Form a Tenants Association to Represent Renter’s Rights
For most of America, the population with the lowest income is the most likely to be renting their homes. Low-income renters face rising rents and no assurance that landlords will listen to and address tenants’ concerns.
Develop a community housing board to improve housing conditions and increase community involvement. Members of the board act as an intermediary between renters and landlords or contractors, helping to negotiate rent and repairs. Housing boards ensure that tenants are well informed on their rights and have strength in numbers when raising their complaints. Eventually, the community can also look towards limited-equity housing, where the building would be equally owned by the tenants and management responsibilities would be shared between them.
To get started:
Start with a core group of dedicated neighbors. With the organizing team outline your priorities for the building.
Develop relationships with your neighbors, learn about their experiences in the community and their homes
Compile a list of wants and needs from your building community, have these been brought up to the landlord already?
Create a meeting time and space, invite tenants to come together and talk about issues facing the community and possible solutions
Advocate using your collective negotiating power.
Best Practices / Innovative Programs
Urban Homesteading Assistance Board - Connect with the Urban Homesteading Assistance Board for tools and guidance on following the New York City limited equity housing model.
National Association of Housing Cooperatives - A collection of cooperative housing resources and guidebooks to help your community get started.
New Paltz Affordable Housing Board - Look to the New Paltz Afford
