Reclaiming Our Homes: The Fight for Tenant Rights

As someone who has spent years advocating for affordable housing and tenants’ rights, I’ve seen firsthand the struggles that many families face when it comes to finding a safe, stable, and affordable place to call home. It’s a battle that often feels impossible, with tenants constantly at the mercy of landlords, developers, and policymakers who seem more concerned with profits than with the well-being of the people they’re supposed to serve.

But you know what they say – when the going gets tough, the tough get going. And that’s exactly what tenants across the country are doing. They’re banding together, organizing, and using their collective power to demand the change they deserve. It’s a movement that’s been gaining momentum, and it’s one that I’m proud to be a part of.

The Power of Tenant Organizing

One of the most inspiring examples of tenant empowerment I’ve witnessed in recent years is the work of the Preservation Working Group (PWG), a national coalition of housing owners, developers, advocates, and others dedicated to preserving affordable multifamily housing. In August 2023, the PWG coordinated efforts to weigh in on the National Council of State Housing Agencies’ (NCSHA) proposed updates to the Recommended Practices in Housing Credit Administration. These recommendations serve as critical benchmarks for the 50-plus housing finance agencies across the U.S. that administer the Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), and the 2023 update is the first since 2017.

The PWG members, which include organizations like the National Housing Law Project, the National Low Income Housing Coalition, and the Network for Oregon Affordable Housing, came together to advocate for a set of recommendations that would strengthen tenant protections, bolster the nonprofit right of first refusal, and address climate risks. In their comments to the NCSHA, the PWG signatory organizations urged the agency to consider these crucial issues as they finalize the recommended practices.

This kind of collective action is exactly what we need to see more of in the fight for affordable and equitable housing. When tenants and advocates come together, they’re able to amplify their voices and make a real impact on the policies and practices that shape the housing landscape.

Empowering Tenants to Protect Their Rights

But it’s not just at the policy level that tenant organizing is making a difference. In New York City, the Public Advocate’s Worst Landlord Watchlist is shining a light on the most egregiously negligent landlords, holding them accountable for the deplorable conditions in their buildings. This kind of transparency and public pressure can be a powerful tool for tenants, empowering them to demand better living conditions and hold their landlords responsible.

Similarly, the Tenants Right to Organize Act, recently introduced by Congresswomen Ayanna Pressley and Delia Ramirez, would extend the legally recognized right to organize to tenants in Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) and Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) properties. This is a critical step in ensuring that all tenants, regardless of the type of housing they live in, have the power to advocate for their rights and hold their landlords accountable.

As the daughter of a tenants’ rights organizer, I’ve seen firsthand the transformative power of collective action. When tenants come together, they’re able to tackle even the most daunting challenges, from fighting unjust evictions to demanding better living conditions. And with the support of organizations like HACC Housing, which provides affordable housing solutions and resources for tenants, the possibilities for change are endless.

Building a Future of Affordable and Equitable Housing

Of course, the fight for affordable and equitable housing is far from over. The housing crisis in this country is a complex and multifaceted issue, with deep-rooted systemic challenges that will require sustained effort and collaboration to overcome. But I’m encouraged by the growing momentum of the tenant empowerment movement, and I believe that by continuing to organize, advocate, and amplify the voices of those most affected, we can create a future where everyone has access to safe, stable, and affordable housing.

It won’t be easy, and there will be setbacks and challenges along the way. But as I’ve learned from my time in this fight, when tenants come together and harness the power of their collective voice, there’s no limit to what they can achieve. So let’s keep the momentum going, and let’s keep fighting for the homes and communities we all deserve.