Category: Past Events

Join other tenants from Mass Union at an upcoming hearing about the FY25 State Budget!

Joint Committee on Ways & Means Hearing on the State Budget
Friday, March 8
Gloucester City Hall, 9 Dale Ave, Gloucester, MA 01930

10:00 – Tenants gather at City Hall
10:30 – Hearing begins
12:30 – Mass Union lunch at McPherson Park development (tentative)

The hearing is focused on Housing, Economic Development, and Labor and state agencies are invited to testify. It is an opportunity for Mass Union members to hear testimony from the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities. If you can not join Mass Union members in person, it may also likely be live streamed (check back for the link).

Please email Sarah Byrnes, sarah@massunion.org, to RSVP or with questions. Hope to see you there!

Mass Union applauds the Healey Administration for funding crucial programs in the Governor’s FY25 budget, specifically:

• Increasing the operating subsidy to $112 million for public housing, a $5 million increase from last year. While more is needed, this is a very important step in the right direction.
• The operating subsidy will also fund an increase to Tenant Participation Funds, allowing tenants to have a stronger voice in the decision-making that impacts their lives.
• We also applaud the allocation of $50 million for capital repairs in public housing in the FY24 supplemental budget.
• And finally, we are thrilled to see the initiation of an Access to Counsel Program for tenants facing eviction, funded at $3.5 million.

We urge the legislature to adopt or increase these funding levels to protect the Massachusetts seniors, veterans, and families who rely on our precious state public housing.

Join Resident Board Members from across the state to share stories, challenges and accomplishments! Two experienced resident board members, Carol Roberts of Brockton and Jessica Quinonez of Northampton, will facilitate an open agenda. As said by a resident board member at a recent training, “we are all in the same boat!”

Potential discussion topics:

• • Navigating board rules and regulations
  • Working with other board members, executive directors and local tenant organizations
  • Building confidence and leadership

Resident Board Member Roundtable Training: Wednesday, April 3, 2024 from 10am-11am. 

Register here: https://www.tfaforms.com/4634263?tfa_1=PHTP%20Resident%20Board%20Member%20Roundtable&tfa_2=2024-04-03&tfa_4=&tfa_12=701Qg000009n3cJ&tfa_3=

Prior to the training, we will send you the Zoom link. If you have any questions, you can email or call me at emmac@macdc.org, 617-379-5933.

This roundtable is being offered by our partner the Mel King Institute.

Mass Union’s partner GBIO is planning a rally to help bring the Housing Justice Campaign across the finish line by standing over 1,700 people strong!

We look forward to standing for housing justice alongside all of you at the Islamic Society of Boston Cultural Center (ISBCC)! The action will start at 3pm sharp.

Address: 100 Malcolm X Blvd, Roxbury, MA 02120
Parking and transit information coming soon

Registration is now closed

Have you ever been frustrated during a meeting that wasn’t well planned? Ever get stuck in a meeting where nothing gets accomplished? If so, you are not alone! Luckily there is a blueprint for leading engaging, efficient and effective community meetings. Join our February Zoom webinar to learn more.

What: Facilitating Community Meetings Webinar

When: Wednesday, February 28th, 1:00pm-2:30pm on Zoom (register below)

Who: All tenants within the Mass Union network

Why: Develop your skills with tools on meeting planning, agenda setting, facilitation, achieving group cohesion, and evaluation.

This webinar will be led by Maria Fernandes-Dominique of Culture Builders Cooperative LLC and is part of our partnership with the Mel King Institute. We look forward to your participation! 

To register, email sarah@massunion.org.

Registration is now closed

Thursday, December 21, 2023
10AM – 11AM

Join us to celebrate a year of transition and accomplishments! Mass Union has been busy working with our affiliates to build power for all so that we can make the changes we need to public housing. We’ll take a moment to reflect on our successes as well as the work still ahead. Bring your gratitude list and your “public housing holiday wish list” to share. We’ll throw in a little holiday trivia as well. Hope to see you there!

We will send you the Zoom link after you register below. Thank you!

Registration is now closed

This Roundtable is being offered as part of our partnership with the Mel King Institute. Read more here.

When: Wednesday, December 13, 2023, 10am-12pm
Register here: https://bit.ly/RMBT-dec13

This free two-hour 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.