Struggles of a grassroots tenants' association, 1975-1995.
Item
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Title
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Struggles of a grassroots tenants' association, 1975-1995.
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Identifier
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AAI9605598
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identifier
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9605598
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Creator
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Graham, Pat Ethelyn.
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Contributor
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Adviser: Charles Winick
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Date
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1995
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Language
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English
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Publisher
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City University of New York.
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Subject
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Sociology, General
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Abstract
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This is a case study of what happens when a grassroots organization challenges some part of the system by institutional or noninstitutional means. The organization is a tenants' association (TA) of which I have been a participant-observer since 1975. This TA was organized in 1975 in a seven building development on the Upper West Side of Manhattan called Park West Village to fight a substantial rent increase demanded by the landlord, Harry Helmsley. The TA was set up as a permanent organization. The rent increase was defeated. A Warranty of Habitability case was fought and won on another issue. (This was the first case filed under this law.).;In 1984 condominium conversion was initiated by the landlord. The TA fought against this and lost. Four of the seven buildings have been converted under a non-eviction plan.;Theoretically, the political process model set forth by Doug McAdam was used in this analysis. This model is an outgrowth of the resource mobilization model used by some researchers to examine grassroots social movements.;Background on rent control laws and the agencies that administer them is given. The condominium conversion that was so popular in the 1970s and 1980s is discussed. The TA, itself and its Executive Board is described. The role and future of such grassroots organizations is examined.
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Type
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dissertation
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Source
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PQT Legacy CUNY.xlsx
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degree
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Ph.D.
