Now more than ever we must rely on each other, get to know our neighbors, and work to build solidarity right where we live. Join us for a training on tenant organizing, your rights as a tenant, and how tenant power is part of our bigger fight for housing justice.
Tenant Organizing Training
Wednesday, June 25, 6pm-7:30pm
ONE Northside Office, 4750 N Sheridan, Ste 200
Zoom option available – a link will be emailed to you
In case you missed the news: this historic ordinance that passed earlier this month will spur the construction of permanently affordable, environmentally sustainable, tenant-governed housing units throughout Chicago — helping to address both the housing crisis and climate crisis. This is a huge win! Now we are moving straight into organizing around implementation – how and where will these units be built? To get involved, fill out our Get Involved form here and mention your interest in Green Social Housing!
Another leap forward for housing justice happened in City Council this month! This ordinance will protect tenants by preventing no-cause evictions or requiring the landlord to pay relocation assistance to the tenants. This will help fight gentrification and help stabilize communities! We will keep pushing for this as it moves forward.
So far, this year, ONE Northside has helped establish 2 tenant unions — one in Rogers Park and one in Uptown — who were both facing lease terminations due to new corporate landlords who wanted to update the buildings and raise rents. These tenant unions fought and won relocation assistance and other benefits from their new landlords, however they are both examples of why we need a law like Just Cause for Eviction in place.
We’ve collected over 400 surveys of residents across the North Side, to hear what they care about most. We need your help to collect more! Sign up for a shift here. Training is included – everyone is welcome! It’s fun and easy, and a great way to meet your neighbors on the North Side.
We are also looking for events to table at to collect surveys, or organizations where we could come in and talk to many people all at once at a pre-arranged meeting time. If you’ve got an event or an organization we could collect surveys at, please contact us at this form.
After a year of organizing with tenants, neighbors, allies and supporters, we are excited to share that a tentative deal is in place to keep the Leland Building affordable and keep the residents in place! The deal is not final yet, but we are hopeful it will be soon, and relieved that the building is no longer in foreclosure proceedings.
This is an example of what is possible when tenants come together with neighbors and elected officials to advocate for affordable housing and justice for these tenants. Thank you to Alderwoman Clay, Sen. Simmons, Rep. Huynh, Department of Housing Commissioner Lisette Casteñeda, the Chicago Housing Authority, our many allies and supporters, Mercy Community Capital and Mercy Housing, who have all worked to make this great outcome possible.
Read more about the Leland Building update in this Chicago Tribune article. Stay tuned for an update this summer once the deal to preserve the Leland is complete.
