Texas Alliance of HUD Tenants
Photo: Alina Simone
Since 1996, the Texas Alliance of HUD Tenants (TAHT) has fought to improve and preserve subsidized housing statewide. Through TAHT, tenant activists have successfully negotiated new policies with HUD designed to increase emphasis on tenant feedback and owner accountability.
Alice Basey, former President and current board member of the Texas Alliance of HUD Tenants.
When I first came to Lake June Village the complex was a slum. It was like moving into a place where there was no hope. I was devastated, but I started learning that we could have some changes made. I was invited to go to the National Alliance of HUD Tenants conference. It was so inspiring to see people all over the country going through the same thing - just asking for a decent place to live. We organized our tenant association and started from there.

We found out about a Drug Elimination Grant that could be used for repairs and to create educational programs. We helped the owner apply and a year later we were awarded $125,000.
" It was like moving into a place where there was no hope."
Everything worked. The tenants are motivated now. The gangs are completely gone. We have our fence, a new playground and a computer learning center.

I have to say that this HUD complex is probably one in a million that has a good relationship with management. Now it wasn’t like that in the beginning, but we worked together until we got there and this could happen in every complex.
"The tenants are motivated now. The gangs are completely gone."
Photo: Alina Simone
Woodland City Tenants Alliance
Woodland City Alliance of Tenants struggled for 5 years to convince their landlord to address the worsening condition of the property, but it wasn’t until HUD took over in 1999 that many of their concerns were met.
“We started having trouble of all kinds, the apartments needed repairs, the lawn and the property needed work. We had promises that improvements were going to be made many, many times. Now we have a manager that really shows concern. Things that were brought up at the last meeting - she got right on it. People feel safer here now. They come outside and watch their kids play. They feel more secure because there are lights at night now.”
Photo: W.C.T.A
Encouraged by the change, the tenants are now seeking a larger role. With help from Texas Tenants Union, they have partnered with a local non profit and are negotiating with HUD to purchase the property. Should they succeed the tenants will become important stakeholders, holding 3 out of 7 seats on a management board.
(left) Tenants describe former conditions at Woodland City as“shameful.”