We, the undersigned, demand that the Springfield Housing Authority (SHA) be held accountable for its failure to address tenant safety, provide reasonable accommodations for disabilities, and ensure fair housing practices. SHA’s ongoing neglect has caused significant harm to tenants, particularly those with invisible disabilities, and violates state and federal laws.

HUD issues ‘troubled’ rating to Springfield Housing Authority​

‘Shocking and troubling’: Mayor speaks out after Springfield Housing Authority fails HUD audit​

Springfield Housing Authority designated troubled after HUD audit.​

“Housing is going to be very-very important,” Sarno said.

HUD Declares Springfield Housing Authority “Troubled” – Tenants Demand Action

On July 25, 2024, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) declared the Springfield Housing Authority (SHA) a “troubled” agency after an audit scored SHA 53 out of 100 for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2023. SHA received a 0/25 in financial management for failing to submit audited statements on time.

Mayor Sarno himself called the findings “shocking and troubling.”

Tenants have been saying this for years: unsafe conditions, ADA violations, retaliation, and discrimination are not isolated problems — they are systemic. HUD’s designation proves it.

 
The Record of Tenant Harm and State Neglect

1. Unsafe Homes Ignored – Bedbug infestations, unsafe units, and hazardous conditions left unaddressed despite repeated requests.
2. Disability Discrimination – Denial of reasonable accommodations in violation of the ADA, Section 504, and state law.
3. Retaliation Against Tenants – Harassment and constructive eviction of those who organized or spoke out.
4. Privacy Violations – Unauthorized and intrusive entries into tenant homes.
5. Due Process Denied – Complaints routinely dismissed, with discrimination and serious grievances ignored.
6. Racial Harassment Tolerated – Failure to act even after violent incidents, including an assault with a golf club against a minority tenant.

SHA’s False “Software” Excuse

SHA has attempted to explain away HUD’s “troubled” designation as a mere “software issue,” but this excuse is both false and insulting. Software cannot retaliate against tenants, deny ADA accommodations, tolerate racial harassment and violence, or invade homes without notice or due process. These are not technical glitches; they are deliberate leadership failures and systemic civil rights violations that demand accountability.

State Refusal
After years of letters and testimony, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has refused responsibility.

Despite oversight duties under Chapter 121B, ADA, Section 504, and the Massachusetts Civil Rights Act, Governor Maura Healey, Attorney General Andrea Campbell, and the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) have failed to act, passing the burden back to HUD and tenants themselves.

This makes Massachusetts complicit in SHA’s failures.

State-Level Non-Compliance
The pattern goes even deeper: SHA has also been found non-compliant by the Massachusetts Supervisor of Records for refusing to answer lawful public records requests. In doing so, SHA has suppressed evidence of retaliation, discrimination, and unsafe housing, obstructed public oversight, and violated transparency laws designed to protect both tenants and taxpayers. This is not only a bureaucratic delay, but it is a calculated effort to hide misconduct and silence accountability.

What Must Happen Now

Federal Actions 

1. Federal Receivership – Place SHA under direct HUD control until safety, compliance, and accountability are restored.
2. Civil Rights Enforcement – HUD must hold SHA leadership accountable for ADA, Section 504, Fair Housing Act, and privacy violations.
3. Restitution for Tenants – Federal enforcement of compensation for medical, financial, and emotional harm caused by SHA’s misconduct.

State Actions (Governor Healey, AG Campbell, EOHLC, Supervisor of Records)

1. Public Hearings – The Governor and Legislature must explain why Massachusetts ignored tenant warnings.
2. Attorney General Enforcement – Investigate retaliation, discrimination, and civil rights violations. 
3. EOHLC Oversight – Condition state funding on compliance and place monitors over SHA until reforms are complete.
4. Mandatory Reform – Require retraining, anti-discrimination enforcement, and consequences for repeat violators.
5. Public Records Enforcement – Enforce Massachusetts Public Records Law against SHA for repeated non-compliance.

Timeline of SHA Failure
2020–2023 – Tenants file complaints of unsafe conditions, retaliation, and ADA discrimination.

July 25, 2024 – HUD designates SHA “troubled,” after scoring 53/100 in audit.

July 2024 – SHA blames “software issues” for its failures.

2023–2025 – Letters sent to Massachusetts officials — state refuses responsibility.

2025 – Supervisor of Records finds SHA non-compliant with Massachusetts Public Records Law.

Present – Tenants demand federal receivership, state enforcement, and restitution for years of harm.
 
Why This Matters
This is more than a Springfield problem. It shows what happens when local negligence meets state indifference.

HUD’s “troubled” designation confirms tenants were right. The Supervisor of Records’ finding proves that SHA is also defying Massachusetts law. The state’s refusal to act reveals a total breakdown of accountability.

Your signature demands accountability from HUD in Washington, as well as from Governor Healey, Attorney General Campbell, EOHLC, and the Supervisor of Records in Boston.

No tenant should be left defenseless because leaders refuse to do their jobs.

Sign this petition today. Share it widely. Together, we can force change

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