KC Tenants
Citywide Tenant Union
A tenant union is a group of tenants who have come together to use their collective power to achieve things they could not achieve as individuals.
Tenant unions can exist in many different forms: building-specific unions, neighborhood unions, or even citywide unions that fight for tenants’ rights, like KC Tenants.
Half of Kansas City residents rent their homes, making Kansas City home to about 228,000 tenants. We set out to build a 10,000-member union in 2022, and we’re damn close to achieving our goal. We currently organize with about 450 active leaders and 9,467 members (as of August 2023).
Since 2019, KC Tenants has supported tenants to unionize and win at Crestwood Apartments, Green Village Townhomes, Gabriel Tower Apartments, PB Lofts, Heart Village Mobile Homes, UMKC dorms, in apartments on North Lawn in the Northeast, New Yorker Apartments, Parvin Estates, and more. In 2021, KC Tenants organized the first neighborhood union, the Midtown Tenant Union. Since then, KC Tenants has supported the organization of an Eastside Tenant Union. Additionally, KC Tenants has won a Tenants Bill of Rights and Tenants’ Right to Counsel, policies that support tenants’ right to organize.
In 2022, KC Tenants knocked tens of thousands of doors to win $50 million for truly affordable housing. In 2023, our sibling organization KC Tenants Power elected four tenant champions to City Council.
Our citywide union is an investment in long-term infrastructure to shift the balance of power in Kansas City to favor people over profits.
MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS WITH LOCAL SOLIDARITY PARTNERS
KC Tenants has partnered with local businesses to provide benefits for our union members. Local businesses are also impacted by gentrification and displacement, and these businesses want to show solidarity to our members! Bring your KC Tenants membership card to any of the following businesses to take advantage of your benefits.
Click or tap on the links below to read more about our partners and the benefits that come with your member card.
Anchor Island Coffee
(816) 325-3130
4101 Troost Ave, Kansas City, MO 64110
10% discount for KC Tenants members with a minimum $5 purchase
Anchor Island Coffee is Kansas City’s first tropical coffee shop, LGBTQ+, Latino and American-owned ma-and-pop shop. We are determined to become everybody’s coffee shop. Without the neighborhood’s love, help and support, we simply would not be here today.
Artist & Craftsman Supply
229 Southwest Boulevard, Kansas City, MO 64108
10% discount for KC Tenants members. Discounts do not stack and do not apply to items on sale.
We provide a wide array of professional and beginner art and craft supplies and materials. Additionally, we carry a large assortment of toys and novelty items. We also have a gallery, which we open to local and “up-and-coming” artists year-round.
Big Mood Natural Wines
816-866-0799
2020 Baltimore Suite 102, Kansas City, MO 64108
10% off of retail items
Bringing natural wines from around the world to Kansas City! Curbside pick-up and delivery are available Monday through Saturday.
Deborah’s Caricatures
2450 Grand Blvd Suite 217, Kansas City, MO 64108
25% of any personalized color caricature for KC Tenants members
Deborah’s Art Studio is your one-stop shop for fine art portraits in various mediums as well as on-the-spot caricatures and caricatures at private or public events. We also personalize apparel such as, but not limited to: jean jackets, tennis shoes, purses, wallets, and more!
Good Dogz KC
(816) 419-4076
15% of any offered services for KC Tenants members
We are here to help you learn how to achieve clear communication with your dog! Dogs start learning as soon as they are born and continue to change their whole lives. They rapidly catch on to what behaviors deliver and which ones don’t. That means every interaction we have with our furry friends is an opportunity to learn. Sometimes finding your pet-owning groove can be a challenge. When you choose Good Dogz KC, you’re choosing to be provided with practical, long-lasting training for you and your pup.
Harvest Moon Botanica
(816) 609-2210
4107 A. Troost Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64110
5% - 10% discount on select items for KC Tenants members
We are a collective of Black and Indigenous women of color-owned businesses and together we proudly bring to the community Harvest Moon Botanica. We make a healthy lifestyle accessible to the community by providing affordable organic and handmade products.
Inner Space Yoga
2711 Troost Ave. KCMO 64109
13% off all class packages for KC Tenants Members
Inner Space - with intention, dedication, kindness, and a will to learn. We at Inner Space are dedicated to providing a peaceful space to practice, heal, learn from ancient wisdom and come together. We wish to be of service to all.
Innocence Too Transportation
501-777-2509
10% discount off all rides for KC Tenants members
We provide transportation to help those in need. Call us to schedule your next safe and relaxing ride to your destination!
Sandlot Goods
(816) 801-0502
15% off all products online with discount code “KCTENANTS”
Sandlot Goods is an American manufacturer of baseball caps, pennants, banners, tote bags, and leather goods. We proudly manufacture our products in Kansas City, MO!
Yasmeen Cafe
1447 Independence Ave Ste 117, Kansas City, MO 64106
10% discount off all purchases for KC Tenants members
Yasmeen Cafe serves the best African cuisine in Kansas City!