The Tenants Movement And Housers

How the tenants movement of the 1970s and 1980s evolved into the housing and community development movement of today.

1 minute read

February 2, 2006, 8:00 AM PST

By David Gest


"Much has changed in the last 30 years about the housing movement. While there are still some strong local tenants' rights organizations around the country, they have been drastically reduced in numbers, replaced by community development corporations and other related agencies. Many of the existing tenant groups have expanded beyond tenant rights and organizing into tangential activities to support their operations or to enlarge their focus."

"On the 30th anniversary of Shelterforce Magazine, it's important for readers to understand where the tenants and housing movements intersected then and now. Twelve people who were leaders in their local tenant organizations in the 1970s, and are still involved in housing today, were asked to provide their perspective on their tenant work and to reflect on what opportunities and challenges lie ahead in support of affordable housing."

Thanks to David Holtzman

Friday, December 1, 2006 in Shelterforce Magazine

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