About

Our Mission

We stand up for abundant housing for all in communities across Massachusetts. We drive policy at the state and local level by identifying pro-housing changemakers, building the power of local organizers, and connecting a statewide network.


Our Vision

We want to create, sustain, and enhance…

  • Abundant housing for all
  • A housing market that lets people move when they want, where they want, not when they have to
  • Communities with racially and economically diverse residents
  • Development patterns that facilitate low/no-carbon lifestyles
  • Education on effective organizing tools to address our history of racial segregation

The Problem

Massachusetts has a severe housing shortage. We aren’t building enough homes to keep pace with demand, especially near jobs and transit. What’s more, 50 years after the passage of the federal Fair Housing Act, much of what we have is still largely segregated by income and race.


Our Solution

We are advocates for:

  • More housing near transit and jobs
  • Robust tenant protections to prevent displacement
  • Reform of exclusionary zoning rules
  • Sustainable development practices and communities
  • Robust funding of social and subsidized housing

Our Actions

We will:

  • Convene pro-housing groups around the state to help shape their messages and become more effective
  • Nurture diversity within grassroots pro-housing groups
  • Coordinate support for statewide and local legislative and regulatory initiatives

Our Members

Boston Artist Impact

Equitable Arlington

And hundreds of individual pro-housing activists like you, fighting for welcoming communities across our Commonwealth.

Our Staff

Jesse Kanson-Benanav, Executive Director

  • Grew Up: Saint Paul, MN
  • Currently: Jamaica Plain, Boston
Headshot of Kassie Infante

Kassie Infante, Associate Director of Operations

  • Grew Up: Lawrence, MA
  • Currently: Haverhilll, MA

Julia Davidovitz, Regional Organizer

Grew Up: Belmont, MA
Currently: Brighton, MA

Headshot of Joyce Mandell, regional organizer at abundant housing ma

Joyce Mandell, Regional Organizer

Grew Up: Newton, MA
Currently: Worcester, MA

Cheryl Daniel, Communications & Marketing Intern

  • Grew Up: Oklahoma City, OK
  • Currently: Boston, MA

Mike Kriesberg, Policy, Research & Advocacy Intern

Grew Up: West Roxbury, MA
Currently: Queens, NY

Our Board

Andrea Aldana,
Clerk

  • Grew Up: Miami Beach, FL
  • Currently: Eastham, MA
  • Employer: Community Development Partnership (Cape Cod)
Headshot of Burhan Azeem

Burhan Azeem, Treasurer

  • Grew Up: Staten Island, NY
  • Currently: Cambridge, MA
  • Employer: Cambridge City Councilor
Headshot of Jonathan Berk

Jonathan Berk

  • Grew Up: Swampscott, MA
  • Currently: Salem
  • Employer: Patronicity

Manikka Bowman

  • Grew Up: Lake Charles, LA
  • Currently: Cambridge, MA

Molly Goodman, President

  • Grew Up: Jamaica Plain, Boston
  • Currently: Jamaica Plain, Boston
  • Employer: Midas Collaborative
Headshot of Beyazmin Jimenez

Beyazmin Jimenez,
President Emerita

  • Grew Up: Lawrence, MA
  • Currently: Jamaica Plain, Boston
  • Employer: The Lazu Group
Headshot of Jarred Johnson

Jarred Johnson

  • Grew Up: Oklahoma City, OK
  • Currently: Somerville, MA
  • Employer: TransitMatters

Cathy Mercado

  • Grew Up: Lowell, MA
  • Currently: Lowell, MA
  • Employer: Merrimack Valley Housing Partnership
Headshot of Jacob Oppenheim

Jacob Oppenheim,
Vice President

  • Grew Up: Annandale, VA
  • Currently: South End, Boston
  • Employer: EQRx

Elijah Romulus

  • Grew Up: Brockton, MA
  • Currently: Taunton, MA
  • Employer: Old Colony Planning Council