Mass Union’s Policy Agenda – Mass Union of Public Housing Tenants

November, 2024

In the Fall of 2023 Mass Union adopted nine policy priority areas listed here. We are proud to report accomplishments in many of them! See our list of accomplishments here.

In 2025, Mass Union will continue to focus on the following items.

1. In coalition with other groups, ensure that the bond cap is increased in order to allow increased capital funds to flow to Local Housing Authorities (LHAs).
2. Ensure that tenants participate in their LHA’s capital planning process.
3. Make sure tenants and LHAs understand new tenant protections regarding redevelopment, which were part of the Affordable Homes Act. Read more here.
4. Advocate for funding for Technical Assistance during redevelopment, including lawyers, organizers, housing finance experts, engineers, architects, etc.
5. Advocate for increases to the state budget’s Operating Subsidy for public housing.
6. Work with the Executive Office of Housing & Livable Communities (EOHLC) on a Public Housing Notice designed to clarify tenant participation regulations. Read more here.
7. Enforce and improve grievance regulations.
8. Improve rent certification requirements in light of tenant privacy.
9. In coalition, fight to make the Access to Counsel program for tenants facing eviction stable and permanent.