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.

Project Manager Core Skills Toolkit

Mel King Institute
The Tracker tool was designed to support the growth and development of non-profit real estate project managers. The tool can be adapted to suit needs of various project managers, as job titles and the division of work will differ for each organization. It can be used with a supervisor/supervisee relationship or as an individual project manager self-assessment.

Organizing and Engagement Core Skills Toolkit

Mel King Institute, Rising Sun Consulting
This toolkit was designed to support the professional growth of community organizers and community engagement staff. The toolkit was developed by and for organizers! Front line organizers helped identify the 6 competency areas and piloted the tools, offering feedback on content and format.

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.

Race Counts

Build Healthy Places Network
RACE COUNTS measures the overall performance, amount of racial disparity, and impact by population size of every county in California.

Know Your Rights: Source of Income Discrimination FAQ

Attorney General, Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Massachusetts residents who rely on public assistance, including rental assistance programs, often face unique challenges in securing housing, which is a key pathway to economic security. Because we recognize the importance of access to housing, we have prepared this guide to help educate residents and landlords on their rights and obligations in this area.

State and Local Antidiscrimination Laws Could Help Renters Access Emergency Rental Assistance and Keep Their Homes

Urban Institute
Despite the needs of both renters and landlords, some landlords are not accepting rent relief. We don’t have much data on how many landlords are refusing rental relief or their motivations for doing so, but we know that the outcomes can be dire for tenants, especially low-income renters and renters of color, who often face housing discrimination when using federal assistance.

COVID Eviction Legal Help Video - Ed's Story

COVID Eviction Legal Help Project (CELHP)
Last October, the COVID Eviction Legal Help Project (CELHP) was created through the Governor’s Eviction Diversion Initiative. Since its inception, CELHP has provided legal help in over 3,650 eviction cases.

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.

Creativity and Community Action

David M. Greenberg, LISC
In a new essay and workbook from David M. Greenberg, LISC's vice president for Knowledge Management and Strategy, practitioners are posed with two parallel questions: how can community development and activism enhance artistic and cultural work? And how can cultural practice community development and activism? Using paintings, poetry, and the work of artist-activists in Logan Square, Chicago, as “cases,” the resource helps enhance the reach, ambition, and impact of collaborations between artists and community organizations.

Facing an Eviction Informational Videos

COVID Eviction Legal Help Project
Learn what to do if you are facing an eviction in Massachusetts.

Climate Resilient Land Use Strategies

Metropolitan Area Planning Council
Land use regulations can be a powerful tool to provide climate resilience. From floodplain and wetlands restrictions, to tree protection and water conservation, to design standards and zoning, communities are using their regulatory authority to address the growing impacts of rainstorms, sea level rise, heat, and drought.

YW Boston’s 2021 Small Biz Map

YW Boston
Support businesses run by women and people of color in Greater Boston

Existing Buildings and Climate Change Resources

Boston Society for Architecture
We cannot meet our future goals without utilizing our greatest built and cultural assets: existing buildings. Below are some resources to support the industry as we forge ahead.

COVID-19 Reopening Guide for Small Businesses

Chamber of Commerce
This guide will cover all that business owners need to know about reopening and navigating current government requirements.

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!