The Renters' Union: A membership organization that provides legal protection & collective advocacy

The Pitch

Why is it needed?

• America faces a housing crisis of unprecedented scale - 44 million renter households are caught in a system that systematically disadvantages them while homeowners leverage collective power through associations and lobbying groups
• Despite valiant efforts by existing advocacy organizations, the scale and sustainability needed for transformative change has remained elusive - we need a structure that can operate at national scale with financial independence
• Renters deserve an organization that delivers immediate material benefits while simultaneously building the political capital necessary to reshape housing policy toward greater equity and accessibility

Who is it for?

• Strategic implementation begins with carefully selected pilot markets where existing tenant rights infrastructure provides fertile ground for rapid adoption and demonstrable success stories
• With an initial target of 1,000 members in year one, we establish proof of concept while developing the operational systems needed for efficient multi-market expansion
• Members join a dual-purpose organization that both improves their immediate housing situation and connects them to a growing national movement capable of shifting the balance of power in housing policy for generations to come

How might it work?

• The Renters' Union represents a paradigm shift in housing advocacy through a sophisticated dual approach to sustainability and impact:
• An accessible $10 monthly membership provides immediate tangible value through prepaid legal services, group purchasing power, and professional support during landlord negotiations - creating member loyalty through delivered value
• Strategic class action litigation targets systemic abuses, simultaneously generating financial sustainability while establishing legal precedents that protect millions of renters beyond our membership
• This 'functional organizing' model bridges the gap between mutual aid and political advocacy, creating a financially self-sustaining entity that can influence policy without dependence on external funding cycles