Founded in 1973 as the Jamaica Plain Tenants Action Group, for over 40 years City Life/Vida Urbana has responded to the needs of Boston’s poor and working people. In recent years, the advocacy group has focused on halting housing displacement through eviction defense. Learn from a representative of this local group about the organization’s history and current strategies to ensure housing for Bostonians of all income levels.
Lisa Owens is an educator and community builder. A long time Boston resident, she has supported a number of local grassroots social justice organizations in a variety of capacities, including: executive director, board member, donor, and volunteer. She is currently the Executive Director at City Life Vida Urbana, which is a national leader in the anti displacement movement. Previously an adjunct faculty member at area colleges, she has taught courses on structural racism and US social welfare policy, participatory action research, designing community projects, and nonprofit management and leadership.