Tenants have a reasonable fear of eviction if they complain about housing conditions. First there is the cost and difficulty in finding affordable housing, the cost of an actual move, and the disruption in having to move.
Then there is the risk of being blacklisted. The landlords in Indianapolis have their own organization used for political advocacy and shared .information.
The unity in numbers can help protect tenants, but it is not an invincible shield. We need a strong enforcement agency to maintain basic health code standards.
Also, it isn’t only low income tenants who benefit from a tenant union. All people who rent their homes are at the mercy of landlords to keep their rental property in safe condition.
Crystal, I always welcome an opportunity to say more! :) I have written a great deal about tenant unions, some linked in this article. This was one of the central pieces: https://wagingnonviolence.org/2023/03/louisville-tenant-union-at-forefront-of-growing-national-movement/ Agreed 100% that tenant unions are a "yes, and" response along with strong government protection of tenants' rights--protection that tenant unions in places like Kansas City and Louisville go to their representatives to advocate for.
Prof. Quigley, please say more.
Tenants have a reasonable fear of eviction if they complain about housing conditions. First there is the cost and difficulty in finding affordable housing, the cost of an actual move, and the disruption in having to move.
Then there is the risk of being blacklisted. The landlords in Indianapolis have their own organization used for political advocacy and shared .information.
The unity in numbers can help protect tenants, but it is not an invincible shield. We need a strong enforcement agency to maintain basic health code standards.
Also, it isn’t only low income tenants who benefit from a tenant union. All people who rent their homes are at the mercy of landlords to keep their rental property in safe condition.
Crystal, I always welcome an opportunity to say more! :) I have written a great deal about tenant unions, some linked in this article. This was one of the central pieces: https://wagingnonviolence.org/2023/03/louisville-tenant-union-at-forefront-of-growing-national-movement/ Agreed 100% that tenant unions are a "yes, and" response along with strong government protection of tenants' rights--protection that tenant unions in places like Kansas City and Louisville go to their representatives to advocate for.