ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The first in a series of city-wide tenant meetings took place at Southview Towers.

The meeting was hosted by the Southview Towers Tenant Union and "Take Back the Land Rochester."

Organizers say their goal is to form a city-wide tenant union to expand and defend tenant rights throughout the city.

They plan to work with groups across the state to achieve rent stabilization and protections against unjust evictions.

Organizers say the affordable housing available in Rochester isn't actually affordable. 

"Most affordable housing, people on DSS, people on SSI, can't afford it," said Kawanais Smith, President, Southview Tenant Union. "Then you have your security deposit, so it makes it difficult for low income people actually to find apartments. That's the hard thing about it." 

Kawanais Smith says they also plan to fight for better living conditions and eventually get a bill before the state legislature.

She says the group will continue to meet on a monthly basis.