Renter/Tenant organizing goes beyond just one person complaining to the landlord about repairs. In my novel, Mystery of Quercus Gardens, based on my own experience, my character, Beth, is the daring tenant who takes the lead in finding a solution to the problems that the renters are having.
First, she researches on the internet for any resources that already exist in her state. In most cases, renters are obligated to let the landlord know that you need repairs. But if you lose a job and can’t pay the rent, that’s a bigger problem. Bring other tenants together who live in your complex. Bring together others having trouble paying the rent. Contact any of the resource organizations that you find online to help you with legal, political and activist guidance.
Always be present for rallies, or these days, video conferences that relate to your concerns. Be active in your own defense! This crisis is not your fault. Let the “powers that be” know that you will not be pushed into homelessness because of the greed of landlords and the ineptness of policy makers. Keep up with news, put pressure on politicians. Write letters to the editors of local papers or online media. It's a lot of focus and work, but it always gives rewards!
In the meantime, if you can spare $3.99 for an ebook, have a look at my novel and learn from my experiences doing renter/tenant organizing. Click on the link below to purchase my novel as an ebook.
There are also rent relief monies available for those who are the most in need. But they have been snatched up almost immediately, sometimes by people who are less in need than they should be. Hastily put together programs often result in misuse.
Ron