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Coloradans have been purchasing their own mobile home parks to keep them affordable. But the resident-owned model also comes with challenges, and limitations

Lucas Brady Woods

November 16, 2021 |

KSJD |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Colorado

As rents at mobile home parks continue to rise, a Colorado law giving park residents first dibs on buying the park has led to resident-owned parks across the state. Several of these parks are run as co-ops, with resident-elected governing boards that have a mandate to keep rents low. A governing body made up of residents creates community buy-in and accountability for how the park is run. Purchasing and running a park is expensive, so organizations like Homes Fund help residents find funding for the initial purchase.

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As eviction crisis looms, this Detroit group is clamoring for tenants to organize

David Sands

October 05, 2021 |

Model D |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Detroit, Michigan

Detroit Eviction Defense is fighting evictions and helps tenants and homeowners remain housed. The grassroots organization is dealing with an increasing number of eviction notices.

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Paris shows how to make public housing greener and more habitable at the same time

Colin Kinniburgh

September 29, 2021 |

Grist |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: France, Paris

Old and neglected housing contributes to climate change because it runs on fossil fuels. In New York, outdated heating systems waste two-thirds of energy. The New York City Housing Authority is not only trying to create better, safer, livable affordable housing, but also cleaner and more sustainable housing. While the city is just beginning to explore how to do that, other cities, like Paris, have already begun the work of updating old buildings that are used for affordable housing and can offer a model for American cities.

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Tenant Power

Jake Clapp

August 02, 2021 |

Gambit |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, New Orleans, Louisiana

Tenants are banding together for housing rights in different cities. From collective bargaining to advancing tenant issues, the struggle for safe and affordable housing has been carried out through the efforts of grassroots tenant organizers. One such group is the New Orleans Renters Rights Assembly, which educates tenants about their rights. Others have led strikes resulting in renovations and tenant-friendly policy changes.

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Health Care Institutions Invest in Tenant Protections for Community Health

Alex Williamson

February 12, 2021 |

Shelterforce |

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Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States

Hospitals and other health care institutions across the United States are investing funds into surrounding communities to tackle issues that directly impact them: Housing stability. They’re funding campaigns that strengthen tenant protections due to the direct link between health outcomes and housing stability.

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Door-to-door: Advocates canvass neighborhoods, informing tenants and trying to prevent evictions

Conor Morris

October 19, 2020 |

FreshWater Cleveland |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Cleveland, Ohio

Chapters of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) are using door-to-door campaigns to inform tenants about their rights if facing an eviction. Although evidence is limited about the success in preventing the evictions, some tenants have expressed that the outreach has helped them feel heard and many are more likely to show up in court.

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Trying to prevent evictions one door knock at a time

Conor Morris

October 19, 2020 |

The Land |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Cleveland, Ohio

Renters facing eviction in Cleveland, Ohio are receiving home visits from members of Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). They hand out pamphlets informing the residents of their options, their rights, and the repercussions of having an eviction notice on their file. Some tenants weren't even informed of the eviction until DSA members showed up at their doorstep. DSA also connected people with resources that could help keep them in their homes such as rental-assistance programs and Cleveland's Right to Counsel program offering free legal aid.

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What legislators can learn from a Boston public housing development

Jasmine Nicole Olivier

October 02, 2020 |

The Boston Globe |

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Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Boston, Massachusetts

Over the four decades that a major Boston public housing development was run by a tenant management corporation (TMC), residents' safety and relations with police improved in ways that serve as lessons today as gun violence in neighborhoods with high poverty rates has prompted debates over reimagining public safety. As the first of many TMCs in the nation, the one at the Mildred C. Hailey Apartments lowered crime by changing the dynamic between residents and police, through greater community control. The TMC, with its own police department, was disbanded in 2012. Crime since has gone up there.

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How Lightfoot and housing activists reached an uneasy détente in the battle for Woodlawn's future

Alex Nitkin

July 22, 2020 |

The TRiiBE |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Chicago, Illinois

After tense negotiations and protests, the Coalition for a CBA (Community Benefits Agreement) and the mayor of Chicago agreed to an ordinance guaranteeing a percentage of affordable housing for tenants making below 50% of median income. The coalition expects gentrification to accelerate due to the nearby $500 million Obama Presidential Center, making housing unaffordable for current residents. In addition to negotiations, the coalition organized a blockade of the mayor’s office and set up a “tent city” to emphasize their message. Not all residents want the ordinance and neither side got everything they want.

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Renters are rising up to unionise and take on dodgy landlords

Andrew Kersley

July 09, 2020 |

Wired |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United Kingdom

Renters' unions in the United Kingdom have provided more aide recently because the Covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated problems facing renters. The Association of Community Organisations for Reform Now is one of the largest renters’ unions in the UK and has been helping members fight illegal evictions and stop landlords from breaking lockdown rules. The group fears a “glut of evictions” when the government lifts restrictions. There are many renters’ unions in the UK, which might dilute their effectiveness, and the combined membership in the thousands is just a small fraction of Britain’s 4.5 million renters.

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