Brookline, MA – June 10, 2025
On Saturday, June 7, about 70 tenant leaders, attorneys, housing advocates, and community organizers from across Massachusetts gathered for a powerful day of learning, strategy, and solidarity at a statewide Tenants Union Conference, co-sponsored by the Brookline Community Development Corporation, the Somerville Community Organizing & Advocacy Program and a group of robust volunteers.
Held in a spirit of collaboration and grassroots empowerment, the conference brought together about fifteen tenant union organizations representing renters from cities and towns across the Commonwealth. Attendees shared tools and tactics for building stronger tenant associations—also known as tenants unions—and discussed strategies for combating rising rents, displacement, and landlord neglect.
“In the face of a growing housing crisis, tenants are coming together to protect their homes, their families, and their communities,” said Deborah Brown, board president from the Brookline CDC. “This conference is about uniting our voices and turning shared struggle into shared power” said Brookline CDC volunteer Steve Meacham.
In Massachusetts, a tenants union serves as a critical tool for renter empowerment, giving residents a collective voice to address housing conditions, demand repairs, and challenge unjust practices like eviction or harassment. By organizing, tenants can negotiate with landlords more effectively and advocate for policy changes at the local and state level.
Workshops throughout the day covered topics including tenants’ rights under Massachusetts law, how to form a union in your building, effective negotiation tactics, and legal tools available to organized tenant groups. The event also featured speakers from long-standing tenants associations who shared success stories and lessons learned from organizing in their own communities.
The energy in the room was affirming and empowering. “We’re not alone,” said one participant. “This conference reminded us that people across the state are fighting the same fight—and that together, we’re stronger” said Zafiro Patino, a volunteer.
The Tenants Union Conference represents a growing movement in Massachusetts to support renters through collective action and community-driven solutions. Organizers hope to make the event an annual gathering, fostering ongoing collaboration and strengthening the statewide network of tenant-led organizations.
