About

The California Tenants Association (CTA) is a statewide grassroots tenant union committed to defending the rights and dignity of tenants—especially those living in low-income, supportive, transitional, and affordable housing. Founded in Los Angeles in December 2023 by David Stabolito, the CTA was born out of direct lived experience, personal struggle, and the urgent need for tenant power in California’s most neglected communities.

David Stabolito, a longtime tenant leader, faced eviction himself and knows firsthand the fear, uncertainty, and injustice that comes with being pushed out of your home. There was a time he thought he wouldn’t make it. But through organizing, solidarity, and relentless determination, he prevailed—not only for himself but for an entire community of tenants who felt voiceless and abandoned. From that moment forward, he committed his life to building an association that uplifts, protects, and empowers residents who are often ignored by the system.

Today, the California Tenants Association connects tenants across Skid Row, South Central, the Central Valley, the Bay Area, and beyond—standing up to slumlords, abusive management, and government neglect. We organize tenant councils, lead rent strikes, expose housing violations, and advocate for systemic change at local and state levels.

We believe that safe, stable, and dignified housing is a human right—not a privilege. We believe in organizing from the ground up, where the people most affected lead the movement. And we believe that even in the darkest hour, tenants can rise—together—with courage, clarity, and collective strength.

The CTA is more than just an association. It is a movement of survivors, fighters, and visionaries reclaiming their homes, their rights, and their future. If you’ve ever felt like giving up, like you were alone, like no one was listening—know this: you are not alone. We’ve been there. And we’re building something stronger, together.