Beyond the right to stay put

Abstract:

Citizen-led remunicipalization campaigns have gained momentum globally over the past two decades, often driven by grassroots mobilization and direct democracy. A notable example is the five-year campaign by the Hillside Villa Tenants Citizen-led remunicipalization campaigns have gained momentum globally over the past two decades. A notable example is the five-year campaign by the Hillside Villa Tenants Association in Chinatown, Los Angeles. Facing severe rent increases after the expiration of a LIHTC affordability covenant in 2018, tenants pursued a novel strategy of forcing city council to remunicipalize their building through eminent domain, re-politicizing the law to prevent displacement and ensure decommodification and tenant control. Although they achieved a significant victory in May 2022 when city council voted to acquire their building, this decision was reversed two years later, with city council opting instead to pay the landlord $15 million to extend the affordability covenant. This article explores the tactics employed by the tenants, the struggle’s inflection points, and the unique challenges associated with housing remunicipalization in the ‘real estate state,’ contributing new strategic perspectives for tenants facing displacement by LIHTC or other mechanisms.

doi.org/10.54825/XVBZ3774