Public Housing Training Program

Image
phtp graphic

About 

The Public Housing Training Program (PHTP) is designed to support public housing residents who serve as members of Local Housing Authority (LHA) boards in Massachusetts. Through this program, they will gain knowledge, leadership skills, and confidence to play an active role in the decision making that affects their lives and communities.

The program provides direct training, primarily through virtual workshops. Some sessions are open to all LHA board members, while others are reserved for resident board members so they can focus on the unique challenges they face. Additionally, resident board members are welcome to join a wide range of professional and board development trainings offered to the broader nonprofit community through the Mel King Institute including our CDC Board Development workshops. Alongside training, the program also creates networking opportunities where resident board members can connect, share experiences, and learn from one another.

Program goal

We built this program to support residents in this key leadership role who want to strengthen their voices, develop their skills, and fully participate in shaping the policies and decisions that affect public housing communities. Through our approach, we not only teach technical skills such as understanding regulations, contracts, and audits, but also crucial people skills such as facilitating meetings, effective communication, conflict resolution, and issue identification. We also ensure that equity and inclusion are thoroughly discussed and considered in our curriculum. Our trainings make it clear that every tenant’s voice matters, that lived experience has value, and that diverse perspectives are essential for thriving communities.

Program structure

At the Mel King Institute, we believe in a popular education approach. This means that we:

  • always start with residents’ lived experiences
  • our staff and trainers engage participants to identify the issues that matter most to them and to work together in interactive workshops.
  • aim to help resident board members overcome common challenges such as fear, hopelessness, and division, when faced with limited resources and power structures.

Our PHTP curriculum has grown organically over several years, guided by the voices of countless resident leaders and the expertise of skilled trainers. Every session is different because it reflects the needs and experiences of the people in the room. The result is a program that balances technical knowledge with people-centered learning. It builds networks of shared power and equips resident board members with the confidence and skills to represent their communities with strength, clarity, and an equity lens.

How do I get involved?

  • Explore Resident Board Member opportunities using our Event Calendar.
  • Subscribe to our Newsletter! We publish one issue during the first week of each month and always include a Public Housing Training Program section highlighting upcoming events and workshops.
  • Check out our YouTube Training Resources Playlist to watch webinars that we have conducted in the past.

Funders and Partners

The Mel King Institute’s Public Housing Training Program is made possible with funding and support from:

This Public Housing Training Program also relies ongoing collaboration and partnership with:

 

PHTP Advisory Committee

The PHTP Advisory Committee is comprised of representatives from the following organizations: