Lessons Learned
DCTA has mobilized residents, taxpayers, government officials, non-profits and faith leaders to help ussave our homes.
We're still fighting, still here, and we're optimistic about the future.
And we're working to educate others about the affordable housing crisis and the steps tenants can take to save their homes.
We're still fighting, still here, and we're optimistic about the future.
And we're working to educate others about the affordable housing crisis and the steps tenants can take to save their homes.
What have we learned? What can you do?
1. Be proactive. If you live in naturally occurring affordable housing, don't wait until you hearthat your landlord is looking to sell. If you don't already have a tenant association, form onenow. And if you learn that your landlord is looking to sell, act! You may be able to negotiatewith your landlord or potential new owners, and may even be able to buy the propertyyourselves. If DCTA had done this, we could have avoided years of struggle and upheaval. 2. Get organized. Get to know the other tenants in your community. Stay in touch with yourlandlord. Put together lists of people and organizations you may need to be in touch with. Setup email lists and a Facebook page. Get to know other organizing tools you can use. If you dothis in advance, you'll be better prepared to get the word out and act once trouble startsbrewing. Contact us for project management advice. 3. Get help. A range of state agencies, legal services organizations, and other non-profits areavailable to help. Many of them will do so for free. Get a sense of who they are before a crisishits. If it does happen, don't be shy: reach out! 4. Don't expect the system to take care of you. We live in a capitalist system in which the highest bidder wins. And this happens quickly. While some people may be nice and "do the right thing," don't assume that they will. Be prepared to take matters into your own hands. 5. Use the tools that you have. Even if things seem futile and hopeless, don't give up!Resources are available to give you hope. These include project management tools, freeconference calling, free online organizing tools, free workshops, and free consulting. Once youunderstand the available resources, you can take action to leverage them.
Here is a short list of basic resources:
- Contact Your Legislators- Contact Mass Legal Aid- Mass Legal Aid’s tenant organizing toolbox or here in PDF format- Boston Tenants Coalition - creating an "MOU" (Memo of Understanding) between you and the landlord
Please contact us if you have a need that is not met by our list; we may be able to help. And if youknow of other resources that are not listed here, please get in touch with us! We'd like to add them tohelp other visitors to this page.