.  On that day, I did a lot of standing up and sitting down during the nomination process so I am hoping I will be more successful in this upcoming election.

I have been a resident of Topsfield living in Senior Housing for the past 12 years and President of our Tenant Association for the past 8.  While each of us has a unique story on why we live in public housing, most if not all have experienced some financial change, illness and the challenges of aging. Moving into Senior Housing, I imagined wine gatherings, movie theater bus rides, chair yoga and social interaction. What I encountered were isolated, angry residents afraid of the Executive Director, who gossiped about their neighbors or who acted like the mean girls of high school. I made a conscious decision to form a tenant association to empower residents, to stand up as a group against bullying, and find the positives in our remaining years.  It has taken 8 years to finally have a Housing Authority Board that is pro-tenant, to have the Tenant Organization listed on the Board of Director’s Agenda, and to have residents attend a social function to actually have fun.  This accomplishment was based on building our community through constant interaction, transparency and making each resident reach out to a new resident, his/her neighbor and be recognized for acts of kindness. Prior to my retirement, I had another life as a Professor, a United Way Board Member and other credentials I hope you won’t hold against me. I am very analytical, hardworking and have a dry sense of humor.

 

LORI MANZO

I would like to nominate myself Lori Manzo.

I am the president of REVERE CITY-WIDE TENANT COUNCIL.

 

 

 

 

ROSA MARCHESE

My name is Rosa Marchese,

I was born in Corato Bari, Italy, where I lived with my family until the age of six. We moved to Venezuela, South America. I married and had three sons.

In 1983 we moved to the United States and a few years later we opened our Italian Bakery and my three children became US citizens.

In 2008 my husband passed away and I had to close our bakery and go to work for other people.

In 2019 I moved into Belchertown Housing and became a United States citizen. I was also elected Secretary of our newly formed LTO.

I am an empath that speaks English, Italian and Spanish. I have had three years of working with residents in public housing and tying to educated our Board of Commissioners and Executive Director about our LTO.

I feel my skills would be an asset to the Mass Union Board.

Thank you for your consideration.

 

CASSANDRA PAGE

Greetings all,

My name is Cassandra Page.

I am a long time resident of the Belmont Housing Authority.

I served on the BHA board as both the treasure & assistant treasure.

Since I was a teen I’ve dedicated my time doing volunteer work in many capacities. From soup kitchens to coaching sports, I enjoy helping  people of all ages.

In 2019 I started my journey helping other low income residents. I reached out to Mass Union for help getting the Belmont Tenant Association started. I played a crucial role in organizing the TA so they could be a recognized LTO.

I have organized several holiday drives for residents at the family & elderly developments.

I look forward to continuing my public housing service work serving residents and hope to join the Mass union board of directors.

Respectfully,

Cassandra Page

SALLY SENNOTT

1. I have lived at Waverley Oaks Senior Community, Belmont, MA for 5 years and this is my 3^rd year as the Vice President of the Belmont Tenant Association. I also serve as the Treasurer.
2. I have a college degree from Duke University, Durham, NC.
3. I am MTA retired and had a dual career in business and education.
4. I know how to facilitate a meeting.
5. I speak well.
6. I write well.
7. I listen well.
8. I have a laptop and internet connection.
9. I’ve been attending BHA regular and special meetings for 3 years and have been articulating tenant needs all of this time.
10. I am a team player and believe in the shared pursuit of goals.
11. I have attended the last two Fall Conventions of Mass Union.I’m a board member of the non-profit Belmont Against Racism and I believe in justice, equity, compassion and affordable housing.
12.  I was appointed to the Belmont Housing Authority Board effective April 3, 2024.

Candidates for Chair: Don Hamilton and Dave Underhill

Don Hamilton

My name is Donald Hamilton, I am running for the office of CHAIR of Mass Union. I am President of Bishop Eid Tenants Association, I am the Vice-chair of the Board of The Fall River Tenants Association, I am Secretary on the Board of Mass Union. I have been active in all 3 positions. As President of Bishop Eid, I helped organized, write, and receive a Grant for $100K. The Grant gave us Outside Lighting and Security Cameras. As member of the Fall River Tenants Association, I have recently help with the election process in 1 Building with more elections to follow. As a member of Mass Union, I have helped in an election in the Boston Area, I have run 2 different workshops at our conventions, appeared in Quincy to give support for a training session. I have appeared in and gave testimony in 2 in person meetings with EOHLC (DHCD). When asked to help I took the lead. I am a man of my word I do what I say. TENANTS, TENANTS, TENANTS my first loyalty, my second loyalty is to the Board of Mass Union. I will do what is best for the Tenants and what is best for Mass Union. I respectfully ask for your vote and for your support.

Dave Underhill

Many of you already know me, my name is David Underhill, and I would appreciate your vote in my quest to continue as the Chairman of the MASS Union of Public Housing Tenants. Inc. The following are a few of my credentials that make me the perfect person to continue as Chairman.

