The AND Method

We who live in public or subsidized housing may feel that the disrespect we experience is a burden we must carry. The social, cultural, and economic forces that support our housing are so large and so ingrained in the world around us that we feel overwhelmed.

We know that when we complain, we face retaliation. We have tried to make a difference by serving as commissioners in public housing, and experienced more humiliation and frustration. We have trekked to the state house to testify for legislation that might help us to have our rights. Yes, we were able to help create the 2017 Commission on Bullying, one of us served on the commission, and at the end we were told, “We don’t want you to advocate for tenants.” Most of us don’t see the possibility of a good result from more legislative advocacy, so we don’t try to get involved, we don’t testify, we don’t complain.

The Stop Bullying Coalition has been trying to get a legislative remedy for over a decade. Should we just forget about that effort and accept the situation we are in? Or should we continue to seek legislation and also try some other ways to improve our lives?

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.

Let us celebrate the dedication to tenant rights and to creating moments of communal joy as we see in the reports by two determined tenants, Rachel I. Branch and Jo Ella Tarbutton-Springfield.

AND let's shout out to Ross Donald of Needham, using his reporting voice and his publication, The Linden Letter, to call out the Needham Housing Authority and other agencies for a cruel eviction.

NEEDHAM, MA -  The Needham Housing Authority (NHA) has devised a new innovative solution to the problem of the need for more affordable housing.  This is so easy, it is brilliant.—The Linden Letter

Let us dare to demand our rights, and not just hope.

Legislation that can address a root cause of our problems—the lack of oversight and accountability for housing providers— is going to be considered by the legislature in coming days, likely during the last week of July. Now is the time for you to prepare your testimony. Let’s have at least 10 people who testify for  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. 

The basics of testimony: Tell your story and how the legislation H1814 will help improve life for tenants. Write it out, figure about 300 words for a 3-minute testimony. It pays to rehearse and to time yourself. My draft testimony is online, I argue for oversight and accountability over landlords and housing authorities.

Unsure how to do this? Just send me your ideas or draft to testimony@stopbullyingcoalition.org and I can suggest edits to clarify and strengthen your message.

AND please contact your state senator and representative and urge them to support H1814. Their names and contact information can be found easily at "Find My Legislator."