From the website:
Mission
Citizens' Housing and Planning Association (CHAPA) is the non-profit umbrella organization for affordable housing and community development activities throughout Massachusetts. Established in 1967, CHAPA is the only statewide group which represents all interests in the housing and community development field, including non-profit and for-profit developers, municipal officials, local housing providers and advocates, tenants, homeowners, lenders, consultants, property managers, architects, and others.
CHAPA's mission is to encourage the production and preservation of housing that is affordable to low-income families and individuals. CHAPA pursues its goals through advocacy with local, state and federal officials; research on affordable-housing issues; education and training for organizations and individuals; and coalition- and consensus-building among broad interests in the field.
CHAPA's Core Activities
CHAPA's core activities span four main areas - Housing Advocacy, Research, Community Education and Training, and Coalition Building.
Housing Advocacy
The agency uses its contacts with local, state and federal officials to encourage housing preservation and production through new programs, incentives and regulations. CHAPA is very active in the state's annual budget process and legislative agenda to ensure adequate housing resources are available for low income people. In addition, CHAPA frequently convenes meetings and forums between housing advocates and public officials to discuss policy priorities, program design and regulations.
Research
CHAPA produces frequent research reports on a wide variety of topics. Research findings are followed by concrete action steps, which aim toward real changes in public policy and programs. CHAPA's recent studies have covered a wide variety of topics, including: an assessment of statewide affordable housing needs; preserving the long-term affordability of subsidized housing; housing for people with disabilities and special needs; and expanding home-ownership opportunities.
Community Education and Training
CHAPA's education and training are designed to increase information-sharing among diverse sectors in the housing field and to build the capacity of organizations and agencies which develop and manage low income housing. Each year, CHAPA sponsors approximately 30 trainings which are attended by over 4,000 people.
Coalition Building
CHAPA frequently builds coalitions among groups that rarely come together to discuss common concerns. CHAPA's office serves as a central meeting ground at which all segments of the housing community can work towards a common agenda. CHAPA has formed several active coalitions in a variety of specific areas including special needs housing, non-profit housing development, elderly housing, smart-growth development and public housing.
Locations:
Ad-Lib Center for Independent Living
Serves Berkshire County
215 North Street
Pittsfield, MA 01201
413-442-7047 Voice
413-442-7158 TTY
800-232-7047 Toll-free Voice
413-443-4338 Fax
www.adlibcil.org (December 2008, I could not get this website to work, if you need help in Western Mass, check w/Stavros Center below. TF)
Boston Center for Independent Living
Serves Greater Boston
60 Temple Place, 5th Floor
Boston, MA 02111
617-338-6665 Voice
617-338-6662 TTY
617-338-6661 Fax
www.bostoncil.org
Center for Living & Working
Serves Central Massachusetts
484 Main Street, Suite 345
Worcester, MA 01608
508-798-0350 Voice/TTY
508-797-4015
www.centerlw.org
Cape Organization for the Rights of the Disabled
Serves Cape & Islands
1019 Iyanough Road, #4
Hyannis, MA 02601
508-775-8300 Voice/TTY
800-649-5568 Toll-free Voice/TTY
508-775-7022 Fax
www.cilcapecod.org
Independence Associates
Serves South Shore
141 Main Street
Brockton, MA 02301
508-583-2166 Voice/TTY
800-649-5569 Toll-free Voice
508-583-2165 Fax
www.iacil.org
ILC of the North Shore & Cape Ann
Serves North Shore & Cape Ann
27 Congress Street, Suite 107
Salem, MA 01970
978-741-0077 Voice/TTY
888-751-0077 Toll-free Voice
978-741-1133 Fax
www.ilcnsca.org
MetroWest Center for Independent Living
Serves MetroWest
280 Irving Street
Framingham, MA 01702
508-875-7853 Voice/TTY
508-875-8359 Fax
www.mwcil.org
Northeast Independent Living Program
Serves Northeastern MA
20 Ballard Road
Lawrence, MA 01843
978-687-4288 Voice/TTY
978-689-4488 Fax
www.nilp.org
Southeast Center for Independent Living
Serves Fall River/New Bedford
Merrill Building
66 Troy Street
Fall River, MA 02720
508-679-9210 Voice/TTY
508-677-2377 Fax
www.secil.org
Stavros Center for Independent Living
Serves Hampden/Hampshire/Franklin Counties
210 Old Farm Road
Amherst, MA 01002
413-256-0473 Voice/TTY
800-804-1899 Voice
413-256-0190 Fax
www.stavros.org
Multicultural ILC of Boston
Serves Roxbury, Dorcester, Mattapan
110 Claiborne St.
Dorcester, MA 02124
617-288-9431 Voice
617-288-2707 TTY
617-265-2597 Fax
www.milcb.org