The University of North Carolina Greensboro’s Center for Housing and Community Studies, led by Bruce Rich, J.D., sponsors the Tenant Leadership Academy (TLA) to train and develop tenant organizers. Tenants are recruited from low-income apartment communities in High Point, NC. The tenant organizers participate in workshops spanning twelve weeks covering topics like tenant rights and obligations, access to resources, history of housing and spatial disparities in housing quality, development of leadership skills, and creating and implementing a tenant association.

Lorenzo Claxton, Greensboro Field Office Director, addressed the TLA Cohort to discuss HUD programs, resources, power of organizing, and call to action. Jordan Wright, TLA Program Coordinator said, “Our goal for the Tenant Leadership Academy is to teach High Point renters on their rights as a tenant, develop their communication strategies, and build upon their visioning skills so that they can lead and be a positive change in their community. We want tenants to advocate for fairer, safer, and more affordable living conditions within their communities so they can lead freer and more dignified lives. The TLA offers valuable education, connections, and resources so our program participants can strive for excellence in the places they live, work, and organize.”

Participants are paid for their participation. Graduates become members of a network of organizers who share ideas and collaborate on initiatives to improve conditions, promote collective action, and advocate on housing-related policy issues.

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