Slides for Webinar: Understanding Who's Who - DHCD, the LHA Board, and the Local Tenant Organization 2.8.23

Sarah O'Leary and Bill Halfpenny, DHCD
For Residents and LHA Board Members Join this webinar with DHCD and the Mel King Institute to understand the different powers of the Local Tenant Organization, the LHA Board, and DHCD. Residents will learn more about the "chain of command" for resolving individual problems, the expansive powers of their local Board, and the limits of DHCD's authority.

Webinar: Understanding Who's Who - DHCD, the LHA Board, and the Local Tenant Organization 2.8.23

Sarah O'Leary and Bill Halfpenny, DHCD
For Residents and LHA Board Members Join this webinar with DHCD and the Mel King Institute to understand the different powers of the Local Tenant Organization, the LHA Board, and DHCD. Residents will learn more about the "chain of command" for resolving individual problems, the expansive powers of their local Board, and the limits of DHCD's authority.

Slides for Running Community Meetings Webinar 2.8.23

Gillian Mason
Join MKI Trainer Gillian Mason for a discussion about how your LTO can run a good community meeting. We speak about reasons for holding meetings, the role meetings play in an effective tenant association, and share some sample meeting agendas. We also speak about balancing participation and handling tough participants.

Running Community Meetings Webinar 2.8.23

Gillian Mason
Join MKI Trainer Gillian Mason for a discussion about how your LTO can run a good community meeting. We speak about reasons for holding meetings, the role meetings play in an effective tenant association, and share some sample meeting agendas. We also speak about balancing participation and handling tough participants.

RLA Tenant Participation Regulations - Trivia Answer Key


Resident Leadership Academy Tenant Participation Regulation Trivia Answer Key

Slides for Webinar: Performance Management Reviews (PMR) with DHCD 12.7.22

Lisa Taylor and Robert Garrett, DHCD
Local Housing Authorities participate in a Performance Management Review (PMR) in the areas of finance/management, capital, maintenance, and CHAMP as established by the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). In this presentation, DHCD will give an overview of PMR criteria and will specifically focus on the new CHAMP and maintenance PMR criteria.

Webinar: Performance Management Reviews (PMR) with DHCD 12.7.22

Lisa Taylor and Robert Garrett, DHCD
Local Housing Authorities participate in a Performance Management Review (PMR) in the areas of finance/management, capital, maintenance, and CHAMP as established by the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). In this presentation, DHCD will give an overview of PMR criteria and will specifically focus on the new CHAMP and maintenance PMR criteria.

Slides for Capital Project Implementation Process, Featuring DHCD 10.18.22

Stefanie Brynen, DHCD
Join this webinar with DHCD (The Department of Housing and Community Development) to learn more about implementing capital improvements at your Local Housing Authority. We discuss how residents and board members are involved in this process.

Slides for Community Leadership 101

Francisco Ramos, NewVue Communities
Whether you are a community leader or work with community leaders, join us for this training! We will cover the basics of developing community leadership in an organizing and power-building context. We’ll cover organizing principles, the role of the community leader, turn-out, leader role modeling, and more. Whether you are a seasoned professional or new to the work, you’re invited to share your wisdom, stories, and questions. This training will kick of a series focused on community leadership. GOALS Create greater shared understanding of basic organizing/leadership concepts among CDC organizers and other interested folks Create peer learning opportunities across community leaders, organizers and possibly RSCs. Spark a longer ongoing process to help professionals accomplish their goals RE leadership development; identify further training topics Build direct skills for community leaders

Community Leadership 101

Francisco Ramos, NewVue Communities and Sarah Byrnes, RLA Director
Whether you are a community leader or work with community leaders, join us for this training! We will cover the basics of developing community leadership in an organizing and power-building context. We’ll cover organizing principles, the role of the community leader, turn-out, leader role modeling, and more. Whether you are a seasoned professional or new to the work, you’re invited to share your wisdom, stories, and questions. This training will kick of a series focused on community leadership. GOALS Create greater shared understanding of basic organizing/leadership concepts among CDC organizers and other interested folks. Create peer learning opportunities across community leaders, organizers and possibly RSCs. Spark a longer ongoing process to help professionals accomplish their goals RE leadership development; identify further training topics Build direct skills for community leaders.

Webinar: The Capital Project Implementation Process, Featuring DHCD 10.18.22

Stefanie Brynen, DHCD
Join this webinar with DHCD (The Department of Housing and Community Development) to learn more about implementing capital improvements at your Local Housing Authority. We discuss how residents and board members are involved in this process.

Maria Fernandes-Dominique Spotlight

Lia Downing, MKI
"Maria Fernandes-Dominique brings an array of valuable experiences from a variety of mission-driven organizations to her work with the Mel King Institute. She is a self-described community development practitioner with an impressive background, having held roles at NeighborWorks America, the Boston Bar Association, Boston Children’s Hospital, and now Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts." To read more, please see the full Spotlight.

