Preventing Bullying In Schools, A Model for Housing

When a student seems headed to becoming the next school shooter, what can be done?

Prevention is possible. One of the key elements where bullying is a factor, is for those in charge to protect the target while acting to stop the bullying.

A community mobilizes to address the many factors, including bullying, that tend to lead to school shootings.
 

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Let's join with others to protect essential services

We can join forces to demand funding for essential health, dental, food, and housing services.

Federal legislation, "the big beautiful bill," targets Medicaid and MassHealth programs that we depend on. The law cuts the Federal share of our MassHealth programs and limits the taxes that states can levy on healthcare providers to cover MassHealth. The most vulnerable programs are Home and Community Based Services (HCBS); out-of-pocket costs for health care; food stamps; dental care; and more.

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Free Speech for All?

standing woman holding siggn
If we want our rights, we must stand up for them. We who live in housing are not alone in the struggle to enjoy our rights, including the right to speak our minds without fear of retaliation. The environment in which we live today is so full of anger, fear, retaliation, and revenge that to express an opinion can lead to a firestorm of efforts not only to suppress our speech, but to condemn us and even lead to sanctions and harassment.

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Our Daily Bread At Risk: Food Stamps Threatened

The food stamp program that we depend on is under threat and we must rise up to protect it.

Many of us who are tenants of public and subsidized housing depend on community support through government benefits and subsidies, including for housing and food.

We know from hard-won experience that no one is coming to help us and that we must advocate for and help ourselves.

Thus we are prepared for this challenge.

The tenant advocate will stop bullying of tenants: support H1814

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.

Are We Safe?

Smiling woman stands with aid of crutches
If we want to address bullying in schools, we must address it in our society. A child knows that if immigrants can be bullied, so can they, and there are too few adults taking action. It is past time for all of us, including our leaders, to speak out and to act.

Housing challenges for people living with multiple chemical sensitivity

We announce a survey opportunity for people with multiple chemical sensitivity and the housing challenges they face. This survey and the research that will be based on it can help lead to safer housing.

Please note that the survey ended on August 8, 2025.

Creating Community in Northampton

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.

Frustration, Retaliation & Betrayal

Woman with flowers behind her, Rachel Branch
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?