Relentless

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Sustaining a Successful People’s Campaign to Reform an Entrenched Public Housing Bureaucracy

How does any organization based in people’s institutions approach such an entrenched bureaucracy? Answer: relentlessly, creatively, and powerfully. This case study, second in a new series published by ACTA Publications, reveals the hard work of community organizers, dedicated tenant and community leaders, public-interest and pro-bono private lawyers, judges, committed reporters, a few elected and constructive public officials, and creative independent experts and agencies in sustaining a successful long-term issue campaign. Included is a frank analysis of what worked, what didn’t work, and why it has been worth all the effort. As author Michael Stanley puts it in his Introduction: “The focus of this book is on the steps that were taken, the decisions made, and the reflections that occurred among people who, along with Metro IAF, have never thrown in the towel.”

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A Must-Read for Community Organizers and Advocates

Posted by Erin Meyer on Jul 25th 2024

If you’re an organizer, advocate, community leader, or lawyer interested in achieving institutional reform, this book — authored by the most “relentless” community organizer I’ve ever known — is a must-read!

I had the privilege of working alongside Michael Stanley, this book’s author and longtime organizer with Metro Industrial Areas Foundation, for more than 7 years on a racial justice and disability rights class action against NYCHA, the nation’s largest public housing system.

This book tells the story of the tenant leaders and organizers who, decades before the class action began and through the present day, tirelessly pursue justice and safety for public housing tenants living in hazardous conditions because of NYCHA’s failure to remediate mold, water leaks, vermin, broken elevators, and other dangers.

It’s a quick read (under 50 pages!), but it illustrates the many ways to build community power — through faith-based organizing, individual outreach and empowerment, “public action” events, cross-sector alliances, media relationships, public awareness campaigns, political activism and lobbying, data collection and analysis, and litigation.

The fight for healthy housing is far from over, but the tenant leaders and organizers whose efforts are documented in this book refuse to throw in the towel. They continue to advocate that NYCHA — dysfunctional at best and corrupt at worst — can be improved and held accountable.

Their story is an inspiring and compelling case study for anyone striving to reform entrenched bureaucracies and systems of oppression.