What is receivership? A code enforcement tool? A way to build affordable homes? A business opportunity? Spoiler alert: it’s all of the above! Our new Receivership Series will explain receivership, how someone becomes a receiver, and how nonprofits can work with receivers to develop affordable homeownership opportunities in their communities.

Session 1 will present a general overview of receivership, including the statutory and regulatory code enforcement framework, the court process, and the various ways to finance receivership.

This series is designed for:

• Contractors and rental property managers who are interested in learning more about receivership and how to become a receiver.
• Municipal code enforcement and law department officials.
• People who support affordable homeownership development as staff at CDCs.
• Lawyers interested in learning how to incorporate receivership cases into their practices.
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All attendees, and in particular those with limited exposure to receivership, are encouraged to attend Session 1 in addition to Session 2 and Session 3.

Confirmed panelists to date include:

• Judge Dina Fein, retired Housing Court judge
Dina Fein is a retired judge and thought leader focused on advancing access to justice, neighborhood stabilization, and affordable homeownership. Having served on the Massachusetts Housing Court for 21 years, Judge Fein has subject matter expertise in all areas of the law related to housing and a unique perspective on the role of housing on individuals, families, and communities.
• Assistant Attorney General Amber Villa, Chief of the AGO’s Neighborhood Renewal Division
Amber is the Chief of the Neighborhood Renewal Division (NRD) in the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office and has served in that role since 2020. NRD partners with communities to revitalize neighborhoods through the equitable preservation of existing housing and by supporting the creation of affordable housing. Among other initiatives, NRD works with municipalities to identify and rehabilitate vacant and distressed residential properties using multiple tools, including receivership.
• Mayor Christopher Johnson, Receiver and attorney representing receivers, Mayor of Agawam, MA
Chris currently serves as Mayor of the City of Agawam, which is a small city with a population of approximately 30,000 residents, and an annual operating budget over $145 million. Prior to that, he served as senior partner at the firm of Johnson, Sclafani & Moriarty where his practice concentrated in commercial/residential real estate, landlord/tenant law, receivership work and civil trial work.