Carol Roberts Spotlight

Lia Downing, MKI
"The fellow residents in Carol Roberts’ public housing complex are not afraid to give her a call. As the tenant board president of Caffrey Towers in Brockton, she has worked to build trust with her neighbors, and that trust comes with its own responsibilities." To read more, please see the full Spotlight.

The Grievance Process Booklet

MLRI
"Using Your Public Housing Grievance Process. A Know Your Rights Guide for Public Housing Tenants in Massachusetts."

How the Mel King Institute’s Public Housing Training Program is helping one tenant group to bridge divides amongst residents

Nadine Sanchara, MACDC
"The public housing residents in Salem have a strong tenants organization, and while they face many challenges, the Mel King Institute’s (MKI) Public Housing Training Program is preparing them to work together towards their common goals." To read more, please see the full blog.

Mel King Institute Public Housing Training Participants Form New Tenant Groups

Nadine Sanchara, MACDC
"In spring of 2020, just as COVID was ramping up, Judy O’Kulsky began knocking on her neighbors’ doors at the public housing development where she lives in Belchertown, MA. Judy was able to get her neighbors involved in a newly forming tenant group." To read more, please see the full blog.

DHCD Webinar: Funding and Supporting Capital Improvements at Your LHA 5.26.22

Stefanie Brynen
Join this webinar with DHCD (The Department of Housing and Community Development) to learn more about funding and supporting capital improvements at your Local Housing Authority. Due to successful advocacy on the part of MassNAHRO and Mass Union, an additional $150 million will be available for LHA capital improvements through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Join us to learn how residents can be involved in decisions regarding these funds, as well as an overview of the capital improvement planning process and the RCAT program (Regional Capital Assistance Teams).

Slides for DHCD Webinar : Funding and Supporting Capital Improvements at Your LHA 5.26.22

Stefanie Brynen
Join this webinar with DHCD (The Department of Housing and Community Development) to learn more about funding and supporting capital improvements at your Local Housing Authority. Due to successful advocacy on the part of MassNAHRO and Mass Union, an additional $150 million will be available for LHA capital improvements through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Join us to learn how residents can be involved in decisions regarding these funds, as well as an overview of the capital improvement planning process and the RCAT program (Regional Capital Assistance Teams).

Local Tenant Organization Success Stories Webinar, March 2022

Thomas Ruffen, Public Housing Resident
For residents of public housing, what makes for a successful Local Tenant Organization? In this webinar we talk about how to connect with residents in your development to build a powerful network that can make changes to benefit everyone. Residents are often held back by “The Big 4” -- fear, hopelessness, confusion and division. But through building trusted relationships we can overcome these barriers and improve the quality of life. What follows is an interview with Thomas Ruffen, member of the Mildred Hailey Tenants Organization in Boston, MA.

Local Tenant Organization Success Stories Webinar, March 2022

L'aura Jordan, Public Housing Resident
For residents of public housing, what makes for a successful Local Tenant Organization? In this webinar we talk about how to connect with residents in your development to build a powerful network that can make changes to benefit everyone. Residents are often held back by “The Big 4” -- fear, hopelessness, confusion and division. But through building trusted relationships we can overcome these barriers and improve the quality of life. What follows is an interview with L'aura Jordan, member of the Elm Terrace Tenants Organization in Greenfield, MA.

Local Tenant Organization Success Stories Webinar, March 2022

Sue Kirby, Public Housing Resident
For residents of public housing, what makes for a successful Local Tenant Organization? In this webinar we talk about how to connect with residents in your development to build a powerful network that can make changes to benefit everyone. Residents are often held back by “The Big 4” -- fear, hopelessness, confusion and division. But through building trusted relationships we can overcome these barriers and improve the quality of life. What follows is an interview with Sue Kirby, the president of the Morency Tenants Organization in Salem, MA.

Slides for Who's Who - DHCD, the LHA Board, and the Local Tenant Organization Webinar 3.9.22

Sarah O'Leary and Bill Halfpenny, DHCD
Powerpoint slides that correspond with webinar here: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1NoMQRuMenHaqA3scTzMHYceS6oibA3PQoA1_eKlbS58/edit?usp=sharing

Who's Who - DHCD, the LHA Board, and the Local Tenant Organization 3.9.22

Sarah O'Leary and Bill Halfpenny, DHCD
Join this webinar with DHCD and the Mel King Institute to understand the different powers of the Local Tenant Organization, the LHA Board, and DHCD. Residents will learn more about the "chain of command" for resolving individual problems, the expansive powers of their local Board, and the limits of DHCD's authority.

Mel King Institute Public Housing Training Participants Form New Tenant Groups

Resident Leadership Academy
Blog post about Judy O'Kulsky, a resident tenant leader.

