Tenant Organizing & Policy

We empower residents to gain control over their affordable housing and fight for their rights.

Housing Organizers for People Empowerment

UHAB supports HOPE (Housing Organizers for People Empowerment), a member-led group of tenant leaders fighting for better building conditions and tenant protections.
Housing Organizers for People Empowerment →

The Defense Fund protects tenants in housing court

UHAB’s Defense Fund flips the script on systemic injustice in housing court. We empower tenants to hold negligent landlords accountable for life-threatening housing conditions through a revolving fund. The Defense Fund helps tenants raise the Rent Impairing Violations defense in housing court, allowing tenants to wipe rent arrears and avoid eviction. The Defense Fund is not currently open to the public.
VICTORY: Brooklyn Tenant Wins Precedent-Setting Decision in Housing Court, Using Rent Impairing Violation Defense to Wipe Away Thousands in Rent and Avoid Eviction →
Tenants Will Win Quality Repairs with New Defense Fund →

Organizing tenants for cooperative homeownership

Working from UHAB’s decades of experience helping tenants gain ownership of their buildings, our organizing department works with tenant associations who are interested in the cooperative model. If you and your neighbors are interested in working towards cooperative ownership, fill out this form to get in touch with us.