Category: Past Events

  • Jan 9: Webinar: Tenant Participation in LHA Hiring

    11am – 12pm
    Online on Zoom
    Register below

    Español

    According to state regulations, tenants have strong rights to participate in the hiring of Housing Authority staff who have direct dealings with residents. Federal regulations also state that tenants may “actively participate through a working partnership with the HA to advise and assist in all aspects of public housing operations.”* Join this webinar for an overview of these regulations, as well as stories from tenants who have been involved in hiring at their LHA. We’ll hear how the process can work, what the outcomes are, and why tenant voice is crucial for these important decisions. Join us then! 

    * See 760 CMR 6.09(3)(n) and 24 CFR 964.100 

     

  • Jan-Feb 2026: LTO Board Training Series

    LTO Board Training Series
    Tuesdays, 10am-11:30am
    January 13, 20, 27, and February 3 and 10
    Online on Zoom

    Español

    REGISTration closed

    This training will review Mass Union’s LTO Board Handbook, which covers everything LTO boards need to know to get set up 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, financial reports, staying accountable to the community, language inclusion, how to get along, running community meetings, and much more.

  • Dec 12 – MKI Be A Facilitation Pro

    Presented by the Mel King Institute

    December 12 – 9:30AM to 3PM

    Urban Edge
    1542 Columbus Ave
    Roxbury, MA 02119

    REGISTER ONLINE HERE

    Wondering how to make your meetings useful, engaging, and on task? Effective meetings build connections, generate ideas, share knowledge, and can even create pathways to leadership. In this training, Jennifer Raitt will introduce participants to techniques in meeting preparation and planning, key facilitation skills to manage interpersonal and group dynamics, and how to follow-up for success. This workshop is designed to help you explore and improve your capacity to manage meetings and to connect with other individuals planning meetings by providing practical skills through active-learning, small groups, and presentations. The knowledge gained from this training can be applied to any meeting, from small committee meetings to larger public forums.

    Meeting objectives:
    • Define meeting roles and expectations
    • Understand & incorporate appropriate learning styles that invite participation and inclusion
    • Identify the characteristics of and learn how to plan a results-oriented meeting
    • Identify and apply core facilitation principles in a range of settings
    • Understand and learn to manage meetings with a range of participants

    MKI will provide coffee and pastries in the morning and lunch in the afternoon.

  • 3 de diciembre – Seminario web: La historia de la vivienda pública

    Con la profesora de Derecho de Harvard, Eloise Lawrence
    Miércoles 3 de diciembre, 11:00 – 12:00
    Vía Zoom – Regístrese abajo

    La vivienda pública tiene una larga trayectoria en Estados Unidos brindando alojamiento a quienes lo necesitan. Actualmente, 2.2 millones de personas viven en viviendas públicas en todo el país, incluyendo 800,000 niños. Únase a este seminario web para conocer por qué se creó la vivienda pública, a quiénes ha servido y los desafíos que ha superado para llegar a ser lo que es hoy. También hablaremos sobre el singular programa de vivienda pública financiado por el estado de Massachusetts, que proporciona hogar a 43,000 familias. Acompáñenos para debatir qué significa esta historia para nosotros hoy, mientras luchamos por preservar y mejorar la vivienda pública.

    Este seminario web será dirigido por Eloise Lawrence, profesora de Derecho y directora académica del Harvard Legal Aid Bureau (HLAB). En su cargo de Directora Académica, Eloise colabora con la Junta Estudiantil de HLAB para supervisar el funcionamiento de la clínica de asistencia jurídica civil dirigida por estudiantes más antigua del país. También supervisa y asesora académicamente la organización estudiantil de práctica Project No One Leaves. Lawrence ha dedicado toda su carrera a representar a personas de bajos ingresos y a grupos comunitarios de base.

    Este seminario web está dirigido a inquilinos de viviendas públicas y a sus aliados que deseen apoyar la vivienda pública.

  • December 3 – Webinar: The History of Public Housing 

    With Harvard Law Professor Eloise Lawrence
    Wednesday, December 3, 11am – 12pm
    Recorded – See Video Below

    Public housing has a long history in the United States of providing housing for those in need. Currently, 2.2 million people live in public housing nationwide, including 800,000 children. Join this webinar to learn about why public housing was created, who it has served, and the challenges it has overcome to become what it is today. We’ll also touch on the unique state-funded public housing portfolio we have here in Massachusetts, which provides a home for 43,000 households. Join us to discuss what this history means for us today, as we fight to preserve and improve public housing. 

    This webinar will be led by Eloise Lawrence, a Clinical Professor of Law and the Faculty Director of the Harvard Legal Aid Bureau (HLAB). In her role as Faculty Director, Eloise works with the HLAB Student Board to oversee the operation of the country’s oldest student-run civil legal aid clinic. She also serves as supervisor and faculty adviser for the student practice organization Project No One Leaves. Lawrence has spent her entire career representing low-income individuals and grassroots community groups.  

