MassLive: Attorneys accuse HUD of ‘lackadaisical approach’ to federal judge’s order
Attorneys representing an organization that works to combat housing discrimination in Western and Central Massachusetts assailed the federal government in a filing Monday, accusing it of disregarding a judge’s recent orders about a funding program critical to the group’s budget.
Sep 23, 2026
[Worcester Telegram and Gazette]
The Worcester resident, a veteran who served in Kuwait during the 1991 Gulf War, was happily munching on a slice of pizza after having his legal issues addressed by a volunteer attorney at the monthly community day hosted by the Worcester Community Action Council.
“I needed some legal advice,” said Shawn Garvey after meeting with the attorney. “Hannah [Ziomek] helped me a lot. I was evicted and I didn’t know why.”
Help with eviction and housing issues was a key focus of the event, held between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Monday, Sept. 14, in the lobby at 18 Chestnut St.
Sep 17, 2026
Boston Globe: The rental market is brutal — discrimination renders it impossible
A journalist who covers the industry finds it as difficult as advertised” (Page A1, Aug. 30): Andrew Brinker’s article showed the trials of the Globe’s housing reporter navigating a turbulent, expensive, and frustrating housing market — challenges that any renter will recognize. My organization, the Massachusetts Fair Housing Center, steps in for renters who face these same challenges plus the added barrier of housing discrimination.
Fair housing agencies such as MFHC help residents navigate and respond to discrimination, whether they are denied a unit for seeking to use a Section 8 voucher or they have a young child and confront a landlord who refuses to delead. The annual Sept. 1 housing scramble is daunting for every renter, but when the housing squeeze is worsened by a discriminatory action, finding and keeping a stable unit can become unachievable.
That’s where fair housing agencies play a critical role as community-based, private enforcers. We’ve been acting in this role for decades in Massachusetts but have come under greater threat than ever during the current Trump administration as federal grant changes seek to force us to reduce services or close our doors. Fair housing protections aren’t just a mechanism for housing access and stability — they are civil rights laws.
Vineeth Hemavathi
Executive director
Massachusetts Fair Housing Center
Holyoke
Sep 08, 2026
New York Times: Federal Judge Blocks HUD Funding Changes
The department’s attempted overhaul of its grant program would “cut out more fair housing organizations than they include,” according to the ruling.
Aug 31, 2026
[MassLive] Central, WMass housing group scores early victory in HUD suit, but faces uncertain future
A judge gave an early win to an agency tasked with rooting out housing discrimination in Central and Western Massachusetts, ordering the federal government to abandon, at least for now, its changes to the program that has funded the group.
Aug 28, 2026
NFHA: Fair Housing Groups Nationwide Will Stay Open After Federal Court Ruling
Judge vacates HUD’s funding overhaul that would have reduced fair housing services and closed nonprofits’ doors
Aug 27, 2026
WGBH: These Mass. nonprofits fight housing discrimination. New federal rules threaten their future.
When the door to 79-year-old Linda Fortune’s new apartment in Sunderland got too heavy for her and nearly knocked her over every time it closed, she said her landlord ignored her.
She’d run into that kind of apathy before. In her last apartment, she’d tried and failed to get her former landlord to remove mold, and never ended up reaching overburdened legal aid lawyers.
Now, she knew better: She and others who lived in the seniors’ residence needed targeted help with accessibility.
Aug 12, 2026
NYT: Fair Housing Groups Sue HUD Over Funding Changes
A shift in grant requirements would curtail fair housing investigations, according to a new lawsuit.
Jul 23, 2026
Community-Based Groups Ask Court to Halt HUD Funding Directive that Threatens to Close or Gut More than 100 Local, Nonprofit Fair Housing Organizations Nationwide
Community-Based Groups Ask Court to Halt HUD Funding Directive that Threatens to Close or Gut More than 100 Local, Nonprofit Fair Housing Organizations Nationwide
Latest Attacks Threatens Housing Protections for Veterans, Families with Children, Seniors, People with Disabilities, and more
Jul 23, 2026
Press Release: Fair Housing Agencies Thank Healey-Driscoll Administration, Legislative Leaders for Fair Housing Fund Awards
Holyoke, MA — The Massachusetts Fair Housing Center, SouthCoast Fair Housing, the Center
for Housing Justice & Policy, and Community Legal Aid, the Commonwealth’s four fair housing
agencies, applaud the Healey-Driscoll Administration, the Executive Office of Housing and
Livable Communities (EOHLC), and legislative leaders for the issuance of the first awards from
the Fair Housing Trust Fund, from which each organization received an approximate $200,000
allocation. Established through the 2024 Affordable Homes Act, the Fund was first seeded
through a supplemental budget in 2025, supported by allocations in both the House and Senate.
Jun 05, 2026
MassLive: State housing office awards $1M grant to statewide fair housing centers
HOLYOKE — All Massachusetts residents deserve fair, dignified housing, newly appointed state housing Secretary Juana Matias told hundreds of people at the Holyoke Community College performing arts center Thursday.
May 29, 2026
WWLP: Fair Housing Conference in Holyoke addresses housing barriers
HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) – The 20th Annual Fair Housing and Civil Rights Conference has returned to western Massachusetts for a two-day event at Holyoke Community College.
Organized by the Massachusetts Fair Housing Center, the conference is focused on addressing the barriers residents face when applying for housing.
May 28, 2026
2025 Annual Report
We are proud to release our 2025 Annual Report! Visit the link in our bio to read through our Report.
In this report, we share stories from our clients and staff, statistics on our advocacy, and highlights of MHFC’s work in the community this past year. We are grateful to our partners, team, and fair housing community for their support in this challenging landscape. We look forward to continuing to serve Central and Western Massachusetts to ensure everyone has access to housing of their choice.
May 04, 2026
The Reminder: Mass Fair Housing welcomes new head, keeps fighting discrimination
Apr 30, 2026
MassLive: Massachusetts Fair Housing Center tackles discrimination under new leader
Apr 30, 2026
2024 Annual Report
MFHC los invita a leer y reflexionar sobre el impacto que hemos tenido en 2024 en el centro y oeste de Massachusetts. Reconocemos que no podemos realizar el trabajo sin su apoyo. Agradecemos su apoyo y esperamos continuar la lucha por una vivienda justa y accesible para todos.
May 01, 2025