2024 Theses Master's

Evaluating Tenant Associations Ability to Fight Gentrification

White, Natalie

Gentrification and displacement contribute to the stress of finding and maintaining affordable housing throughout the world. In affordable units, landlords can abuse their tenants undetected due to the tenants’ lack of other options for housing or lack of awareness of their rights. NYC HPD defines tenant harassment as including, but not limited to, threats, refusing to conduct maintenance, unjustified evictions, etc. The goal of such harassment can differ, such as taking advantage of vulnerable tenants, evicting low income tenants to raise rents, avoiding necessary repairs to save money, etc. Tenant associations are one of the tools that occupants can utilize to ensure fair housing, exercise their rights, and avoid displacement.