An Act providing for tenant representation on the Great Barrington Housing Authority board

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Leigh Davis

Allows a single Sheffield resident to serve as a tenant representative on the Great Barrington Housing Authority board, either appointed or elected.

Referred to the committee on House Rules

Summary of Bill HD 6180 (194th Massachusetts General Court)

Purpose and intent

The bill proposes to provide for tenant representation on the board of the Great Barrington Housing Authority (GBHA). Specifically, it allows a resident of the town of Sheffield to serve as a member of the GBHA board, either as an appointed or elected member, and clarifies that such service follows the same rules as other GBHA board appointments.

Key provisions

Amends Chapter 26 of the Acts of 2018 by adding a new subsection (c).

Subsection (c) states:

A single resident of the town of Sheffield may serve on the GBHA board, in either an appointed or elected capacity.
This appointment or election is subject to all other provisions of section 5 and section 5A of Chapter 121B (which govern GBHA board membership, eligibility, terms, vacancies, etc.).

The bill effectively creates a right for a Sheffield resident to participate as a GBHA board member as a tenant representative, aligning with existing practitioner rules for board membership.

Who would be affected

Primary: Great Barrington Housing Authority (GBHA) board composition and governance.

Affected individuals: A resident of Sheffield (specifically, a single resident) who would be eligible to serve as either an appointed or elected GBHA board member.

Broader stakeholders: GBHA residents and tenants in Great Barrington and Sheffield who rely on the GBHA for housing management and oversight; the provision may influence tenant participation, governance transparency, and tenant engagement efforts.

Procedural and timeline considerations

The bill would amend existing state law (Chapter 26 of 2018 Acts) by adding subsection (c) to authorize a Sheffield resident’s service on GBHA board.

Appointment/election would follow the standard processes outlined in Chapter 121B, sections 5 and 5A (as amended by the bill), ensuring consistency with current board appointment norms.

No specific effective date or transition period is listed in the text provided; enactment would presumably occur upon passage and signature, with any necessary regulatory or administrative adjustments implemented by GBHA and relevant state authorities.

Notes for readers

The bill is targeted and narrow in scope, focusing on tenant representation for GBHA and does not create a statewide mandate for all housing authorities.

It recognizes Sheffield’s role within GBHA governance and formalizes tenant representation in line with existing board appointment rules.

If you’d like, I can provide a side-by-side comparison with current Chapter 121B provisions or a brief outline of the potential governance implications for GBHA.