Homelessness and Affordable Housing Needs in MA: What We Can DO About It

We will provide an overview of homelessness and affordable housing needs in Western Massachusetts and statewide, examining the “who, what, why, how” of our current situation and the policy responses that are available to us to address it. We will discuss the regional and statewide organizing that is ongoing to win the passage and enactment of these policies and what it means to “get involved” and make an impact. Please join us!

Trainers:

Rose Webster-Smith joined the organization, Springfield No One Leaves, in October of 2011 when Freddie Mac foreclosed on her family’s home. From there, she joined the leadership committee and the steering committee of the organization. Rose helped to organize the Fannie/Freddie fighters within the organization to plan actions in Springfield MA, New York City, Virginia, Maryland, and Washington D.C. In 2015, Rose came on staff as a part-time community organizer and in 2016 became the lead organizer transitioning the organization into a fully member-led entity. After a six-year effort, Rose was successful in her fight against Freddie Mac, winning her home back in March 2017. Rose is currently the Executive Director of the organization.

Pamela Schwartz has served as the Director of the Western Massachusetts Network to End Homelessness since 2009. The Network coordinates over 150 partners and state and local leaders across the four western counties to prevent and end homelessness with a Housing First approach that centers racial equity. Pamela began her career as a legal services lawyer working on behalf of low-income tenants and then moved into policy work with the Tax Equity Alliance of Massachusetts (now MA Budget and Policy Center), MA Department of Public Health, and the National Priorities Project. She also has worked as an organizer on a number of ballot and political campaigns.