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How a renter education course could lower barriers to housing

Katie Ellington Serrao

March 26, 2024 |

Richland Source |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Wood County, Wisconsin

The Rent Smart renter’s education program helps people who face barriers to finding housing gain the necessary skills and knowledge to have a successful renting experience. The program teaches participants their rights and responsibilities as a tenant and in a six-month follow-up survey, 92% of participants said they found safer, more affordable, better-quality housing after finishing the program.

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Arizona mobile home parks are disappearing. This nonprofit wants to save them.

Juliette Rihl

November 01, 2023 |

AZ Central (The Arizona Republic) |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States

In 2008, ROC USA began helping form resident-owned mobile home communities, and since then has assisted in the creation of over 300 such communities in 21 states throughout the U.S, consisting of almost 22,000 homeowners throughout the U.S. The organization works with philanthropic organizations, other nonprofits, insurers, banks and government entities to raise commitments in advance of a park’s purchase.

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As Renters Revolt, Tenant Unions are On the Rise

Charlotte Alter

October 26, 2023 |

Time Magazine |

Documentary |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Kansas City, Missouri

KC Tenants is a tenant union that connects renters to put pressure on landlords and local government to protect tenant rights. With the help of the group’s political arm, KC Tenants Power, they have blocked thousands of evictions, received millions of dollars in funding to secure affordable housing for those in need and have grown to about 10,000 members. Outside of blocking evictions and securing long-term affordable housing, the group also has four members who won City Council seats.

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As Chicago Punts on Apartment Safety, Denver Shows What's Possible

Alex Nitkin

September 18, 2023 |

Illinois Answers Project |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Denver, Colorado

A new licensing system that registers landlords and requires safety checks is ensuring tenants have safe places to live that are up to code and meet basic safety standards like having working smoke detectors or being free of mold. So far about 4,000 single-unit rental properties have been inspected and signed off on as safe places to live and the city has issued 1,578 violations to buildings that don’t meet the safety criteria.

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Why Grove Park Residents Say This Housing Nonprofit Is Hurting Their Neighborhood

Chauncey Alcorn

September 06, 2023 |

Capital B (Atlanta) |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Atlanta, Georgia

Grove Park Renewal aims to help residents from the majority-black area of northwest Atlanta become homeowners by turning vacant properties into newly renovated, affordable homes. The nonprofit also offers an affordable rental program that allows qualifying individuals and families to live in one of its properties at a more affordable, income-adjusted rate.

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“I wish it were this easy for everyone out there”: How digital platforms are reshaping rental experiences in Tanzania

Mweha Msemo

August 30, 2023 |

Minority Africa |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: Tanzania

In response to a lack of action from local government, individuals are turning to digital platforms like WhatsApp and Facebook groups to avoid scammers and price gouging in the rental industry. These groups have thousands of members and allow landlords and tenants to interact directly without middlemen interfering and charging unnecessary fees.

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How Cleveland levels the playing field for tenants facing eviction

Katie Ellington Serrao

August 22, 2023 |

Richland Source |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Cleveland, Ohio

Legal aid programs like The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland provide legal counsel to people who can’t afford it, particularly in housing cases between landlords and tenants. The Legal Aid Society’s Right to Counsel Cleveland (RTCC) provides counsel to low-income residents facing eviction with a child in the household. RTCC launched in July 2020 and by 2022 16% of tenants facing eviction had court representation.

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How Philadelphia Kept Thousands of Tenants From Being Evicted

Aidan Gardiner

July 13, 2023 |

The New York Times |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

A program that came about during the COVID-19 pandemic requires tenants to be granted an opportunity for mediation with their landlord if they owe less than $3,000 in back rent before the landlord issues an eviction notice. If after 30 days there isn’t an agreement — or the tenant hasn’t shown up to the mediation — the landlord can follow through with the eviction. This program provides tenants with an opportunity to stay in their homes and has helped more than 4,000 people since starting in late 2020.

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How These NYC Public Housing Residents Became Models for Tenant Rights Activism

Adam Mahoney

January 11, 2023 |

Capital B (National) |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

Cooper Park Houses community is a historically Black, low-income housing complex. While the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated longstanding issues of gentrification and access to housing, the Cooper Park community has worked to advocate for themselves and their community, fighting industrialization and development that could put their homes at risk by banding together and collaborating with other local organizations.

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How tenants around Portland fight back against landlords

Christine Menges

January 04, 2023 |

Street Roots |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Portland, Oregon

Don’t Evict PDX (DEPDX) works with tenants to prevent evictions through education and helping tenants to organize and advocate for themselves. From fighting eviction notices to helping tenants learn how to effectively communicate with landlords, DEPDX offers a slew of services and resources all without people needing to become members of the group or pay any dues.

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