    This webinar is open to public housing tenants and allies who wish to support public housing. 

  • Nov 19: MKI Effective Board Meetings: Set, Lead, and Follow-through (Virtual)

    Mel King Institute – Effective Board Meetings: Set, Lead, and Follow-through (Virtual)
    November 19 (Wednesday)
    3 pm – 4:30 pm
    Well-run board meetings are essential to avoid bottlenecks in decision-making and ensure success in any nonprofit. This workshop provides board members with practical tools to structure agendas that facilitate focused discussions and ensure all members leave meetings with clear responsibilities and shared understanding.
    Key Topics Covered:
    • Best practices for preparing for meetings, particularly for those presenting information
    • How to develop agendas that prioritize efficient use of time and decision-making
    • Using consent agendas and dashboards to streamline routine updates
    • Best practices for effective facilitation and how all board members can contribute to a productive meeting environment
    • Strategies for setting clear next steps and follow-through expectations before the meeting closes
    This workshop will be led by Mel King’s Institute’s Leadership Development Program Manager, Viana Nascimento. 

    REGISTER HERE

  • Oct 27: MKI Resident LHA Board Member Training (Virtual)

    Mel King Institute – Resident LHA Board Member Training (Virtual)
    October 27 (Monday)
    3 pm – 4:30 pm
    This workshop introduces the key knowledge areas needed for effective Local Housing Authority public housing resident board member leadership. It is the core curriculum of the Mel King’s Institute Public Housing Training Program and is taught by Viana Nascimento, our Leadership Development Manager. The main topics covered in this workshop include:
    • Appointment process

    • Board member rights and responsibilities

    • Policy development

    • State oversight

    • Fiduciary role

    • Financial oversight

    • Meeting conduct

    • Chain of command

    • Conflict of interest

    • Relationship with local tenant organizations

    REGISTER HERE

  • Aug 14: Webinar: The Nuts and Bolts of Public Housing Authorities Funding Shortfalls

    Webinar: The Nuts and Bolts of Public Housing Authorities Funding Shortfalls and How to Protect Tenants from the Fallout

    The United States has the resources to ensure that all of us have the freedom to live in a safe and affordable home. Join the National Housing Law Project for a training to learn about the nuts and bolts of public housing authority funding shortfalls and how to protect tenants from the fallout.

    Thursday, August 14, 2025

    2:00pm – 3:00pm ET

    This 60-minute training will explain what shortfall status means from both a financial and policy perspective, the range of cost-saving measures housing authorities may implement in the face of funding shortfalls, how to ascertain whether a housing authority is in shortfall status, and actions to take with housing authorities to ensure shortfall policies have the least impact on tenants.

    Speakers:

     

    • Noelle Porter, National Housing Law Project
    • Parisa Ijadi-Maghsoodi, National Housing Law Project
    • Sonya Acosta, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
    • John Concannon, Housing Authority of the City of Westbrook
    • Chad Ruppel, City of Madison Community Development Authority
  • 3-5 Octubre: Convención de Otoño de 2025

    La Convención de Otoño de 2025 se llevará a cabo en el Best Western en Marlborough, MA.

    La programación se ofrecerá el viernes 3 de octubre, el sábado 4 de octubre y la mañana del domingo 5 de octubre. ¡Esté atento para más detalles!

    Se prestarán servicios de interpretación y traducción en español. Haga clic aquí para registrarse en ingles.

    REGÍSTRESE A CONTINUACIÓN

    ¿Le preocupa el costo? Haga clic aquí para ver nuestra página sobre cómo su Autoridad de Vivienda puede financiar su evento patrocinando la Convención.

    El registro en línea para la Convención ha finalizado. Si desea asistir, llámenos al 617-865-9338.

    Ya no hay habitaciones de hotel disponibles para reservar. Todos los asistentes que reservaron una habitación antes del 25 de septiembre tendrán una.

    ¡Gracias a nuestro patrocinador principal, Chase Bank!

    ¡Gracias a nuestro patrocinador , Mass Broadband Institute!

  • Aug 20: Know Your Rights: Immigration & ICE

    Know Your Rights webinar – August 20 at 12-1pm

    From MIRA Coalition

    This training will cover basic Know Your Rights information, including rights in interactions with immigration enforcement, including when immigration comes to your home or stops you while driving, family preparedness, public charge, where to get legal help, and information on notario fraud and immigration scams. Register here!

    To request a Know Your Rights in the Workplace for Employers and Employees training contact achavezandonie@miracoalition.org

     

    To request a Know Your Rights and Best Practices for Service Providers training contact training@miracoalition.org