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The state’s waitlist for public housing has climbed to an astonishing 184,000 people. The state manages 43,000 units of public housing but only about 3,000 units turn over per year. Massachusetts is also experiencing a shelter crisis and housing advocates have identified the need for 190,000 more affordable homes. In other words, housing is desperately needed.

Meanwhile, 2,300 public housing apartments are sitting vacant or offline, as reported in great detail by WBUR.

In a recent meeting with the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC; formerly DHCD), Mass Union and its members brought the issue of vacant units to the attention of key staff. Our partners have also been highlighting this issue and our attorney, Annette Duke, was interviewed on WBUR about this topic.

These efforts have resulted in new action by the state. On September 22, EOHLC announced a new initiative that will provide money and technical assistance to LHAs in order to get more units back online. EOHLC is making a 90-push to assist in reoccupying units.

Mass Union’s Executive Director, Sarah Byrnes said “Our members, who are public housing residents, are frustrated to see vacant unused apartments. They know that these these apartments are desperately needed and they were able to bring this issue to key decision-makers.”

“Mass Union would like to thank EOHLC for taking action to restore vacant units for occupancy,” added Byrnes. “We applaud this initiative and look forward to ensuring that the new funds and assistance effectively accomplish the goal of bringing units back online and housing people who need it.”

Media Coverage

Listen to Mass Union’s attorney Annette Duke on WBUR talk about the vacant unit crisis and how public housing can help.

Read WBUR’s full report on vacant units here and find out how many units are offline in your community with an interactive map: “Mass. has a huge waitlist for state-funded housing. So why are there 2,300 vacant units?”

Benjamin Echevarria is the new Director of Organizing for the Mass Union of Public Housing Tenants! Welcome aboard Ben!

Ben can be reached at ben@massunion.org or through our main office line. Ben will be focusing on helping start, sustain and strengthen Local Tenant Organizations, as well as advancing Mass Union’s policy agenda at the statehouse.

Ben previously served as Executive Director of The Welcome Project, an organization dedicated to building the collective power of immigrants to shape community decisions. A pastor and a longtime leader in the Latino community, Ben’s work in the social justice movement has led him to organize and advocate for those whose voice isn’t being heard. At The Welcome Project, Ben led the organization to fight to ensure immigrants were part of the fabric of their community. Ben was a Trustee for Cambridge HealthAlliance, a Treasurer for Community Works, and Co-Chair of Tisch College Research Center at Tufts University. His leadership on equity and equality has earned him the recognition of the State House of Representatives, being named one of Somerville’s top 40 leaders by Scout Magazine, and One of the “100 Most Influential People on the Latino Community” by El Planeta Newspaper. After finishing culinary school Ben worked for several chefs before launching his own catering company. His passion for cooking led him to intern for the PBS cooking show Simply Ming Season 1. He has also worked as a test cook for several cookbooks. Ben continues to cook but mostly for friends and family.

 

 

Collaborating to enhance Resident Leadership

The Mel King Institute and Mass Union of Public Housing Tenants are excited to announce a training partnership designed to enhance residents’ leadership capacities. Since 2016, the Mel King Institute has been running the Public Housing Training Program (PHTP), providing training for tenants so that they can more meaningfully participate in the decision-making that impacts their lives. This very highly-regarded program has been a component of MKI’s larger work to provide education for professionals and community leaders in the Community Development field.

The Public Housing Training Program (PHTP) has always operated in close collaboration with its partner organizations: the Mass Union of Public Housing Tenants, MassNAHRO, DHCD (now EOHLC), Mass Law Reform, and the Mass Housing Partnership. In March of 2023 Sarah Byrnes, previously the Director of the PHTP at Mel King, transitioned to become the Executive Director at the Mass Union of Public Housing Tenants. Mass Union provides a full array of support for tenants and tenant organizations. Training is an integral part of this mission, making a stronger collaboration between Mel King and Mass Union a natural next step in the evolution of the program.

Over the next six months our two organizations will partner to produce trainings for Resident Leaders and Resident Board Members, including webinars, our online training series, and in-person events. This partnership will make use of Mass Union’s 50+ years of history supporting tenants, as well as MKI’s renowned commitment to providing excellent training. We are jointly committed to ensuring continuity in the design and delivery of the trainings in order to maximize tenants’ leadership development so that they can accomplish their goals for their communities. Please keep an eye on our websites for additional details. Thank you!

Organizing is like spaghetti. One strand alone is easy to break with one hand. But bring a whole bunch of strands together – they become unbreakable.
– Arlene Carr, Resident Leader

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).