Public Housing Resident Organizing and Participation Toolkit

Overview

Public housing residents may want to work with a resident council to get more attentive maintenance, improved safety, clearer communication with property owners, and more responsive programs. Being involved in a resident council is the best way to partner and advocate with the housing authority for the things you care about as a resident.

Key Points

• Resident councils should regularly assess resident needs through surveys, meetings, and one-on-one conversations
• Resident councils and housing authorities can build collaborative relationships by meeting regularly, discussing ideas and issues, problem solving, and making decisions together
• Resident councils and housing authorities can partner through training, the housing authority Annual and 5-Year Plan, use of tenant participation funds, resident management corporations (RMCs), and service programs

Related Toolkit Resources

• Guide 5: Resident Advisory Boards and the Housing Authority Plan Process
• Guide 7: Resident Training and Self-Sufficiency Programs Guide
• Guide 8: Resident Management Corporationse
• Guide 9: Tenant Participation Funds
• Sample Resident Council and Housing Authority MOU