General The Harbor Rat Report

Seize The City: A Call to Action for Affordable Housing in Aberdeen

2024/11/12
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Aberdeen, WA is addressing its problem of 41 vacant buildings downtown with a new program. The program registers the buildings and works with owners to encourage repairs, demolition, or repurposing. Some successes include a building converted into apartments and plans to renovate the Thunderbird Motel. Challenges include legal limitations on fining owners and motivating them to take action. The city aims to revitalize the area by bringing in new businesses and creating a more attractive community space.
Aberdeen, WA is facing a $3 million budget deficit. To address this, the city council is considering a tax increase on cable television services and utilities like water, stormwater, and sewer. This increase would generate an estimated $968,300 for the general fund. While some council members support the tax hike as a necessary measure, others express concerns about its impact on residents, especially those on fixed incomes. The council is also exploring potential alternatives and programs to mitigate the financial burden on low-income households.

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Seize the City-

A Call to Action for Affordable Housing in Aberdeen

Aberdeen, Washington, like many cities across the nation, is grappling with a dual crisis: a looming budget deficit and a blight of vacant buildings. While the city council debates tax increases to address the budget shortfall, the issue of vacant properties remains largely unaddressed.

A City in Decline

The city’s vacant buildings, many of which are owned by absentee landlords oike Terry Emmert, are a blight on the community.The blight of vacant buildings in Aberdeen is a stark symptom of capitalist dysfunction. These structures sit idle as potential for community and housing is squandered. This is a direct result of a system that prioritizes profit over people. Landlords, driven by greed, hoard property, leaving it to decay rather than investing in its upkeep or development. This not only harms the community aesthetically but also creates safety hazards and contributes to a decline in property values.

The very existence of vacant buildings in a society with housing shortages is a moral outrage. It highlights the absurdity of a system where basic human needs like shelter are subordinated to the pursuit of profit. These buildings, once filled with life and purpose, now stand as symbols of capitalist neglect and the power imbalances inherent in our economic system.

Direct Action and Community Control

To address this systemic issue, it is imperative that the community takes matters into its own hands. Direct action, such as squatting, offers a powerful strategy to reclaim these vacant buildings and repurpose them for the benefit of the community. By occupying and transforming these properties, communities can create much-needed affordable housing, community centers, and other essential spaces.

Squatting is a form of direct action that challenges the capitalist notion of private property. It asserts that housing is a human right, not a commodity to be bought and sold. By taking control of vacant buildings, communities can bypass the exploitative practices of landlords and developers, creating spaces that truly serve the needs of the people. More on this later…

This act of reclamation is not merely a protest against the status quo; it is a proactive step towards building a more just and equitable society. By seizing the means of housing, communities can create a world where everyone has access to safe, affordable, and dignified housing.

Seize the Means of Housing: A Community Land Trust Proposal for Aberdeen

Community Land Trusts: A Sustainable Solution

To ensure the long-term viability of these reclaimed spaces, the formation of Community Land Trusts (CLTs) is essential. CLTs are nonprofit organizations that acquire land and develop affordable housing, ensuring that the land remains permanently affordable. By establishing a CLT, the community can collectively own and manage these properties, preventing their future sale or development for profit

What is a Community Land Trust?

A CLT is a nonprofit organization that purchases land and develops affordable housing. While residents own their homes, the land itself remains under the ownership of the CLT. This model ensures that housing remains affordable in perpetuity, preventing gentrification and displacement.

How Can CLTs Address Aberdeen’s Housing Crisis?

Community Land Trusts (CLTs) are a powerful tool for community-led development and affordable housing. By acquiring land and developing housing, CLTs ensure that the land remains permanently affordable, preventing gentrification and displacement. When a home is sold within a CLT, the land is retained by the trust, and the new homeowner purchases the home itself. This ensures that housing remains affordable for future generations.

By establishing a CLT, the community gains collective ownership and control over the land and housing within its boundaries. This empowers residents to make decisions about the development and use of their neighborhood, ensuring that it meets their needs and priorities. CLTs can also provide support services to residents, such as homeownership counseling, financial literacy training, and community development programs.

In the context of Aberdeen, a CLT could acquire reclaimed or vacant buildings and develop them into affordable housing, community centers, or other essential facilities. By doing so, the CLT can help revitalize the community, create jobs, and improve the quality of life for residents.

