The YSW Tenant Union Rent Strike and the Struggle for Affordable Housing

In this inaugural episode of Spring Radio, we look at the exploitation of tenants by landlords and the struggle to fight back. 

 

We begin by looking at the Canadian housing system and how it's designed to squeeze the working class for the benefit of landlords. Next, we focus in on how one group of tenants—the York South-Weston Tenant Union—are fighting back against their greedy landlords through a rent strike. Spring Radio field reporter Benjamin Bilgen links up with organizers from the tenant union to get a look at what organizing a rent strike looks like from the ground. 

 

Thank you to the York South-Weston Tenant Union for sharing their time, space, and wisdom with us. Read the latest updates from the York South-Weston Tenant Union, and how you can help, at TenantUnion.ca.

 

This episode was recorded on the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat peoples. 

 

The episode was produced by Benjamin Bilgen, Spencer Bridgman, and Josh Frame, with original music by Benjamin Bilgen. You can read and listen to more from Spring, and find out how to join the Spring Socialist Network, at SpringMag.ca.

You can find the transcript for this episode here.