12/03/09
This Holiday Season Please Invest in the Tenants Union
Help Build the Movement for Tenants Rights: Join the Tenants Union!
Washington State tenants have won important legal protections, but these rights don't go far enough. Help build the movement to protect and expand tenants rights and make the promise of safe, healthy, affordable housing a reality: 
Dear Friends of the Tenants Union,
I am writing at the close of a very eventful year to say Thank You for your moral and financial support this past spring and summer. Your resolve in the face of crisis was truly a defining moment in the 32 year history of the Tenants Union. Your resolve was also the critical turning point in a difficult period that threatened to close our doors for good. While we did see significant reductions in our programs and organizational capacity, I am happy to say, thanks to you (and contrary to some reports), that we are very much alive.
I would also like to convey a second message to you: It’s time to rebuild the Tenants Union. It’s time to establish a stronger, more sustainable organization. And, it’s time to move past the cycle of crisis that seems to creep up on us every 5 or so year, despite all of the good work we are doing in the community.
What does rebuilding mean? First, our foundational tenant counseling — the hotline, walk in service and workshops – will continue to serve thousands of low income tenants in the coming year. In 2009 the TU’s tenant counseling helped over 2,000 low income tenants to learn their rights on security deposits and apartment maintenance, as well as threats of eviction, harassment and false information given by landlords. In 2010, the TU will continue to provide this essential service throughout the community.
Second, at our Annual Membership Meeting in October we began a deeper conversation on the most effective way to serve tenants (especially in rebuilding our community organizing), the best way to expand and sustain a grassroots membership organization, and the kinds of partnerships that could enhance our own efforts and contribute to a healthy TU. Our goal is to rebuild the Tenants Union in a deliberate and strategic way. Our goal is to reemerge as a stronger voice and resource for tenants who want to take action against housing injustices. And our goal is to ensure that we do not relive the kind of crisis we experienced this year.
What do we need from you? First, we need your voice. This conversation will continue into the spring of next year. Throughout the coming months we will ask you to help us wrestle with an array of difficult questions and to help us establish a clear and thoughtful vision and direction for Tenants Union. You can find out more information on the State and Direction of the Tenants Union, and our strategic process at on this webiste. Please contribute your thoughts, your energy and your own vision to this vital discussion.
Second, I ask you to invest in the future of the Tenants Union. Six months ago we asked you to help us keep the doors open. Now I ask you to recall the great victories for housing justice that the TU achieved over the years, and to envision an even stronger Tenants Union in the years to come. And then, please take a moment to invest in this vision and this future for the Tenants Union. To make a donation to the TU, you can return the enclosed envelop or make a one-time or monthly donation online. And thank you for your invaluable support. Please remember that your voice is the voice of housing justice. And your resolve and commitment are at the heart of the Tenants Union.
Best Wishes,
John Lang
Executive Director
john@tenantsunion.org
The Tenants Union is a 501©(3) nonprofit organization. All contributions are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law. Tax ID: 91-0967863