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Jean Swanson: Close-up look at who runs Vancouver City Hall

An email from a landlords' group in the midst of a council meeting caused politicians to reverse their position on capping rent increases for building owners who receive public...

Jean Swanson: Let's protect SRO residents from eviction to prevent homelessness

Landlords know that they can jack up rents as much as they like when they can get a tenant to leave so there is a profit motive for evictions, and the chance of homelessness...

Jean Swanson: People’s Summit looks to identify causes, find solutions to city’s housing emergency

The situation is so desperate that tenants don’t know where else to turn, according to the only COPE member on council.

Jean Swanson: A brief moment of sanity at city hall—why my tiny amendment could have made big difference for renters

The long-time antipoverty activist is disappointed that a majority of council members capitulated when the city manager issued a warning about the potential impact of vacancy...

Jean Swanson: Tenants need vacancy control to end renovictions

Do you know that there’s a new occupation in town? I don’t know exactly what it’s called.  Maybe an “eviction enabler”.

Jean Swanson: We stopped the 4.5 percent rent increase, and this is just the beginning

A COPE council candidate says that when the public gets involved in social movements, governments start to respond.

Jean Swanson: Where are next year’s modular homes?

We should also remember that new modular housing won’t reduce homelessness if the city keeps closing low-rent housing.

Jean Swanson: We'll never get what we need unless we ask for it

The antipoverty activist (right, with Seattle democratic socialist councillor Kshama Sawant) is recycling T-shirts from last year's council by-election even though she hasn't yet...

Jean Swanson: Tinkering with the Residential Tenancy Act won’t provide housing security

In the future landlords will have to give four months' notice when they evict someone, up from two months. If landlords evict for a renovation, the old tenant has a right to rent...

Jean Swanson: Let's make 2018 the year to end poverty

One of the city's leading social justice activists describes what it's like taking the Welfare Food Challenge.