West Springfield Thu Apr 12: Impact of Building Conditions on Court Rights, One Way to Get a Section 8 Voucher Tied to your Units

Part I: Recent additions at the Housing Court give us a great opportunity to discuss how housing quality can impact court process. We'll be introducing Caitlin Castillo, Assistant Clerk Magistrate, and Michael Roche, Assistant Chief Housing Specialist. We'll have the opportunity to talk about any questions or concerns that you may have. There may be focus on inspections against sanitary code and building code, as our guests will have experience in these areas! Caitlin Castillo most recently worked for the City of Springfield on receiverships. Michael Roche was most recently at the City of Springfield Code Enforcement Division. These two bring a depth of real-world experience to the Western Division Court and will be informative speakers to say the least.

Part II: Section 8 vouchers can be mobile or tied to units. Mobile vouchers are what we typically think of as the "Housing Choice Voucher Program." But the same program also pays landlords directly provided they lease to certain individuals who would have a hard time finding housing elsewhere. And you know who has the hardest time finding housing? Convicted criminals who have served their time and paid their debt to society. What's the point of limits on prison sentences if when you get out, no one will rent to you? Learn about the Hampden County Sheriff's CHESS program: Community Housing that is Earned, Safe, and Supportive. Come learn how to build a stable business by giving people the first big break of the rest of their lives.

This part of the program will be presented by Madeline LaSanta, Lead Counselor/Correctional Officer and CHESS Program Coordinator for the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department, After Incarceration Support Systems Program, and Jen Sordi, Assistant Superintendent, Hampden County Sheriff's Department, After Incarceration Support Systems Programs.

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Thursday, April 12^th

RHAGS Meeting Agenda

• 5:30pm Sign-in and Networking
• Cash bar
• Networking draws from Springfield, West Springfield, Holyoke, Chicopee, Ludlow, Wilbraham, East Longmeadow, Longmeadow, Agawam, Southwick, Southampton, Easthampton, Northampton, Westhampton, Hadley, South Hadley, Granby, Amherst, Belchertown, Ware, Palmer, Warren, Monson, and Hampden.
• 6:00pm Buffet dinner
• 6:40pm State-wide Business Update and Member Minutes
• 7:00pm Local Updates
• 7:05pm Legal Update
• 7:10pm Impact of Building Conditions on Court Rights
• 7:50pm One Way to Get a Section 8 Voucher Tied to your Units
• 8:30pm Networking
• 9:00pm Doors Close

New Location

Springfield Country Club
1375 Elm St
West Springfield, MA 01089

Food

• Hot buffet dinner, incl. salad and rolls
• Cash bar
• Hot Coffee & Tea
• Dessert (cookies, brownies, and blondies)

*Dietary restrictions: purchase an early-bird ticket and email hello@masslandlords.net, we will accommodate you.

Pricing

Open to the public. Non-members always welcome!

• Door:
  • Public: $45.00
  • Members: $35.00
• Early bird, reserve by 4/5 @ 12pm:
  • Public: $40.00
  • Members: $30.00