National Housing Law Project Housing Law Bulletin

A new video, produced by the California Coalition for Rural Housing Project (CCRHP), is now available for tenants and affordable housing advocates interested in tenant empowerment. Titled "Taking Control: Tenant Operation and Ownership of Rental Housing," this 30-minute video highlights five California apartment complexes in which low-income housing tenants have organized to purchase and take control of their housing and influence the conditions in which they live. It describes the process the residents went through and the challenges they overcame to gain greater involvement in the ownership and management of their housing.

The video describes four different ownership models: limited-equity cooperative, tenant-controlled nonprofit, tenant/nonprofit joint venture, and mutual housing association. Each model represents varying degrees of tenant control of the ownership entity. The appropriate ownership structure for any group of tenants depends on how much involvement they want in day-to-day decision-making.

Tenants in position of control will have greater decision-making ability than those in regular rental situations. Some of the possible decisions highlighted by the video include hiring or firing a manager or management company, developing and enforcing house rules, rent adjustments, repairs and property improvements, and screening of future residents.

The process for achieving control is complex and does not always happen in a predictable fashion. The video explains some of the major steps involved for tenants in getting started, such as forming a residents' group, developing a strategic plan, securing funding, and hiring consultants. Some of the professional consultants involved in the process describe their role in the overall purchase process.

Intended to be used by tenants and trainers working directly with tenants at the building level, this video provides positive images of "low-income housing" and of resident empowerment. The video ends with tenants and professionals describing the benefits they believe arise for tenants when they take control.

The video was funded by the Center for Cooperatives at the University of California at Davis and the Fannie Mae Foundation, and is available from CCRHP for a cost of $10 (which includes postage and shipping). A sliding scale fee is available for tenant groups. For more information, call CCRHP at (916) 443-4448, or write them at 926 "J" Street, Room 422, Sacramento, CA 95814.