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tenants

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Two people with paper bird masks hold dollar bills. One wears a sign that says "Rent stabilized apartments generated $8 billion in net income for landlords last year."

Are NYC’s Rent-Stabilized Buildings Really in Crisis?

A two-year rent freeze, affecting about 1 million rent-stabilized apartments in New York, was just approved. Before the freeze passed, landlords said their buildings wouldn’t survive it. But recent analyses suggest the real culprit behind distressed buildings is predatory equity, not rent stabilization.

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Two women in a crowd of protesters hold a big hand-lettered sign that says "Power to the tenants." Other people near and behind them are also holding signs.
Policy

Tenant Advocates Wait for Action After Meeting with White House Officials

Tenants got to talk directly to the Biden administration about the need to rein in soaring rents. Will action follow?

A close-up view of two electronic doorbells on a brick wall. The bricks are painted red and blue in a pattern that the viewer is too close to to see. The doorbells, which are grubby-looking, have paper stickers next to them reading Apartment #1 or Apartment #2.
Policy

Is Everything in Your Lease Legal? Quite Possibly Not

Some leases plainly contradict state law or include questionable, punitive, or egregiously anti-tenant clauses.

One man holds a microphone and raises his other hand while speaking outside, and behind him, a person holds a white and black sign.
Tenant Organizing

Organized Tenants Are Baaaaack

After a lull in the 1990s, the tenants rights movement reemerged and has only gained strength. What caused the resurgence and what do tenants’ prospects look like?

An illustration show tenants rallying on the streets. Some have signs that read "Rent is Too Damn High." The illustration is part of Shelterforce's series "Tenant Power Returns."
Editor’s Note

Tenants Rights: It’s Not a Moment, It’s a Movement

In “Tenant Power Returns,” Shelterforce examines how the energy and focus in the housing world is returning to tenant organizing.

Housing

Tenant Rights in Our Backyard—A Panel Discussion

Tenant activists discuss how the housing movement can do better at aligning itself with the tenants’ rights movement.

Explainers

ADUs: Defined, Disambiguated, and Debated

Accessory dwelling units are being touted as a way to provide more affordable rental units for tenants, and additional monthly income for homeowners. But some cities allow them, others don’t. So what are ADUs exactly?

Policy

What Can Be Done When LIHTC Affordability Restrictions Expire?

The Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program has helped create more than 3 million affordable units across the country. But if something isn’t done soon, thousands of those homes could be lost forever as affordability periods expire.

Interview

Landlords Don’t Have to Control Security Deposits

The UK saw a dramatic change in landlord behavior once security deposits were put into the hands of a third party.

A street in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
COVID

How Santa Fe Prevented Evictions with Easy Access to Rent Relief

Last year, tenant advocacy groups convinced the city of Santa Fe, New Mexico, to give cash quickly to residents at risk of eviction. As federal rent relief money trickles out, what can other areas learn from Santa Fe’s program?

evictions: image of house keys and a tag that says "evicted"
COVID

Moratorium Extended: Millions at Risk of Eviction, Billions in Rental Assistance Undelivered

The CDC issued a new eviction moratorium through Oct. 3. Will it be enough time for states to distribute unpaid rental assistance? And how did the 2020 eviction predictions pan out?

Housing

Security Deposits Are a Barrier to Affordable Housing. What Can Be Done?

There are many new approaches to the security deposit problem—some have been lauded by affordable housing advocates, and others have been met with skepticism and mistrust—often with good reason. Here’s a look at a few commercial, charitable, and legislative solutions being explored.

Baltimore city
Housing

Tenant Advocates Win as Security Deposit Bill Is Vetoed in Baltimore

Baltimore’s mayor vetoed a “Renter’s Choice” law after housing advocates warned of the predatory potential of selling deposit alternatives to struggling tenants.