About Us

BSTA is a tenant union based in Chicago fighting to improve the rights and conditions of tenants across the city and its surrounding areas. We believe that safe and secure housing is a human right, not a financial instrument to be exploited by greedy landlords for profit.

Established in 2024, BSTA’s roots lie in a building of longstanding tenants in Logan Square whose homes were sold to a corporate investor that same year. The tenants organized and stood against their new landlord’s goal of displacing them for profit. In 2025, the group launched the first sustained rent strike in Chicago since the 1980s.

When tenants unite against landlord tyranny, we win.

BSTA is now open for admission to any tenant across Chicagoland.

What started as a building-level association has since expanded to a regional tenant union that supports, educates, and organizes tenants against landlord oppression.

Why should I join BSTA?

Guidance and Support

Stand up to mistreatment and negligence from your landlord with the full weight of a city-wide tenant union. 

Education

Learn more about your rights as a tenant, the current housing crisis, and your role in building resilient tenant power.

Fight for Tenant Rights

Help make lasting changes for tenants across the city. Join in on organizing, actions, and strategy to improve and influence political policies.

Join BSTA Today

FAQ

  • Any tenant in Chicagoland can become a member. We define a tenant as anyone who does not own their housing, including renters, the incarcerated, and the unhoused. Simply click the join link and fill out our membership form!

  • BSTA is a self-governing organization funded by dues-paying members. We encourage all members to attend BSTA meetings and to join in on tenant and union-related discussions. Get to know your neighbors and comrades supporting communities across the city and fighting for tenant rights.

    Upon joining BSTA, members will receive a welcome email, an invitation to the BSTA WhatsApp, and a full schedule of upcoming meetings and events.

    • Assistance in organizing your building and communicating with your neighbors.

    • Participation in BSTA meetings and discussions. You will have the ability to vote on initiatives, decision-making, strategy, and policy. As a member, you will have a direct role in shaping BSTA.

    • Union support and consultation on concerns regarding your landlord, building manager, or experience as a tenant.

    • Invitations to internal events, be the first to know about organizing opportunities, and community events within BSTA.

    • Learn more about the tenant movement. Help influence the tenant narrative and support the fight for tenant power and rights.

    • Access to the official BSTA WhatsApp group. Chat with other BSTA members.

  • Absolutely! We welcome support from allies wishing to show solidarity and aid in the fight, whether you are a homeowner or a comrade outside of our membership area. 

    The best way to support us is through a donation. We encourage recurring donations to help us fund the union’s actions, events and materials needed to keep us functioning. You may also make a one-time donation if you prefer. 

    You can also sign up for our mailing list to stay up to date on press releases, actions, events and education opportunities. Joining us in person at these events helps us to build community, and advance the tenant movement. 

  • Reach out to us using the form linked here, and we will reach out to you to answer any outstanding questions and chat about becoming a member of BSTA