Supplemental Resources
Session 5 Resources
Organizing out of a Housing Crisis
As rent and housing prices rise astronomically, we are witnessing higher rates of homelessness, gentrification, and further divisions between tenant and landlord classes. So, what can we do? Let’s talk about how we can confront the speculative real estate market with democratic systems like housing coops and community land trusts, and how tenant organizing leverages collective power to fight this unjust system.
Learning Outcomes
- Real life examples of tenant organizing successes in Montreal, and ways to get involved/exercise power as a member of the tenant class
- An understanding of the alternatives to the speculative real estate market, and what makes them viable and sustainable compared to what currently exists
Read
The Age of Insecurity (Astra Taylor)
Explains how the privatization of common land (enclosure) created the foundational landlord-tenant relationship, establishing a system of dependency and paving the way for modern economic insecurity.
Explore
Centraide of Greater Montreal: Housing Section
A vital source of Montreal-specific data on the affordability crisis, its impact on vulnerable populations, and the need for community-based solutions.
Watch
Does Canada Need a Tenant Uprising? Interview with Ricardo Tranjan
A discussion with the author of The Tenant Class on tenant organizing in Canada.
Watch
Tenants Rise Up - Interview with Tracy Rosenthal
The Majority Report's interview with the author of Abolish Rent.
Listen
99% Invisible: "Immobile Homes"
Uncovers the reality of mobile home park tenants fighting investment firms by forming co-ops and using the CLT model.
Watch
The Non-capitalist Solution to the Housing Crisis
A discussion on decommodified housing solutions like co-ops and community land trusts.
Read
Mutual Aid, the Commons, and the Revolutionary Abolition of Capitalism
Explores the difference between mutual aid and charity, and how building the commons is a revolutionary act against capitalism.
Read
TIESS: The Different Types of Trusts (Legal Guide - FR)
A crucial resource for understanding the legal mechanics of a Fiducie d'utilité sociale under Quebec's Civil Code.
Read
CNCLT: Roadmap for Starting a Community Land Trust
A comprehensive, practical toolkit for groups embarking on creating a CLT.
Explore
CNCLT: Map of Community Land Trusts in Canada
Visually demonstrates the growth of the CLT movement across Canada.
Watch
The Non-capitalist Solution to the Housing Crisis
About Here looks at holistic solutions to thehousing crisis in Vancouver
Watch
This is Parkdale
Documents the 2017 rent strikes in Toronto, a landmark tenant organizing victory.
Read
Landlord cancels rent increase after tenant protest (SLAM Montreal)
A short article on a direct action win by the Montreal tenant union SLAM.
Watch
March on the Boss, March on the Landlord - SLAM Montreal
Covers a direct action where tenants of the corporate landlord COGIR marched on the company's offices.
Watch
You Cannot Evict a Movement: Tenant Fights That Catalyze, Mobilize, and Win
A panel discussion on successful tenant organizing strategies.
Explore
SLAM-MATU
A militant tenant union in Montreal that uses direct action, protests, and political organizing to fight against renovictions, unjust evictions, and rent hikes. They work to build tenant power, challenge predatory landlords, and advocate for housing as a human right. Their work provides a powerful model of grassroots, confrontational organizing to achieve concrete wins for tenants.
Explore
CNCLT (Canadian Network of Community Land Trusts)
This organization supports the growth of community land trusts with the primary purpose of acquiring, developing and stewarding permanently affordable housing, land and other assets that contribute to a thriving community.
Explore
La Communauté Milton-Parc
A unique collective co-ownership syndicate. This neighbourhood became a coop after the strong, combative, and wildly successful organizing of the local residents against a large developer readying to evict everyone from their homes. It has since become the largest coop in North America. Despite its size, the Milton Park Coops are known for its democratic success due to it being a series of smaller coops and not-for-profits within a larger coop.
Explore
Brique par Brique
A nonprofit organization based in Parc Extension, they are building social housing while development community connection through art, culture, and events.
Explore
CQHC - Confédération québécoise des coopératives d'habitation
A federation of housing coops in quebec. This is where you would go if you are looking to start or join a coop.
Explore
FHCQ - Federation de l’habitation cooperative du Quebec
A federation of housing coops in Quebec. This is where you would go if you are looking to start or join a coop.
Explore
CMHC: How to start a Housing Co-operative Guide
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation provides the expert information and advice you need to set up and run co-operative housing in Canada!
Book Rec
The Tenant Class (Ricardo Tranjan)
A political analysis of tenantism as a class identity and experience under capitalism.
Book Rec
Abolish Rent (Tracy Rosenthal)
A polemic and organizing manifesto arguing for the decommodification of housing.
Contact:
Hannah Ostiguy Hopp
programs@solidarityeconomy.ca