Slides for Local Housing Authority Budget with DHCD Webinar 12.2.21

DHCD
Powerpoint slides that correspond with webinar here: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1k__0tlpeM5NtmMGnYW9kTBYKkLtMH4ARpniG7BlLPEs/edit?usp=sharing

Local Housing Authority Budget with DHCD Webinar 12.2.21

Chris DeVore, DHCD
Join the Mel King Institute and DHCD for a session about Housing Authority Budgets. Housing Authority Budgets spell out how the Authority plans to spend the money it collects from rents, subsidies, and other sources. All residents have a role in helping shape budgets, especially when there is a Local Tenant Organization, and Resident Board Members need to understand them in order to weigh in and sign off on them each year. This webinar is for residents and Board Members of Local Housing Authorities.

Public Housing Resident Organizing and Participation Toolkit

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
This toolkit is designed for public housing residents interested in creating or supporting a resident council.

Local Tenant Organization Success Stories Webinar, August 2021

Sue Kirby, Public Housing Resident
For residents of public housing What makes for a successful Local Tenant Organization? In this webinar we talk about how to connect with residents in your development to build a powerful network that can make changes to benefit everyone. Residents are often held back by “The Big 4” -- fear, hopelessness, confusion and division. But through building trusted relationships we can overcome these barriers and improve the quality of life. What follows is an interview with Sue Kirby, the president of the Morency Tenants Organization in Salem, MA.

Who's Who - DHCD, the LHA Board, and the Local Tenant Organization 2.12.21

Sarah O'Leary
This webinar with DHCD and the Mel King Institute is to understand the different powers of the Local Tenant Organization, the LHA Board, and DHCD. Residents will learn more about the "chain of command" for resolving individual problems, the expansive powers of their local Board, and the limits of DHCD's authority.

Slides for Capital Improvement Plans Webinar with DHCD 10.14.2021

DHCD
Powerpoint slides that correspond with webinar here: https://youtu.be/k3wXaRrkhxI

Capital Improvement Plans with DHCD Webinar 10.14.2021

Stefanie Brynen
Every Housing Authority has a Capital Improvement Plan which lays out the major improvements the authority will make to its properties in the next five years. These plans have a huge impact on residents’ quality of life, and like budgets, all residents have the right to weigh in. Resident Board Members especially need to understand the details of a Capital Improvement Plan so they can make their perspectives known to the Board.

Local Tenant Organization Success Stories Webinar, August 2021

Judy O’Kulsky, Public Housing Resident
For residents of public housing What makes for a successful Local Tenant Organization? In this webinar we talk about how to connect with residents in your development to build a powerful network that can make changes to benefit everyone. Residents are often held back by “The Big 4” -- fear, hopelessness, confusion and division. But through building trusted relationships we can overcome these barriers and improve the quality of life. What follows is an interview with Judy O'Kulsky who is on the board of the newly elected local tenant organization in Belchertown, MA and also serves on the board of the Belchertown Housing Authority.

Local Tenant Organization Success Stories Webinar, August 2021

Carol Roberts, Public Housing Resident
For residents of public housing What makes for a successful Local Tenant Organization? In this webinar we talk about how to connect with residents in your development to build a powerful network that can make changes to benefit everyone. Residents are often held back by “The Big 4” -- fear, hopelessness, confusion, and division. But through building trusted relationships we can overcome these barriers and improve the quality of life. What follows is an interview with Carol Roberts, a long time board member of the local tenants organization in Caffrey Towers in Brockton, MA and also serves as a board member of the Brockton Housing Authority.

Mass Law Reform Institute Annual Plan Webinar, Recorded June 2021

Molly Broderick. MLRI
Every Local Housing Authority (LHA) is required to prepare and post an Annual Plan. This Plan includes the LHA's budget, capital improvement plan, maintenance information, a list of policies, a list of waivers, and more. Residents have the right to weigh in, especially Local Tenant Organizations!

DHCD Annual Plan Webinar, Recorded June 2021

Paul McPartland, DHCD
Every Local Housing Authority (LHA) is required to prepare and post an Annual Plan. This Plan includes the LHA's budget, capital improvement plan, maintenance information, a list of policies, a list of waivers, and more. Residents have the right to weigh in, especially Local Tenant Organizations!

Mixed-Finance Redevelopment of State-Aided Public Housing Webinar, Recorded December 2020

Robert Muollo, DHCD
Redeveloping state public housing is a complex, multi-faceted and inclusionary process involving many stakeholders that takes vision and coordination to achieve the best outcome. By improving one’s understanding of the redevelopment process, residents can become better empowered to participate, distinguish fact from myth, and drive community priorities.

Local Housing Authority Capital Improvement Plans, Recorded May 2020

Fatima Razzaq, DHCD
Every Housing Authority has a Capital Improvement Plan which lays out the major improvements the authority will make to its properties in the next five years. These plans have a huge impact on residents’ quality of life and all residents have the right to weigh in. Resident Board Members especially need to understand the details of a Capital Improvement Plan so they can make their perspectives known to the Board.

Public Housing Rent Policies during COVID-19, Recorded May 2020

Judith Liben, Mass Law Reform Institute (MLRI)
Watch Judith Liben of Mass Law Reform Institute review Public Housing Rents during the COVID-19 Emergency.