BOSTON – Senator Michael O. Moore (D-Millbury) submitted written testimony to the chairs of the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Housing in support of legislation that would establish procedures for tenant-appointed members of local housing authority boards.
In 2014, the Legislature passed a reform package that was signed into law to increase oversight of public housing authorities. Among its provisions, the bill directed the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) to promulgate regulations establishing election procedures for tenants to elect a tenant member of the local housing authority board.
Today, more than four years after the legislation was signed into law, there have been no regulations finalized by DHCD. Numerous local residents have expressed concerns about significant delays with an approved process for having tenant representation on the housing boards.
“These local boards are responsible for making important decisions that impact the local housing community and this legislation will help ensure that tenants have a voice in that process,” said Senator Moore. “The absence of a finalized regulatory framework has led to significant frustration among housing authorities that I represent in the Heart of the Commonwealth and this bill will help address the current lack of tenant representation.”
The bill, H.4981, recently received a public hearing at the State House by members the Joint Committee on Housing. Please click below to continue tracking the legislation and to view the testimony submitted by Senator Moore.