• Current Chairman of MASS Union Board (2023 – Present)
• Former Vice Chairman of MASS Union Board (2021 – 2023)
• Member of MASS Union Board (2015 -2021)
• Current chairman of the Fall River Housing Joint Tenants Council (2018 – present)
• Member of the Fall River Housing Joint Tenant Council (2015 – present)
• Instrumental in getting the Tenant Assistant program at the Fall River Housing Authority implemented.
• Current Commissioner and vice chairman of the Fall River Housing Authority Board of Commissioners (2015 – Present)
• Resident Researcher with the Healthy Neighborhood Initiative (2021 – Present)

Based on my credentials I ask that you consider casting your affiliate’s vote for me to continue as your chairman.  When reelected I will work hard to ensure that MASS Union’s voice is heard at all levels of Government within the Commonwealth.

Candidate for Vice Chair: Maryanne Potrzuski

To all the affiliates of Mass Union, my name is MARYANNE POTRZUSKI and I am on the board of Mass Union as a Director and temporary Secretary. I am also President of the Winthrop Terrace Tenant Organization as well as a Board of Commissioner/Chair for the Warren Housing Authority. As a tenant I have seen some of the confusion we face and have worked very hard to make this housing a safe place to live. One of my goals as Chair was to get as many tenants as possible on the board of commissioners and to date, we have 3 out of 5 with a potential of a 4^th coming soon! What better way to have a voice than with the ability to have a VOTE!! For this reason I am seeking the position of Vice Chair to continue to do this very important work and hope I can count on your vote at the Spring Convention! I hope I can count on your vote!

Candidate for Secretary: Carol Roberts

Hi, my name is Carol Roberts, I am running for the position of Secretary of Mass Union.

I am the President of Caffrey Towers Tenants Association, in Brockton, Massachusetts.  I have been in this position for over three years.  I have also been the treasurer.  I am now serving as the President of the Resident Advocacy Board for the tenants.  As a board member on Mass Union, I will do my job to the best of my ability.

Candidate for Treasurer: Sonia Andujar

My main interest as a Board member is to continue understanding and practicing our A,B,C’s that is the legal duties that will continue to move Mass Union forward:

1. 1. Duty of care – the wise use of all assets
2. Duty of loyalty-approve all activities that advance Mass Union mission
3. Duty of compliance- follows the By-laws and other applicable laws and regulations

I am a member of the Alliance of Cambridge Tenants (ACT) since 2008 . I have been a Board Member acting as Treasurer and now coordinate their City Wide Meetings where tenants come together to find solutions to their housing issues. We work closely with the Cambridge Housing Authority. I am asking for your vote to continue as acting Treasurer and thank you for your consideration.

Candidate for Assistant Treasurer: Danielle Connolly

My name is Danielle Connolly and I am a Mass Union director and hold the interim Assistant Treasurer position on the board. I am also Vice President of the Stoneham Housing Residents Union. I am seeking the permanent Assistant Treasurer position for Mass Union come our Spring convention. I have been on the finance committee since being elected to the board and feel I would be a great contribution under Sonia to oversee Mass Union’s financial duties. I love being a part of an organization whose sole purpose is to be the voice of the tenants! I kindly ask for your vote in May to be your Assistant Treasurer of Mass Union. Thank you!

Lobby Day is a special day for tenants to meet with legislators face-to-face and tell them how important it is to protect and improve public housing. By showing up together at the State House, we show our elected leaders that we are fighting for our rights and we are paying attention to how they vote.

This spring, the Massachusetts legislature is debating a once-every-five-year “bond bill,” as well as the FY25 budget. The bond bill, known as the Affordable Homes Act, provides $1.6 billion for public housing repairs and capital needs. While more is needed, this is a great start in the right direction! We need to ensure that our representatives do not weaken this bill before it passes in the summer!

How it Works

Tenants will arrive at the state house around 9:30 on May 20 and the programming will begin at 10:00am. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. (See information about transportation and interpretation here.) In the morning, we will hear from the distinguished leaders listed above, as well as our partners at MassNAHRO.

After the full group morning session, tenants will break into smaller groups and meet directly with either their elected representatives or members of the House and Senate leadership, or their staff. Our team will arrange these meetings with support from consultant Elaine Almquist, and you will be trained and provided with talking points before you meet with reps. No one will have to speak unless they are comfortable doing so! Each small group will have designated leaders to make this work well.

During the free time between your small group meetings, we will provide other optional activities such as informational sessions with our partners, chair yoga, and lunch. Buses will then depart the state house around 2:30.

Lobby Day is free for tenants! For others, we suggest a $50 donation to cover the costs of lunch and transportation.

Fill out the form below to apply to become a Mass Union Network Leader! Accepted applicants will be enrolled in the Network Leader Training Program described here. Upon successful completion of the training program, you will become a Network Leader! Please note that this is a contract position, not a staff role.

Application Deadline: March 1, 2024

Applications are not currently being accepted