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- Title
THE FUTURE OF HOUSING ORGANIZING: TENANT UNIONS.
- Authors
LENEHAN, ROSE; RAGHUVEER, TARA
- Abstract
This article explores the emergence of tenant unions in response to the housing crisis in the United States. It sheds light on the challenges faced by individuals dealing with issues like unaffordable rent, substandard living conditions, and the threat of eviction. The article highlights the power dynamics between tenants and real estate capital, with landlords prioritizing profits over tenant well-being. Tenant unions are seen as a means for tenants to organize and advocate for their rights, although they are still in the early stages and face obstacles. While tenant unions have not yet achieved their ultimate goals of federal rent control and ending homelessness, they are making progress and gaining strength. The article focuses on two tenant unions, the Hillside Villa Tenants Association in Los Angeles and KC Tenants in Kansas City, and their efforts to secure affordable housing and protect tenant rights. The Hillside Villa Tenants Association successfully negotiated a deal to subsidize lower rents for another decade after fighting against rent increases and eviction cases. KC Tenants campaigned against a proposed downtown baseball stadium, effectively defeating a sales tax that would have displaced tenants and transferred public wealth to private entities. Both unions emphasize the importance of strategic decision-making, building collective power, and evaluating the outcomes of their advocacy.
- Subjects
HOMELESSNESS; HOUSING; TENANTS; CITY dwellers; CHICKEN as food; POOR communities
- Publication
In These Times, 2024, Vol 48, Issue 6, p44
- ISSN
0160-5992
- Publication type
Article