I found myself still coming to grips with the reality that she was gone, along with a big part of myself.

The Revolution Has Begun

Together we are making a revolution, fighting for our rights by using the traditional systems for legislation and the administration of housing programs.

The traditional system for change is democracy: grass roots organizing; building a coalition of tenants, managers and landlords; and partnering with legislators.

We are the revolution. We will assure the rights of tenants who are elderly or disabled by making sure they have safety and justice. We partner with legislators and everyone who is willing to help.

The Mayor of Salem, Massachusetts is a member of the Board of the Salem Housing Authority. Of the many factors that influence the social life in a public housing community, the most significant are the leadership of the local housing authority and the management. And these are influenced by the culture of the municipality and the elected leadership. We are having a chance to see through the perspective of Mayor Driscoll how a change in the leadership and direction of the housing authority in Salem may influence the life of tenants.

There is a dynamic in some public and subsidized housing communities for the elderly and disabled that reminds of the witchcraft hysteria in 1692-1693 and of current social and political polarization in our world. In a typical housing community composed of a diverse group of individuals, if there is to be peace and fairness for all, everyone needs to agree to accept and live within a code of conduct that does not require total conformity.

Today, victims of bullying have no hope because we have no protection, no remedy, and no justice. Tomorrow, you, our legislators can give us hope and restore our rights. Senator Lovely’s bill, S985—the ombuds bill—will ensure the 92,000 elderly and persons with disability who live in public and subsidized housing of their right to peaceful enjoyment.

We strongly support the creation of a joint task force on the safety and welfare of elderly and disabled persons residing in public housing as proposed in S791 by Senator Diana DiZoglio. This task force will complement the findings of the Commission on Bullying and can lead to legislative and administrative changes that can complement the goals of the bills on bullying.

At Beacon Hill, on April 30, 2019, the Joint Commitee on Housing meets to consider comprehensive groundbreaking legislation to protect elderly persons and people with disability in subsidized and public housing from bullying. Complementary bills filed by Senator Lovely and Representative Honan will create an ombuds office to protect tenants and assure their rights by holding landlords to account, and improve the administration of housing programs.

Redevelopment of failing public housing must engage tenants, and their rights need to be protected by oversight and accountability.

How to be an effective advocate: Susan Bonner is the model advocate, she is the friend and partner of the tenants she represents, a friend and partner of leaders of other advocacy organizations, and the friend and partner of legislators. See Susan in action at the State House.

Bullying can become a plague in multifamily developments, but some landlords, developers, and managers lead in the effort to create safe and inclusive community.