Exploring Resistance, Negotiation, and Compliance: Tenant Experiences During the Eviction Process in the Greater Toronto Area


Kevin Bonnell, University of Waterloo

This presentation explores a critical aspect of tenant experiences during the eviction process, focusing on the nuanced dynamics of compliance, negotiation, and resistance. Drawing from Dorothy Smiths institutional ethnography (IE) approach, this research contributes to the broader scholarship on the social organization of knowledge and its relevance to housing justice. In a contemporary capitalist society where housing instability and precarity are deeply historical and systemic issues, understanding the strategies employed by tenants and tenant organizations becomes essential. Through a comprehensive analysis of narratives, this presentation sheds light on the diverse ways in which individuals navigate the complex terrain of eviction, offering valuable insights into the potential for organized and everyday resistance efforts to address systemic drivers of evictions. The first objective of this presentation is to elucidate the organized and everyday resistance efforts employed by tenants facing eviction. By delving into the narratives of tenants, this research uncovers the multifaceted strategies employed to resist eviction and maintain secure housing. From organized tenant associations to individual acts of defiance, this study seeks to unveil the spectrum of resistance tactics that tenants employ. Understanding the various forms of resistance, negotiation, and compliance is crucial not only for providing tenants with tools to safeguard their housing but also for informing broader housing justice efforts. The second objective of this presentation is to examine the role of planning in learning from these resistance efforts and conceptualizing housing justice solutions that address the systemic drivers of evictions. Planning is pivotal in shaping urban landscapes and housing policies, making it a critical arena for advocating for housing justice. By analyzing how planning professionals engage with tenant resistance narratives, this research explores the potential for integrating tenant perspectives into urban planning practices. It seeks to answer questions such as how planning can be informed by tenant experiences and how it can contribute to systemic change that mitigates the root causes of eviction. The narratives presented in this presentation reflect the lived experiences of tenants who have grappled with eviction threats, legal processes, and housing insecurity. They reveal the complex interplay between tenants, landlords, legal systems, and advocacy groups, highlighting the diverse strategies employed to negotiate, resist, or inadvertently comply with eviction orders. These narratives underscore the need for urban sociology and urban planning to comprehensively understand tenant experiences in the eviction process and emphasize the importance of addressing housing justice beyond mere legal compliance. Through an institutional ethnographic-informed approach, this study uncovers patterns and themes within tenant narratives, offering valuable insights into the challenges and successes of those who have navigated the eviction process. It highlights the potential for organized resistance efforts, tenant advocacy, and tenant-landlord negotiations to challenge the status quo and contribute to equitable housing solutions. This presentation is a crucial contribution to urban sociology and urban planning, offering fresh perspectives on reimagining housing justice. By shedding light on the intricate experiences of tenants grappling with eviction, it responds to the urgent need for research that aligns with Dorothy Smiths IE approach, allowing us to critically examine the social and ruling relations that underlie housing inequalities. Through a deep exploration of various strategies encompassing compliance, negotiation, and resistance, this research not only enriches our understanding but also provides a foundation upon which urban planning practices can be re-envisioned. By incorporating tenant narratives and their invaluable insights, we have the potential to reshape our approaches to housing justice. These insights enable us to challenge the deep-seated systemic and historical disparities within contemporary capitalist societies and pave the way for radical collective futures.

This paper will be presented at the following session: