It is deeply disappointing that I have yet to receive any response from State Senator Adam Gomez. My calls have gone unanswered, despite my ongoing efforts to address systemic housing injustices in Springfield. Over the years, I had hoped to meet with the Senator, but he has always felt distant.

As someone who has faced tenant harassment, discrimination, and housing authority negligence, I have repeatedly sought support from local leadership. When Senator Gomez was a city councilor, I remember hearing him speak passionately about these issues, claiming that such injustices did not occur in his town. Yet, my experiences and those of many others tell a different story.

The Civil Rights Committee of City Hall did reach out, and Chair Tracy Whitfield has stated she will look into this matter. However, other committee members have remained silent. Meanwhile, the tenant who assaulted another tenant still resides in the housing complex, facing no consequences.

A Troubling Pattern of Favoritism & Neglect
This situation reflects an ongoing failure in leadership:

• The majority of tenants and staff at the housing complex are Puerto Rican.
• A Puerto Rican tenant assaulted a non-Puerto Rican tenant he had never met and was shown favoritism, continuing to live there despite clear violations.
• The Springfield Housing Authority has ignored these concerns, reinforcing a system that protects certain individuals while neglecting others.
• Residents continue to suffer from unaddressed pest infestations, and the Housing Authority is willing to retaliate against anyone who speaks up, leaving the most vulnerable, including the elderly and disabled, feeling hopeless.
• Despite numerous complaints and requests for action, the Springfield Housing Authority has failed to take the necessary steps to resolve these issues. This ongoing neglect is endangering tenants’ health and safety, further proving the authority's inability or unwillingness to meet even the community's most basic needs.

NEXT STEPS:

Taking This to City Hall & the Mayor
Since our concerns have been ignored, we will continue to escalate this issue directly to the Chair of the City Council and the Mayor of Springfield. The time for silence is over.

Mayor Domenic Sarno has weighed in on SHA's troubled rating issue, stating:

“This news is both shocking and troubling. I am deeply concerned and have communicated to the SHA Executive Director and Board of Commissioners that on behalf of the tenants and our residents, the City of Springfield needs answers. We must protect the integrity and the ability of the SHA to provide adequate housing for our most vulnerable and needy citizens. I will accept nothing less.”

Now is the time to act. We need your support. Share this petition, spread the word, and stand with us in calling for accountability and fairness in Springfield’s housing system.

Tag your city leaders. Demand action. Make your voice heard.

#HousingJustice #Accountability #SpringfieldMA #FairHousing #EndDiscrimination