Mass Alliance of HUD Tenants
42 Seaverns Ave
Boston, MA 02130
tel: 617-267-2949
fax: 617-522-4857
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The Mass Alliance of HUD Tenants (MAHT) is the only resident-run, membership coalition providing organizing and technical assistance to HUD tenants in Eastern and Central Massachusetts. Our mission is to preserve and improve at-risk HUD buildings as permanently affordable housing with a maximum of resident participation, ownership, and control.
Join Us at MAHT's
Conference Report Back and Mid-Summer Cook-out!
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Join MAHT Tenants, Supporters and Friends for an evening of music, delicious food and an update about the conference results.
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Come to the Annual Conference Report Back and Cook-out
Thursday, July 29, 2010
5:30 PM - 8:30 PM
In MAHT's Backyard:
42 Seaverns Avenue
Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
All are Invited for Mid-Summer Fun, Camaraderie, Food from around the Globe and DJ Music.
Hear a report back from the Massachusetts delegation to the annual Save Our Homes conference in DC, learn about their experiences, the action at K Street owner-lobbyist building and some victories won.
RSVP: 617.267.2949 x10
$5.00 Suggested Donation |
Your gift will DOUBLE automatically!
We are proud to announce a matching grant from the
Unitarian-Universalist Fund for
a Just Society. |
The Massachusetts Delegation to the 2010 Save Our Homes Conference is back from DC. 25 galvanized MAHT tenant leaders joined with HUD tenants from around the country and worked at the fore of the conference, leading workshops, delegation lobbying efforts and public rallies.
Your donation today will continue to support the MAHT delegation as it seeks an amendment to ensure that Georgetowne Homes and other "expiring mortgage" buildings remain permanently affordable.
Remember, thanks to the UU Fund for a Just Society, your gift today will automatically double! |
May 10, 2010
Victory for Blake Estates
in Hyde Park!
Beacon Properties has agreed to a 20-year contract keeping 263 homes at Blake Estates Affordable! Since last year, the Blake Estates Tenant Association (BETA) demonstrated a courage and intrepidness that finally brought the Mayor and Howard Cohen's Beacon Properties to the bargaining table.
Blake Estates Tenant Association now moves forward to work on safety and poor conditions in the building - you rock, BETA.
Congratulations!!! |
Photo by Kay Mathew
Cleary Square Rally October 31, 2009 for Blake Estates & Georgetowne Homes
whose owner is Howard Cohen and Beacon Properties.
DON'T FORGET THE MAHT ANNUAL MEETING!
Saturday June 12, 2010 at 9:30 AM - 11:45 AM at MAHT Office
Agenda includes: Recognition of Stalwart Tenant Associations; Board Election and Planning for the Save Our Homes Conference.
Followed by Solidarity Rally at Georgetowne Homes 12:30 PM (Management Office at 400 Georgetowne Drive)
Stand with Georgetowne Tenants United/Celebrate their Victories! (See below) Bus leaves the Annual Meeting at 12:00 Noon & Returns at 2:30 PM.Breakfast snacks and Lunch with be Served. Call for info: 617.267.2949 |
March 31, 2010
Victory for Georgetowne Tenants United!
Good News!
After over a year of struggle including three rallies, countless meetings, and negotiating sessions with the Mayor and owner Howard Cohen, Georgetowne Tenants United has won! Beacon Properties has signed a five-year Section 8 extension for Georgetowne I, when they had initially declined to commit to long term Section 8 renewal. This gives Georgetowne Tenants United and Mass Alliance of HUD Tenants breathing room to work out a permanent solution to keeping all of Georgetowne affordable for current and future lower income tenants.
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Photo by Kay Mathew
Cleary Square Rally October 31, 2009
Blake Estates and Georgetowne Tenants Rally to Save Our Homes
Prior to this news, and in response to tenant demands, Beacon had already agreed to
a rent freeze at Georgetowne
for 286 non-Section 8 tenants
for 2010.
A new state law will extend
this time by two years, giving
us time to work for passage
of federal legislation that will
keep Georgetowne affordable
for the long term. |
Next Project for GTU: Conditions and Repairs! GTU and Beacon are jointly developing a survey to learn what tenants need for improvements to their homes to get ready for a development-wide renovation project. GTU and MAHT will take the survey door to door in the near future.The City of Boston has pledged to provide an independent architect to work directly with GTU on renovation issues, which will be a huge help to the tenants. |
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Bradford Tenants Celebrate Their Victory: No One Moves! |
“No One Moves” Lawrence Tenants Stop Displacement
(Lawrence) On September 9th tenant leaders from Bradford Apartments in Lawrence celebrated their victory after receiving a letter from New York-based Omni Corporation in response to tenant demands. Omni’s letterclarified that over-income tenants are not required to move as claimed by the management company, which was forcing over-income tenants to move out of the property by November 1, 2009.
This is the latest victory in MAHT’s four-year struggle to Save Our Homes at Bradford and is the first instance where affordable housing has been RESTORED to a building that had past the end of its 40-year mortgage. |
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MAHT in the News! Go to these Links!
* The Winter 2010 Issue of the national Shelter Force magazine highlights the expiring mortgage crisis and successful organizing by the Mass Alliance of HUD Tenants in response. Shelterforce is the nation’s oldest continually published housing and community development magazine. For more than three decades, Shelterforce has been a primary forum for organizers, activists, and advocates in the affordable-housing and neighborhood revitalization movements. Shelterforce is published by the National Housing Institute, an independent nonprofit organization that examines the issues causing the crisis in housing and community in America.
View the article here or on MAHT's Facebook Page.
MAHT and Georgetowne Tenants United On Boston Television
* Thanks to Chris Lovett, Boston Neighborhood News covered Georgetowne Tenants United's latest rally and meeting held on February 22, 2010. Go to this URL to watch "Sigh of Relief for Affordable Housing": http://www.vimeo.com/9655877
And in the September 2009 publication of Global Tenant - The International Union of Tenants' Quarterly Magazine:
http://www.iut.nu/Global%20Tenant/2009/GT_sept_2009.pdf
Join the MAHT Delegation to the Save Our Homes Conference 2010!
Sunday June 20 through Tuesday June 22, 2010 at the Washington Plaza Hotel. Guests include Carol Galante, HUD's Assistant Secretary for multi-family housing. Go to http://www.saveourhomes.org/2010conference.php for all the information you need!
Tenants Win Repairs & Section 8 Renewal at Mattapan Apartments
(Mattapan) As a result of persistent tenant organizing, Jonathan Realty, the owner of 273 apartments in 12 buildings in Dorchester, Mattapan, Hyde Park and Roxbury, will exten the expiring Section 8 contract for another five years, preserving affordability for low-income families. In addition, MAHT tenants have won major repairs and a changed attitude from management. But as Carolyn, co-chair of Bragdon/Ernst Street tenant group says, "they still have to fix many more apartments, many more." Tenant solidarity was key to these victories. Now tenants are speaking out. "The tenants know that they have to speak up so they can be heard. We are tired of poor living conditions. We want safe and decent housing," says Danny, "and we are going to keep on going until we get it!"
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