This project developed out of my deep desire to do something that would matter as my thesis. My coursework and internships over the past couple of years made it clear to me that I am most passionate about community development, organizing, and advocacy. I am especially proud to have been part of a Virginia Ball Seminar that investigated the life stories of individuals living in and struggling to get out of poverty. During this semester my class worked closely with TEAMWork for Quality Living, and I was exposed to the breadth of work they do to improve lives. During my search for a topic, I called Molly Flodder, the Executive Director of TEAMWork, and she mentioned that a committee to develop a tenants association had just been created. She introduced me to Sherry McNett, the head of the committee, and we have been working together since.The final project includes the results of a survey given to tenants in McKinley neighborhood, case studies from which I have drawn the primary lessons and comparisons for Muncie, and a Strategic Plan based on the problems and strategies revealed by the other research. I initially intended to provide a legal framework for tenant's rights and how they should respond to problems, but instead I found two comprehensive and applicable books. I replaced the legal section of my thesis with a strategic plan in which I recommend the legal books I found. I am familiar with writing strategic plans because it is a common tool in my profession of urban planning. A strategic plan can guide the steps of a community while allowing the community to make their own decisions about priorities and how to accomplish each goal. The tenants' association may add to the list of goals, prioritize them, or alter them as they see fit. The primary purpose of that document is to focus the work of the association and give them a starting point for the steps they will take toward protecting tenants.