Subject Files, 1971-1992, 1995, 1999-2001, 1971-1992, 1995, 1999-2001

This series contains a collection of subject files concerning topics important to the UTA. The Affordable Housing subject file includes information regarding the funding and availability of affordable housing in Albany. It has minutes and agendas from the meetings of the Affordable Housing Coalition and other housing organizations, correspondence concerning the need for funding of affordable housing, clippings and press releases on low-income housing, newsletters on housing issues and the Ad Hoc Committee on Housing Statement on Housing and Action Plan.

The Bank Challenge subject file includes information regarding the UTA's protest against the discriminatory nature of loan policies at NORSTAR, Fleet Bank, Key Bank and Chase/Chemical. This series includes correspondence concerning the protest against these banks and in support of amending

The Effective Code Enforcement subject file has the UTA's campaign for improved housing code enforcement in Albany County. This subject file contains correspondence in support of strengthening Albany County's housing code, the inspection reports of properties found to be in violation of the housing code, lists of the Coalition for Effective Code Enforcements Code Violators of the Week, Month and Year, the legislation regulating Albany County's housing code, the minutes and agendas from the meetings of the Coalition for Effective Code Enforcement, publications on Albany County's housing code, strategies on effective code enforcement and press releases and news clippings on effective code enforcement.

The Homesteading subject file contains information concerning the practice of homesteading in Albany. Homesteading allows groups of tenants to purchase foreclosed or tax-delinquent buildings at an affordable rate provided that they perform the necessary renovations to correct any existing code violations. This subject file includes explanations of the legislation regulating homesteading in Albany, lists of interested people, correspondence explaining the concept of homesteading, notes from the meetings concerning the creation of a homesteading program in Albany and news clippings from local papers documenting the process of establishing this program.

The Public Housing Elections subject file documents the 1982 election of Tenant Commissioners. This series includes the regulations for the election of tenant commissioners, rules of conduct during the elections, notes from brainstorming sessions as to what needs to be done, lists of voting sites, the ballots for the candidates and the election results.

The Rent Control subject file includes documents covering the UTA's campaign to pass rent control legislation in Albany County. This subject file contains correspondence in support of rent control, the minutes and agendas from the meetings of the Coalition for Fair Rents, pamphlets and facts sheets on rent control, press releases, newsletters and news clippings on rent control and rent control legislation.

The Tenants' Advice and Rights subject file contains documents that inform tenants of both apartments and trailer homes of their rights. These documents provide tenants with advice on such topics as choosing an apartment, how to read a lease and when to replace appliances. It also contains a list of bills and acts that most concern those who live in apartments and trailer homes. The bulk of this subject group was created by the Coalition for Tenants' Rights and the Coalition for Mobile Home Owners and Tenants.