Latest News

Hello from Mass Union

Hello from Mass Union! My name is Sarah Byrnes and I am delighted to be the new Executive Director here at Mass Union. I started on Wednesday March 1 and it has been an excellent first week! I want to thank the board and staff for their very warm welcome.

Many of you know me from my time at the Mel King Institute, where I worked for over six years running the Public Housing Training Program. Through that work I was fortunate to get to know many residents and their advocates.

I will be holding an Open Zoom Meeting for affiliates and residents on March 23 at 10am to introduce myself to the community. Please join me and other members of the MU team then! Contact Info@MassUnion.org for the Zoom link.

At the session, you will have a chance to get to know me and other residents, learn about Mass Union’s upcoming Convention, and provide your input about the direction of Mass Union.

Speaking of the Convention, please Save the Date!

Mass Union Spring Convention
May 5, 2023 – May 7, 2023
Best Western, Royal Plaza Hotel & Trade Center
181 Boston Post Road
Marlborough, MA

Registration information will be coming soon.

Stay tuned for more updates, and thank you for being part of the Mass Union community.

MU Proposed By-Laws

Please Review our Proposals!

In the Fall, Mass Union Board will convene the Fall 2022 Convention where we will vote on by-law amendments. Before the convention, we want to give Mass Union affiliates an opportunity to review and give feedback on proposed by-law amendments.

Here are links to the:

  1. By-laws with the Proposed Amendments
  2. Summary of Proposed Amendments for the Spring 2022 Convention
  3. An Online Survey

Mass Union is also mailing all of these materials to affiliates.

Chance to Review

MUPHT will be rescheduling its online zoom meeting for affiliates to review proposed by-laws. Stand by for more information.

Affiliate Feedback

There are two ways to give the Board feedback:

  1. mail in the hardcopy survey by August 10 or
  2. submit the online survey by August 17 at https://bit.ly/3bHUY9K

Update on Spring 2022 Convention

Click for an update on votes taken at the Update on Spring 2022 Convention

POSTPONED: MASS UNION OF PUBLIC HOUSING SPRING CONVENTION

Due to Federal and State directives regarding the Coronavirus(Covid-19) emergency, Mass Union Convention is postponed.

On Tuesday March 10th Charlie Baker Governor of Massachusetts declared a state of emergency in an effort to manage a “significant uptick” of coronavirus cases.

Mass DPH’s website has information and best practices on coronavirus in Massachusetts, including current cases, current quarantine numbers, and prevention recommendations. This information is updated daily at the above link. Guidance at this time essentially asks residents to take special care of hygiene, as one would do to control the spread of influenza.

  • Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
  • Clean things that are frequently touched (like doorknobs and countertops) with household
    cleaning spray or wipes.
  • Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze. Use a tissue or your inner elbow, not your hands.
  • Stay home if you are sick and avoid close contact with others.

Continue reading POSTPONED: MASS UNION OF PUBLIC HOUSING SPRING CONVENTION

BHA Administrator: “Just a Kid from Southie”

BHA Administrator, Bill McGonagle, talks leadership and his own experiences growing up in public housing.

In continuing to recognize individuals as leaders with passions to serve others at the BHA, many consider BHA’s own Administrator, Bill McGonagle, to be a sympathetic leader—demonstrating sincerity and concern for residents since stepping into the top spot in 2009.

However, according to McGonagle, his passion to lead and serve is not just rooted in his professional resume, which is filled with roles in human service, but also derives from experiences he gained while growing up in BHA’s very own Mary Ellen McCormack Public Housing development in South Boston.

Born and raised in a large Irish-Catholic family, McGonagle lived in a small apartment with his five brothers and sisters. Although his family possessed little financially, McGonagle recognized at an early age, the importance of family and community. His fondest childhood memories included bonding with his two brothers at the beach in the summer and being an altar boy at Saint Monica and Augustine Catholic Church at Mass on Sunday mornings.

Continue reading BHA Administrator: “Just a Kid from Southie”

Massachusetts Union of Public Housing Tenants 2019 Fall Convention

The Massachusetts Union of Public Housing Tenants Policy Board and Staff would like to announce its 2019 Fall Convention to be held, October 19, 2019. This event will be hosted at the Four Point Hotel, 1125 Providence Turnpike, Norwood MA 02360.

Convention Theme: Preserve our homes and rights

Now is the time to start planning for the Fall Convention. Schedule your request for funding at your Local Resident Council, Local Housing Authority (LHA), or plan a Fundraising event to help cover the cost of the convention.

Download links:

Continue reading Massachusetts Union of Public Housing Tenants 2019 Fall Convention

Broad Coalition Urges Judiciary Committee to Pass Right to Counsel

On Tuesday, the Judiciary Committee held its hearing on Right to Counsel bills. It was standing room only. There was strong testimony from tenants, housing advocates, municipal leaders, and legislators. Many others submitted written testimony.

See who was in the room: Broad Coalition Urges Judiciary Committee to Pass Right to Counsel

Continue reading Broad Coalition Urges Judiciary Committee to Pass Right to Counsel

Massachusetts Union of Public Housing Tenants 2019 Spring Convention

The Massachusetts Union of Public Housing Tenants Policy Board and Staff would like to announce its 2019 Spring Convention will take place on April 12 – 14, at the Four Point Hotel, 1125 Providence Turnpike, Norwood MA 02360.

Convention Theme: Resident Collaboration with Housing Management.

Now is the time to start planning for the Spring Convention. Schedule your request for funding at your Local Resident Council, Local Housing Authority (LHA), or plan a Fundraising event to help cover the cost of the convention.

Download links for the 2019 convention agenda, registration, and affiliation forms:

Agenda for 2019 Spring Convention

Registration for 2019 Spring Convention

2019 Affiliation Dues MUPHT
Continue reading Massachusetts Union of Public Housing Tenants 2019 Spring Convention

Mass NAHRO Conference

Joint Committee on Housing passes H.4981 (Housing Authority Tenant Board Member in towns)

Attached is the final power point that Jack and Annette presented at the MassNAHRO conference on Tuesday December 4 about how LHAs can “encourage and assist” residents in forming LTO’s and where the line is in terms of what they should not do. The slide show was based on a feedback from residents who participated on Public Housing Training program zoom calls

PPTX: MassNAHRO.pptx