By leveraging CLTs, Aberdeen can take control of its housing future. Here’s how:

  1. Identify Vacant and Delinquent Properties:
    • Conduct a comprehensive survey of vacant and underutilized properties.
    • Prioritize properties with the greatest potential for affordable housing development.
  2. Establish a Community Land Trust:
    • Create a local CLT with a board composed of community members, housing advocates, and local government officials.
    • Develop a clear mission and vision for the CLT, focusing on affordability and community empowerment.
  3. Acquire Land:
    • Work with the city to identify strategies for acquiring vacant properties, such as:
      • Purchasing properties at a discount from willing sellers.
      • Utilizing eminent domain to acquire properties in the public interest.
      • Collaborating with lenders and investors to secure financing for land acquisition.
  4. Develop Affordable Housing:
    • Partner with local builders and contractors to develop a variety of housing options, including single-family homes, multi-family units, and senior housing.
    • Prioritize energy-efficient and sustainable building practices.
    • Implement strict affordability covenants to ensure that housing remains affordable for low-income residents.

A Call to Action

To make this vision a reality, we must take direct action:

  1. Organize Community Meetings:
    • Host public meetings to discuss the housing crisis and the potential of CLTs.
    • Educate community members about the benefits of CLTs and how they can get involved.
  2. Lobby Elected Officials:
    • Demand that city officials prioritize affordable housing and support the development of CLTs.
    • Advocate for policies that incentivize the creation of affordable housing, such as tax breaks and zoning reforms.
  3. Mobilize Community Support:
    • Build a strong grassroots movement to pressure city officials and developers to prioritize affordable housing.
    • Organize protests, rallies, and letter-writing campaigns to raise awareness.

How to Organize a Squatting Action

1. Identify Target Buildings:

  • Research vacant buildings in your area. Look for properties that have been abandoned for extended periods.
  • Consider buildings that are structurally sound and have potential for conversion into housing or community spaces.

2. Assemble a Team:

  • Recruit individuals who are passionate about housing justice and willing to take risks.
  • Assign roles, such as scouting, security, and media outreach.

3. Develop a Strategy:

  • Create a detailed plan for the occupation, including the date, time, and specific actions to be taken.
  • Consider potential legal risks and develop strategies to mitigate them.

4. Secure Supplies:

  • Gather essential supplies like food, water, blankets, tools, and first-aid kits.
  • Prepare for potential disruptions, such as power outages or water shortages.

5. Coordinate the Occupation:

  • Choose a suitable time and day for the occupation.
  • Coordinate entry and secure the building.
  • Establish a system for managing the space, including cleaning, security, and conflict resolution.

6. Build Community Support:

  • Reach out to local organizations, community groups, and media outlets to garner support.
  • Organize public events and rallies to raise awareness about the issue of housing affordability and the need for direct action.

7. Legal Considerations:

  • While squatting can be a powerful tool, it’s important to be aware of the legal risks involved.
  • Consult with legal experts to understand the specific laws in your jurisdiction and to develop strategies to minimize legal risks.

8. Long-Term Planning:

  • Develop a long-term plan for the occupied building, including its future use and governance.
  • Consider forming a housing cooperative or community land trust to ensure the building’s continued use for affordable housing.

Remember, squatting is a risky endeavor. It’s important to weigh the potential benefits against the risks and to proceed with caution.Let us not be deterred by fear or legal threats. Let us rise up and demand a world where housing is a right, not a privilege. By working together and taking collective action, communities can reclaim vacant buildings and create a more just and equitable future. Let’s not wait for permission from those who have failed us. Let’s take matters into our own hands and build a future that truly reflects our needs and aspirations. It’s time to rise up, reclaim our city, and create a world where housing is a right, not a commodity. Let’s seize the opportunity to build a community where everyone has a safe, affordable place to call home.

Further Reading:

How to Throw a Squatted Dance Party: A Step by Step Guide by Crimethinc

Exercise: What Would an Anarchist Program Look Like? by Crimthinc

Beyond Squat or Rot: Anarchist Approaches to Housing by Chuck Munson

IT’S VACANT, I’LL TAKE IT! by Homes Not Jails 3rd Edition

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