Metropolitan Tenants Organization

In 1981, a Community Congress convened to find solutions to the affordable housing crisis identified the need for an organization to represent renters. This led to the creation of MTO and a 5-year campaign to pass the landmark Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance (RTLO). Since then, MTO has remained committed to its core mission, to better tenant living conditions, preserve housing, stabilize tenancies helping prevent homelessness, improve communication between landlords and tenants, and organize tenants so they can advocate for safe, decent, affordable housing and live in stable communities.

MTO has 3 programs: Tenants Rights Hotline: MTO’s hotline & and our web application SquaredAwayChicago provides renters with resources needed to protect their housing rights. Affordable Housing Preservation Program (AHPP): Preserving affordable rental housing and stabilizing tenants in their neighborhoods is the goal of AHPP. The program works with tenants at market rate and in subsidized housing. Healthy Homes Program (HHP): HHP works in conjunction with the Hotline and AHPP to help educate tenants about hidden & visible health hazards in the home, and how to prevent exposure to them, and connects tenants with vital resources to help improve living conditions.