TENANT ORGANIZING
Overview:
Housing is a fundamental human right, it is essential. Tenants face rising rents, building neglect, and landlord harassment, often without knowing their rights or how to fight back. Woodside on the Move’s Tenant Organizing Program exists to protect affordable housing and empower tenants to stand up for themselves and their neighbors.
We believe that every tenant deserves safe, dignified housing, and that real change comes when tenants organize collectively. When tenants know their rights and stand together, they can secure repairs, stop harassment, and even influence citywide housing reform.
What We Offer:
- Our team works side by side with residents to form Tenant Association
- Guide you through Housing Court, file complaints to HPD.
- Gain knowledge in tenants rights and legal proceedings at Know Your Rights workshops and legal clinics with community partners.
- Advocate for policy change that preserves affordability and prevents displacement
Advocacy initiatives:
- Good Cause Eviction
- Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act
- Rent Assistance
- Statewide Right To Counsel
- Housing Access Voucher Program
- RGB / ETPA Reforms
- Social Housing
- Right to Counsel
- Abolish the NYC Tax Lien Sale
- Our City, Our Vote Coalition
- New York For All Campaigns
Coalitions We’re Part Of:
- Stabilizing NYC (SNYC)
- Housing Justice 4 All
- Right to Counsel NYC
- APA Voice
- Redistricting Taskforce
- Tenants Not Tourists
- Coalition for Asian American Children + Families
- United for Small Business NYC
- Justice Roadmap
- NYC Community Land Initiative
Contact Us:
Nolver Avila (Classy)
Housing Organizer
718-476-8449 | navila@woodsideonthemove.org
Valeria Andrango
Housing Organizer
929-757-8329 | vandrango@woodsideonthemove.org
Testimonials
“This is my third time working with WOTM, and their organizers. The first time I came was to address a wrong rent increase, the second time was repair issues. I was educated on how to tackle these issues. Yes, I recommend!”
S.T., Tenant Organizing Participant
FAQ's
Tenant organizing brings neighbors together to address shared housing concerns, advocate for their rights, and improve building conditions through collective action. A strong tenant association can compel landlords to provide heat, hot water, and necessary repairs. Organized tenants gain leverage to negotiate, file complaints with city or state housing agencies, seek support from elected officials, pursue legal action, or even initiate a rent strike if needed.
WOTM has partnered with Queens Legal Service (QLS) and Communities Resist’s housing attorneys to provide in-person legal consultation.
No. Tenants have the legal right to come together, hold meetings, and advocate for fair living conditions.
Common issues include repairs, pests, safety concerns, rent increases, building violations, heat and hot water, and communication with landlords.
Begin by talking to neighbors, gathering contact information, identifying shared concerns, and holding a first meeting. Our team can guide you through each step.
