Confronting the Housing Crisis Through Class Struggle

Whereas:

  • Elections, while important, are only one tactic for building a socialist party, and electoral action will only be successful if it’s tied to a working-class movement;

  • RI DSA currently lacks deep connections to most of the working class, and we have few experienced working-class organizers in our chapter;

  • The best way for socialists to prove our ideas and win leadership of the working class is not by acting on behalf of workers through charity, advocacy, or legislation — but rather, by engaging in class struggle, where workers learn how to fight collectively against the capitalist class;

  • While the labor movement is the most strategically essential terrain to organize workers for direct action, mass movements beyond labor (such as the fight against ICE) are also significant sites of class struggle; 

  • RI DSA’s past attempts to launch DSA-run issue campaigns have been mostly unsuccessful at recruiting new working-class members or building movements, suggesting that engagement with spaces wider than DSA may be necessary;

  • The Providence Organization of Workers and Renters is planning to convene a neighborhood renters’ assembly, which will likely draw the participation of various revolutionary socialists, the broader Providence General Assembly, and some working-class people angry about high rents;

  • The Providence City Council’s rent stabilization legislation does not decrease existing rents and, with its carveouts for landlords, may only apply to less than half of the tenants in the city;

  • Providence is one of the least affordable places to live in the country, and housing is likely to remain a salient issue for the working class;

Be it resolved:

  • RI DSA reaffirms that class struggle is necessary to build a socialist party, and as socialists, we pursue direct action by the working class (protests, strikes, etc.) as our method to win both short-term reforms and revolution.

  • RI DSA will join the Providence Organization of Workers and Renters in convening a neighborhood renters’ assembly in Providence in 2026. We will participate by:

    • Sending at least two liaisons, appointed by the Executive Committee, to help coordinate the assembly.

    • Turning out RI DSA members to the initial gatherings of the assembly this fall.

  • Within the assembly, RI DSA will raise our existing demands for a rent freeze and publicly owned housing.

  • RI DSA members participating in the assembly will assess whether the chapter should create a new committee to coordinate our activities within the assembly, and if so, design a more detailed work plan. 

  • As part of any plan, RI DSA will work with other organizers of the assembly to specifically engage working-class (non-activist, non-professional) constituencies, and assess whether these efforts are successful.

  • The Political Education Committee will provide literature and educational events for assembly participants to learn about RI DSA and our program for socialism and class independence.

  • Liaisons are required to present updates to GBM every 3 months

Impact Statement: Confronting the Housing Crisis Through Class Struggle

Criteria

Expiration: This resolution will be considered void if not implemented within six months of passage.

Pass criteria: Within six months, two liaisons to the renters’ assembly should be assigned by ExComm, a piece of RI DSA literature written or chosen by the Political Education Committee should be brought to at  least one renters’ assembly, and liaisons will introduce a proposal for more investment by RI DSA in the project and a vote to adopt the proposal will be held at GBM.

Fail criteria: If, more than six months after this resolution passes, none of the above pass criteria have been completed, this resolution is void.

Guidance

To be implemented or delegated by: Chapter Co-chairs and assigned liaisons, Political Education Committee

Plan: 

  • Within a month of adoption: Executive Committee votes to assign liaisons.

  • Within six months: Liaisons attend renters’ assembly planning meetings and public events; Political Education Committee provides DSA literature.

Anticipated labor: 

  • At least one liaison should aim to be at each renters’ assembly planning meeting and public event

    • 1 hour per week

  • Political Education Committee should provide a piece of RI DSA literature

    • 1 to 5 hours, within six months

Total Cost:

Up to $100 printing literature