- More than 1,000 tenants living in Capital Realty Group-owned properties are organizing a multi-state tenant union campaign to push for collective bargaining rights.
- The Tenant Union Federation is aiming to negotiate across the landlord’s entire portfolio — a first-of-its-kind effort in US affordable housing.
- Initial organizing successes have already been announced in cities including Kansas City, Detroit, New Haven, and Louisville.
A New Approach to Tenant Organizing
According to Bloomberg, tenants across dozens of federally subsidized affordable housing properties are banding together to collectively negotiate with Capital Realty Group, one of the country’s largest private equity owners of low-income housing.
Organized by the Tenant Union Federation, the campaign targets neglected maintenance issues — mold, pests, leaks, and fire safety — not just at one site, but across the company’s nearly 22,000-unit national portfolio.
The effort is a bid to introduce sectoral bargaining to the rental housing space, similar to movements seen among domestic workers and gig economy drivers.
About the Landlord
Based in Spring Valley, NY, Capital Realty Group owns 172 affordable housing projects in 28 states. Over 19,000 of its units receive federal subsidies, with rents capped in exchange. The company was ranked #12 on Affordable Housing Finance’s 2024 list of top owners and #5 in new acquisitions.
Despite its national footprint, Capital Realty Group has not responded publicly to the unionization effort. However, organizers said the company briefly engaged in talks in August before communication stopped following union wins in new cities.
On-the-Ground Wins
Tenants have already formed majority unions at properties in:
- Kansas City, MO
- New Haven, CT
- Detroit, MI
- Louisville, KY
Complaints from residents include unresolved maintenance, unsafe conditions, and slow repairs. In one Kansas City complex, fire extinguishers were allegedly zip-tied shut.
The tenants’ demands include a standard maintenance schedule, property-specific repairs, non-retaliation pledges, and recognition of newly formed unions.
Legal and Industry Implications
Experts say the campaign’s success will likely hinge on state laws. In places like Missouri or Florida, landlords can evict tenants with little notice and few restrictions. That variability complicates organizing but also underscores the need for a nationwide strategy.
The effort reflects an evolution in tenant organizing as landlords grow larger and consolidate portfolios. Legal scholars note this cross-portfolio strategy is a response to the increased financialization of rental housing.
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Why It Matters
The Tenant Union Federation’s organizing marks a shift from building-by-building efforts to a more systemic approach. By targeting one of the top affordable housing owners, tenants hope to set a national precedent.
What’s Next
The union is pushing for a collective bargaining agreement covering the full Capital Realty Group portfolio. Their strategy was born out of earlier failed attempts to enact federal tenant protections through the FHFA during the Biden administration.
“What we did succeed in was building a methodology that works,” Raghuveer said.
With tenant movements gaining political traction and housing affordability becoming a populist issue, organizers believe national-level tenant power could soon become a standard — especially as more large landlords consolidate control of affordable housing.
