NCJ Number
104522
Date Published
1985
Length
7 pages
Annotation
A mediation program started in 1985 and serving two public housing developments in Boston has handled a wide range of cases and produced high rates of settlement and satisfaction.
Abstract
Joint sponsors of the program are the Law Center of the University of Massachusetts at Boston, which supplied the program director, and the Boston Housing Authority. One housing project was characterized by a high degree of tenant conflict with the property manager and extent tenant involvement in a tenant task force. The other development had little tenant involvement, and problems tended to be ignored. At both projects, tenants were wary of outsiders, frustrated because of past problems with obtaining repairs, and skeptical about mediation. The new program director used four strategies to gain the trust of the community and promote the use of mediation. He appeared informally and formally at a variety of events and provided shirts for a youth basketball team. He contacted staff members who currently handled conflicts. He went to individual tenants via hallway meetings. Finally, as residents came to like and trust him, he undertook some requested tasks that did not relate to mediation. He has now mediated and settled a large number of disputes, working alone or with tenants or staff he has trained. Conflicts between tenants over hallway cleaning and other issues have been the main type of disputes. He has also mediated disputes between tenants and management regarding apartment rehabilitation, late rental payments, and several other issues. Four other housing developments have requested mediation programs similar to this one, indicating its success.