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They were evicted and had to take their homes with them. But they also won something in return.

Cristina Bolling

September 09, 2019 |

La Noticia |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Charlotte, North Carolina

When the mobile park they lived in was sold and evictions were imminent, residents of Oakhaven banded together to demand relocation packages and other rights. While they were eventually forced out, they succeeded in winning more money than they were originally promised, and they credit this to their ability to organize and petition.

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This Oakland Community Hub Was Designed for Restorative Justice

Emily Nonko

August 08, 2019 |

Next City |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Oakland, California

Partnerships between nonprofits strengthen efforts to promote economic justice. Working together, several nonprofits focused on economic and restorative justice in Oakland have succeeded in opening Restore Oakland, a community and multipurpose center. The new building, which received funding from private donations and from the Akonadi foundation, provides a space nonprofits like the Ella Baker Center and the Restaurant Opportunity Centers United (ROC United).

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A Worker Cooperative and a Community Land Trust Bought a Building Together

Oscar Perry Abello

June 18, 2019 |

Next City |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Oakland, California

Cooperative ownership provides an avenue through which local nonprofit organizations and businesses can retain ownership of real estate. In Oakland, California, the Oakland Community Land Trust uses federal grants and donations to then acquire and retain ownership of commercial and residential properties. In cases where funds offered by the Trust or from crowdfunded donations are not sufficient, as with the Hasta Nuerte worker owned co-op coffee shop, offering up equity in the venture to private investors can help raise capital.

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'Someone To Speak For You': Low-Income Tenants Get Lawyers For Housing Court

Jenifer McKim

April 03, 2019 |

NPR |

Radio |

3-5 Minutes

Response Location: United States, New York

New York City has pioneered one of the nation's first programs to provide free legal services to low-income tenants under threat of eviction. Recent studies have indicated that evictions declined more in cities that had implemented right to counsel, and more cities are looking to follow New York's example as they work to prevent housing instability and homelessness.

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When Your Sexual Harasser Has Keys to Your Apartment

Christina Colón

March 18, 2019 |

Sojourners |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Syracuse, New York

Strategies for combatting sexual harassment in housing across the United States begin with increased awareness and reporting. With incidents of sexual harassment in housing chronically underreported since the passing of the Fair Housing Act in 1974, recent initiatives by nonprofits like CNY Fair Housing and programs by the Departments of Justice and Housing and Urban Development seek to address the issue. These initiatives focus on increasing awareness and education, informing both landlords and tenants of Fair Housing policy.

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New York Has a Public Housing Problem. Does London Have an Answer?

Michael Kimmelman

March 01, 2019 |

The New York Times |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United Kingdom, London, England

It takes political will to create mixed-income housing and manage the social impacts of gentrification. In contrast to New York, the London borough of Hackney has taken steps to fix its housing crisis by putting the interests of residents ahead of the interests of developers. Several housing developments slated for development in the East London neighborhood now blend subsidized and market-rate units.

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Baltimore enacts new rules to root out squalid rental properties. But some tenants could lose their homes

Doug Donovan

February 07, 2019 |

The Baltimore Sun |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Baltimore, Maryland

Baltimore passed a law that cracks down on rental property owners that have been operating without required inspection, leaving renters living in squalor. While critics fear that owners and landlords may lose business, advocates note that living conditions have drastically improved for those renting homes in these buildings.

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Seattle Is Changing Who Gets A Say At City Hall. Could Austin Learn A Thing Or Two?

Audrey McGlinchy

November 12, 2018 |

KUT |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Seattle, Washington

Getting renters involved in the conversation increases the diversity of voices and opinions in City Hall. In 2016, Seattle created a Renters’ Commission to provide a platform similar to traditional Home Owners’ Associations, where members can have an input and act as advocates for their communities. By having residents involved with the Renters’ Commission, Seattle hopes to rebalance power and involvement in local politics, from a model traditionally dominated disproportionately by homeowners, to one more representative of the city’s actual diversity.

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Landlords Are Powerful. Here's A Way Renters Are Regaining Some Control.

Oliver Balch

November 09, 2018 |

The Huffington Post |

Multi-Media |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States

A growing number of tenant-focused websites are trying to level the power dynamic between shoddy landlords and tenants by giving tenants a voice. “There is a big power mismatch in today’s rental market, but it doesn’t have to be that way.” Amongst those is Rentlogic, which grades 1.1 million apartment buildings, but rather than relying on subjective comments the website provides a grade based on an algorithm.

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Florida Community Land Trust Makes Affordable Housing Part of Hurricane Recovery

Emily Nonko

September 05, 2018 |

Next City |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Florida

A community land trust is helping people in the Keys find another home, after Hurricane Irma ravished the area. “Four cottages are expected to wrap construction this fall, with another five finished by early 2019.” The arrangement was made possible after two friends got together and formed the Florida Keys Community Land Trust, secured land from the county, and raised $1 million to build affordable disaster housing.

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