Let’s try the “AND” method: we will help our neighbors; AND we will create joyful community moments; AND we will seek our rights where we live; AND we will tell our stories and those of our neighbors; AND we will continue to seek legislation.

My friend Jada is a force of nature. Originally from Texas and now a long-time resident of Northampton, Massachusetts, she brings a fierce commitment to justice, community, and healing—even in the face of personal and institutional adversity. Jada does all this despite her frustrations with the management and the other members of the housing authority board. She often feels diminished and disrespected, unable to make herself heard, and denied her rights and justice. Nevertheless, she lives a creative and productive life, helping to build and maintain a supportive, caring community.

Rachel I. Branch has a long history as senior staff for leaders of organizations in health and public service: she is the person who makes things happen, practical, energetic, and highly talented. How then, considering her demonstrated skills and talents, can we understand the source of her frustration in seeking her rights as a tenant? Has Rachel brought this on herself, or is the system to blame?

On behalf of the Stop Bullying Coalition, I am pleased to urge passage of H1814, an Act of Senator Joan Lovely and Representative Sally Kerans to create the office of the tenant advocate in the Office of the Attorney General. A major source of bullying is the failure of the housing provider to meet their obligation to assure the right of peaceful enjoyment and protection from bullying, mobbing, and harassment. Housing providers are not subject to effective oversight and accountability for this duty. This bill fills the gap in protecting the rights of tenants because it will provide oversight over, and accountability for, providers of subsidized and public housing and thus prevent bullying, mobbing (bullying by a group), and harassment.

Testimony on S1007, An Act to prevent and respond to bullying of elderly and disabled residents prepared for the Joint Committee on Housing On behalf of the Stop Bullying Coalition, I am pleased to urge passage of S1007 of Senator Lovely and H1525 of Representative Honan because it can enable housing providers to create a safer, more supportive community setting and thus help to reduce bullying in housing

Why is this creating the office of the tenant advocate in the Office of the Attorney General, so important? The failure of housing providers to be diligent in their fiduciary duty to assure "peaceful enjoyment" for tenants points to a systemic problem in public and subsidized housing. Senator Joan B. Lovely and Representative Sally Kerans propose House 1814 to create the office of the tenant advocate in the Office of the Attorney General. H1814 is needed to address the lack of oversight and protect tenants from harassment. This bill will assure tenants of their rights by providing accountability for landlords. Today, across the Commonwealth, a significant minority of landlords of subsidized and public housing fail in their responsibility to provide peaceful enjoyment and prevent hostile environment harassment, thus creating pain and suffering for tenants who can find no relief or remedy. The fundamental cause is the lack of accountability for errant landlords. Most landlords, operating under the same constraints, choose to provide a more hospitable environment. Eliminating hostile environment harassment is essential for building constructive collaboration among tenants and landlords. The bill has a strong foundation in law, research, and the urgent need is confirmed by the experience and testimony of tenants.

The failure of the Northampton Housing Authority board of commissioners to be diligent in their fiduciary duty points to a systemic problem in public and subsidized housing: the lack of oversight and accountability. Passage into law of House 1814 to create the office of the tenant advocate in the Office of the Attorney General will remedy that failure.

EDITORIAL We are rich in experience, though poor in wealth. We are the poor, the elderly, the disabled, the single parents, and the veterans, people of color and of many religions, we are all persons who live in public and subsidized housing. There we have learned on a daily basis how to survive and overcome bullying, mobbing, and harassment. When a ruler seeks to trample our rights and deprive us of food, health, and free speech, we have the ability to protect ourselves; it is our right.

This is a guide to legislative advocacy. You can write, send email, or phone. Use your own words and your own story and borrow from the suggestions here.

Find my legislator

Go to Find My Legislator by entering your street address, city/town, and ZIP code. To

You will see your representative and your senator. Click on their name links and you will see their email address and phone number.

Advocacy is the art of creating new possibility

 

Transforming housing into safe, peaceful, respectful, supportive, healthy, and joyful communities for the poor, the elderly, and the disabled.—About