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
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

Kassie Infante, Associate Director of Operations
- Grew Up: Lawrence, MA
- Currently: Haverhilll, MA

Julia Davidovitz, Regional Organizer
Grew Up: Belmont, MA
Currently: Brighton, 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)

Burhan Azeem, Treasurer
- Grew Up: Staten Island, NY
- Currently: Cambridge, MA
- Employer: Cambridge City Councilor

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

Beyazmin Jimenez,
President Emerita
- Grew Up: Lawrence, MA
- Currently: Jamaica Plain, Boston
- Employer: The Lazu Group

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

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