Wait…What?! Evictions and the Eviction Moratorium

Wait…What?! Evictions and the Eviction Moratorium

“Wait…What?!” is a bi-monthly discussion offering a chance for our community to convene in rich discussion of emerging issues we all face, albeit with varied challenges.

This panel discussion will center on Evictions and the Eviction Moratorium. Our panelists represent various sectors and means of community engagement.

The discussion will include:

• What the eviction moratorium means;
• What has happened locally since the lifting of the eviction moratorium;
• What the role of state legislators in addressing this crisis; and
• Where people can go for help and what to expect moving forward.

Meet the moderator and panelists

Pamela Schwartz

Pamela Schwartz has served as Director of the Western Massachusetts Network to End Homelessness since 2009. She began her professional life as a legal services lawyer working on behalf of low-income tenants and then moved into policy work with, respectively, the Tax Equity Alliance of Massachusetts (now MA Budget and Policy Center), the Hampshire County Tobacco-Free Coalition, MA Department of Public Health, and the National Priorities Project. Her organizing work includes serving as Western MA field director for the No on Question 1 campaign in 2008 (income tax rollback question), leader of two successful property tax override campaigns in Northampton (2009 and 2013), and as chair of the write-in campaign for Senator Jo Comerford’s state senate race (2018). Pamela also served in elected office as Northampton’s Ward 4 City Councilor (2009-2013). Pamela is a graduate of Barnard College (1985) and New York University School of Law (1988). She lives in Northampton with her husband Joel Feldman and has 3 grown children.

Jennifer Dieringer

Jennifer Dieringer is the managing attorney of the Northampton and Pittsfield offices of Community Legal Aid, and specializes in family and housing law. She has handled a number of appellate cases in both areas of law, served as faculty for continuing legal education seminars, and authored academic and practice-oriented publications. She also adjuncts at various law schools and undergraduate colleges and universities, and served as a law clerk for the probate and family judges in the four western Massachusetts counties. She graduated from Northeastern University School of Law and Haverford College.

State Senator Adam Gomez (D-Springfield), Hampden District

State Senator Adam Gomez (D-Springfield) is a life-long native of Western Massachusetts. He is a proud Boricua, a father of three, a former small business owner, and a tireless advocate for Veterans and Black and Latino communities. He is also the first Latino from Hampden County to serve in the Massachusetts Senate.

His personal beliefs and experiences have driven his years of advocacy work for social justice issues such as criminal justice reform, immigrant rights, education issues, and civil rights. He has served as a member of various boards for local organizations in his District, many of which directly serve the Latino community.

Senator Gomez will complete his third term as a Springfield City Councilor in December 2021. He proudly serves the Hampden District, consisting of the three communities: Springfield, West Springfield, and Chicopee.

Rose Webster-Smith

Rose Webster-Smith joined Springfield No One Leaves in October of 2011 when Freddie Mac foreclosed on her family’s home. From there, she joined the leadership committee and the steering committee of the organization. Rose helped to organize the Fannie/Freddie fighters within the organization to plan actions in Springfield MA, New York City, Virginia, Maryland, and Washington D.C. In 2015, Rose came on staff as a part-time community organizer and in 2016 became the lead organizer transitioning the organization into a fully member-led entity. After a 6 year fight, Rose was successful in her fight against Freddie Mac winning her home back in March of 2017. Rose is currently the Executive Director of the organization.

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