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“We have to act, and we have to act now, to make it easier for everyone to find affordable places to live. We will build affordable homes at every income level and repair our long-neglected public housing.” – Governor Maura Healey, 2024 State of the Commonwealth Address
“We are proud to work with the Mass Union of Public Housing Tenants to protect and improve public housing communities across the Commonwealth. Mass Union’s tenant-led work is a meaningful voice for housing justice. We hope others will join us in supporting the Spring 2024 Conference and Lobby Day.” – Secretary of Housing and Livable Communities, Ed Augustus
Affordable housing is the #1 issue for Massachusetts’ families, communities, and economy. Safe secure public housing provides more than a place to live; it is the cornerstone that helps low-income families build educational and economic opportunity.
Skyrocketing rents across the state create an unaffordable burden for many. In fact, the most recent data identifies over 513,000 people facing this problem. For over half a century, public housing has provided affordable homes for thousands of the Commonwealth’s most vulnerable seniors, families, veterans, and persons with disabilities.
The resident-members of the Massachusetts Union of Public Housing Tenants, Mass Union, have successfully advocated for the preservation and improvement of public housing for over fifty years.
On May 19th, Mass Union’s resident-leaders will gather at the Marriott, Marlborough, for the Spring Conference. It’s a day of networking, sharing challenges and strategies for success, and learning. On May 20th, the very next day, our empowered advocates will travel to the Massachusetts State House for Mass Union’s first Lobby Day.
We invite you to join MassSave, The Boston Foundation, Local Housing Authorities, and others who have supported Mass Union, with a sponsorship for the Spring Conference and Lobby Day.
ABOUT THE SPRING CONFERENCE
“I was hesitant to attend Mass Union’s Fall Convention but I am so glad I went. I got lots of great information for our newly founded Local Tenant Organization, It really was an excellent experience. Thank you, Mass Union!” – Ellen Jacobson, Member
At the Spring Conference tenants will gather from across the Commonwealth at the Marriott Marlboro for a day of networking, learning and skill building. We work to enhance the power of grassroots leaders and to build an effective network to advocate for needed policy changes to improve housing.
ABOUT MASS UNION’S LOBBY DAY
The very next day, resident-members will board buses and head to the State House and immediately put their new skills to work at our very first Lobby Day. The members will meet with legislators to personally let them know of our recent victories, such as:
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- New proposed state regulations that will increase the amount Tenant Organizations receive from $6.00/unit/year to $25.00/unit/year. With this increase, tenant groups will have enhanced access to training, interpretation, staffing and other resources
- Participation Rights for Tenants in Local Housing Authority Management Agreements, decisions that will impact them and may adversely impact their services.
Resident-leaders will personally educate their legislators about our current priorities, including:
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- Addressing the backlog of capital needs through the $1.6 billion allocated in Affordable Homes Act,
- Protecting rights for those whose homes are undergoing redevelopment or facing Housing Authority mergers, and
- Adequately funding the Operating Subsidy for public housing in FY25.
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