City
Life/Vida Urbana wrote this easy-to-understand instruction
guide in 2000 to show tenants how to regain control of their
housing situations. Look here for basic concepts and strategies.
After
forming a tenants association, one of the most important
first steps is letting your landlord know - in writing
- what your concerns or demands are. Here are some sample
letters which can give you an idea about how to approach
the letter-writing process.
Sample
organizing materials
Here
is a gallery of pamphlets,
posters and targeted responses that others have used to
organize against unfair real estate interests - browse
for ideas and inspiration.
In activism,
to "organize" means to systematically work together
as a group. This approach is important because it is much harder
for someone in power - a landlord, a politician, an employer,
or even the media - to ignore a large number of people than
a single individual. Successful organizing requires coordination
and planning ahead; this page features tips and tools to help
you mobilize tenants to take collective action effectively.
The
WeOwn Network
Check
out WeOwn.net
for info on how to design housing cooperatives and multi-family
housing where the residents are in control.
