Citizens' Housing and Planning Association, Inc. CHAPA

"Eric Shupin is returning to his first Massachusetts employer to continue his career-long fight for equality. He'll begin next month as the head of the housing advocate CHAPA, where he previously worked for 13 years."

Read Boston Business Journal's full piece:

Housing advocate Shupin returns to CHAPA as CEO after state policy role - Boston Business Journal Eric Shupin is returning to his first Massachusetts employer to continue his career-long fight for equality. He'll begin next month as the head of the housing advocate CHAPA, where he previously worked for 13 years.

Discussing housing politics is more fun over margaritas!

This month, CHAPA's North Urban cohort of Housing Leadership Fellows took their monthly meeting outside to the Burrito Grill next to Malden City Hall for a detailed (and fun) session on community engagement.

Learn more about the Housing Leadership Academy: https://chapa.org/advocates-and-policymakers/pro-housing-education-and-action/massachusetts-housing-leadership-academy/

Thank you to Sarah Raposa for hosting CHAPA's Housing Leadership Academy Outer Suburbs cohort in Medway this week!

Each month, our Housing Leadership Fellows meet with a group of pro-housing local officials from similar communities to discuss strategies to overcome their communities' housing challenges. This month, we talked about strategically engaging stakeholders to build coalitions behind housing policy reform.

Learn more about the Housing Leadership Academy: https://chapa.org/advocates-and-policymakers/pro-housing-education-and-action/massachusetts-housing-leadership-academy/

CHAPA selects Eric Shupin as new CEO - Boston Agent Magazine The Citizens’ Housing and Planning Association appointed Eric Shupin as CEO. However, his new role won’t be his first at CHAPA.

Want to know how the federal climate is impacting housing here on the ground in Massachusetts? Join CHAPA's monthly federal policy call: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/3pcL7zthTqGmQD2oN8AWVA

This Monday (5/18), we'll hear from Josh Dubensky from Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders, Inc. (SAGE) on the proposed federal rule to rescind LGBTQ+ anti-discrimination protections in HUD programs and how you can submit public comments to oppose this rule change.

Register today: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/3pcL7zthTqGmQD2oN8AWVA

Next week, the Massachusetts Senate will debate the FY2027 state budget. This is an important opportunity to remind senators that housing affordability remains one of the most urgent challenges facing the Commonwealth! https://actionnetwork.org/letters/ask-your-state-sen-to-cosponsor-these-affordable-housing-budget-amendments?source=linkedin

CHAPA is prioritizing amendments that will help provide permanent housing solutions for households with low incomes, including resources for rental assistance programs, public housing, housing consumer education centers, and fair housing enforcement, among others.

The more cosponsors a budget amendment has, the more Senate leadership understands there is strong support for that proposal. That’s why it’s critical your state senator hears from you about the importance of these housing programs in the FY2027 state budget!

For an in-depth analysis of the current Senate FY2027 budget proposal, please see CHAPA’s website: https://chapa.org/senate-ways-and-means-releases-fy27-budget-housing-item-analysis/

Join us at the on June 4th to celebrate these housing leaders: https://chapa.org/event/chapas-59th-annual-dinner/

🏆 Whitney Demetrius is the Director of Fair Housing for the State’s inaugural Office of Fair Housing at the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities. She has worked in fair housing for over a decade, is passionate about housing justice, and is committed to working to eliminate housing discrimination and promote open and welcoming communities for all.

🏆 Renee Spencer is a dedicated housing advocate, community leader, and lifelong Massachusetts resident whose life’s work has been rooted in a simple but powerful belief: every person deserves a voice in the decisions that shape their home and their community. A proud Wellesley resident since 1983, Renee has spent more than 35 years showing up for tenants, for neighbors, and for anyone who needed someone in their corner. She currently serves as a Network Leader with the Mass Union of Public Housing Tenants.

🏆 Greg Reibman is President & CEO of the Charles River Regional Chamber, the fourth-largest chamber in Massachusetts, representing more than 1,300 member businesses and nonprofits across Newton, Needham, Watertown, Wellesley, and Brookline. Since taking the helm at the chamber in 2012, Reibman has been a consistent and outspoken advocate for housing production, economic development, DEI, small-business support, and workforce issues across Greater Boston's inner western suburbs and Eastern Massachusetts.

Get your tickets for the CHAPA Dinner today: https://chapa.org/event/chapas-59th-annual-dinner/

CHAPA's Municipal Engagement Initiative (MEI) application is now open until May 18th! bit.ly/CHAPA-MEI-2026-App

This year, we are rolling out a brand new model that condenses the formerly 12-month process into a 6-month cohort program, while providing advocates with all the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to successfully move housing forward. We are seeking four new communities for the June-December session.

Applicants must:

✔️ Identify a group of 3-5 resident volunteers committed to participating in the program
✔️ Opportunities for housing production in the next 6-12 months

Apply today: bit.ly/CHAPA-MEI-2026-App

CHAPA is proud to announce the selection of Eric Shupin as its next chief executive officer.

Shupin brings extensive experience advancing housing policy, organizational strategy, and systems change in Massachusetts. Known for his collaborative leadership style and ability to align diverse stakeholders, he has worked across government, nonprofit, and private-sector partners to expand housing access and affordability.

“I’m honored to return to CHAPA at such an important moment for housing in Massachusetts,” said Shupin. “For decades, CHAPA has brought people together to drive meaningful progress on the Commonwealth’s most pressing housing challenges, and I’m excited to build on that legacy. I look forward to working with the team and our partners statewide to take on the challenges ahead and continue delivering results for residents and communities across the Commonwealth.”

Read the full release: https://chapa.org/chapa-selects-eric-shupin-as-next-ceo/