Public-Housing Victory Shows Way for Rent-Laws Fight

By Margarita Lopez

In 1997 the tenants of rent stabilized and rent controlled housing in New York City will be confronted with the battle of their lives: saving the rent-regulation laws. These tenants may benefit from the recent experiences of public-housing tenants, who forged a tremendous and successful struggle to save public housing during this past summer.

As early as May 1996, housing organizers, together with tenants of the projects in Loisaida (the Lower East Side), began a systematic organizing campaign. The first activity was a housing forum that took place in one of the many community gardens in our neighborhood. The leaflet publicizing this forum had a clear and simple message -- to connect the issues confronted by tenants of public and private housing. The forum panelists clearly established a link between the efforts to eliminate the laws protecting rent-regulated housing in 1997 and the virulent attack by Congress on the Housing Act of 1937. Through this forum 250 persons, many of whom were residents of the projects, volunteered to disseminate information to their neighbors.

With minimal resources but lots of stamina, the tenants of the projects began holding meetings where the other tenants were -- in the lobbies of their buildings! For every meeting, leaflets were posted by the elevator on each floor and in the mailbox area. In addition, a tenant on each floor was assigned to tell the other neighbors on their floor about it. Meetings were always well attended, with at least 75 people showing up every time. Each meeting opened with a presentation about the proposed elimination of the Housing Act of 1937 and the Brooke Amendment. Speakers gave concrete examples of how this proposal would affect both tenants in the projects and in the entire Loisaida area. They also established clear connections between the present battle and the one expected in 1997 to save the rent-regulation laws.

Following the presentation, tenants were asked to become agents of change by distributing fact sheets to their neighbors who were not present at the meeting. They were also asked to take responsibility for getting their neighbors to sign a blue postcard protesting the proposal; the cards were collected and mailed to Senator Alfonse D'Amato. The tenants decided that the campaign would culminate with a march to City Hall on Sept. 11, where the administration of the New York City Housing Authority and Mayor Giuliani would be denounced for their participation in seeking to destroy moderate-rate housing in the projects as well as in private housing. This demonstration commenced in Loisaida and was joined by hundreds of residents along the way.

The organizing model the tenants utilized was of a local character. All activities requiring their participation took place after working hours. The tenants took actions that required their presence during working hours on only three occasions during the campaign. The rest of the activities, ranging from telephone campaigns that flooded the lines in the Senate, the House, and the mayor's office, to collecting signatures for 14,000 cards and 4,000 letters to Senator D'Amato, took place without interfering with the tenants' other responsibilities. The meetings in the vestibules of their buildings were always held after 6:30 p.m., thereby maximizing tenant participation. Meetings never lasted more than an hour and a half, allowing tenants to bring their children and making it easier for the elderly and disabled to attend.

In addition to the local organizing developed by the tenants that enlisted the support of elected officials from the area, they succeeded in cultivating the attention of the Spanish and English-language media. The tenants got coverage communicating their message on 16 media outlets, including television, print, and radio. These efforts finally resulted in the the proposed legislation's demise in a House-Senate conference committee in September, and a victory for the residents of public housing in New York City and the entire nation.

The rent regulations and controls that protect tenants expire in 1997, and the governor of New York can stop this devastating possibility. In the same way that tenants in Loisaida stopped Congress' attacks on public housing, in 1997 we can organize an unprecedented campaign to force Governor Pataki to protect the moderate-rate housing stock.

This campaign must commence now. Utilizing the local organizing model, meetings must be held in every neighborhood. The efforts of each locality will eventually become a massive force bringing together tenants from the city's five boroughs. Groups of individuals and/or organizations must be willing to begin organizing forums and holding meetings on their blocks, in churches and on every corner, if necessary, to spread the message. The power of the vote and our ability to organize are the tools to utilize. We must convince the Mayor, Senator D'Amato and other elected officials that supporting the rent-regulation laws is the best measure for New York City and all its residents.

With my placard, pen in hand, my right to vote, and ability to organize, I will see you in any building, community garden, or avenue where there is a need to organize. On to victory in 1997, and a future where rent stabilization and rent control will be here to stay.