La Asociación de Inquilinos de Chelsea

Mission

To represent Chelsea low-income tenants in public housing, private subsidized housing and non-subsidized market rate housing in dealings with the Chelsea Housing Authority, other public entities and private landlords; and to mobilize tenants to protect, improve and expand public housing and private affordable housing in our city.

Overview

The CTA combines the former Public Housing Organizing Committee with the Carter Heights Tenants Council to form a strong, citywide organization of tenants. About 8000 Chelsea residents live in public housing or private subsidized housing. Those are the main constituents for the CTA’s organizing and advocacy. Some 200 of those tenants participate in the CTA’s work each year. In recent years their accomplishments include many improvements in maintenance, changes in Chelsea Housing Authority policies to benefit tenants, legal settlements for tenants, and, in general, providing a strong voice for Chelsea tenants. Many first time leaders of the CTA have gone on to other citywide leadership roles. This year the organizing priorities are fair rent calculation for tenants, flexible rent payment deadlines for tenants on fixed incomes and a variety of health and safety issues. In 2005 the Boston Women’s Fund honored the CTA for its leadership and many accomplishments.