News Summary
The North Carolina Tenants’ Union (NCTU) is growing its advocacy work, reaching out to renters statewide despite losing its Charlotte presence. With over 336 members, the NCTU aims to halt evictions, prevent rent gouging, and address housing safety concerns. The union’s outreach focuses on educating tenants about their rights while continuing to support communities in need, especially following recent tragedies. The future efforts include addressing the rights of undocumented tenants and advocating for long-term changes in rental regulations.
CHARLOTTE – The North Carolina Tenants’ Union (NCTU) is expanding its advocacy efforts across the state, despite losing its presence in Charlotte. Established in 2024, the NCTU has successfully grown from operating in six communities to assisting hundreds of renters statewide. It now boasts over 336 members, a significant increase from approximately 75 members just 15 months ago.
Currently, the NCTU is active in five areas: Asheville, Winston-Salem, the Durham-Raleigh region, New Bern, and Wilmington, and it is working to establish a presence in Greensboro. The union is focused on halting arbitrary evictions, preventing rent gouging, reforming code enforcement, and ensuring necessary repairs in rental units. Through its campaigns, the NCTU has successfully secured essential apartment repairs and addressed significant issues like black mold and fire safety.
Despite its statewide growth, the union’s absence in Charlotte arose when Action NC, which had previously served as its affiliate in the area, withdrew its participation due to capacity issues and a shift in focus towards corporate housing ownership campaigns. Although Action NC confirmed its departure in the fall of 2022, it continues to support Charlotte tenants through its Tenant Organizing Resource Center.
For over 15 years, Action NC has been dedicated to issues pertaining to racial, gender, and economic justice, advocating for immigrant rights, senior citizen rights, and tenant resources. While the NCTU continues operating in other parts of North Carolina, the lack of an active presence in Charlotte poses challenges in reaching a complete demographic of tenants. Union leadership acknowledges this gap, especially given the complex political and legal landscape that often favors landlords.
North Carolina’s legal frameworks frequently allow landlords to evict tenants without cause and to impose large rent increases. Tenants are prohibited from withholding rent even when faced with uninhabitable living conditions unless ordered by a judge. This challenging environment underscores the NCTU’s efforts to educate and mobilize renters through training, mentorship, and outreach initiatives, bolstering tenant solidarity. Union leaders stress that when tenants unite collectively, they are in a stronger position to advocate for their rights and effect change.
Moreover, the NCTU is addressing immediate community needs, such as organizing rent waivers and conducting wellness visits for residents impacted by Hurricane Helene. The union’s focus on fire safety has intensified following a tragic incident involving the death of a resident in a Winston-Salem building, prompting advocacy for essential safety measures like fire extinguishers and well-maintained elevators.
Looking forward, the NCTU is set to respond to cuts in essential services and aims to protect the rights of undocumented tenants, who are often some of the most vulnerable in the rental market. Membership growth and successful advocacy efforts place the NCTU in a strong position to tackle ongoing tenant issues, including unsafe living environments, escalating rental costs, and the exploitation of tenants through excessive fines and fees imposed by landlords.
Throughout its campaigns, the NCTU has made significant progress, particularly in securing necessary repairs and ensuring fair municipal housing code enforcement. Nonetheless, rectifying issues like arbitrary evictions and rent gouging necessitates long-term legal changes which the union actively pursues. The NCTU remains dedicated to empowering tenants, advocating for their safety, and addressing the evolving crisis of housing affordability in North Carolina.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Charlotte Observer
- Wikipedia: Tenant Union
- WCCB Charlotte
- Google Search: North Carolina housing laws
- NC News Line
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Eviction
- WCNC
- Google News: North Carolina Tenants Union
Author: HERE Charlotte
The CHARLOTTE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECharlotte.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Lovin' Life Music Festival, Charlotte Pride festival, and major sporting tournaments at Bank of America Stadium. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance and Foundation for the Carolinas, plus leading businesses in finance and entertainment that power the local economy such as Bank of America and NASCAR. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAsheville.com, HEREGreensboro.com, HERERaleigh.com, and HEREOBX.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
