Yes, It's Possible!

“Here we can find hope for the advancement of emancipatory housing struggles.”—Miguel A. Martínez, author of Squatters in the Capitalist City

“This handbook makes accessible what we all need in these dark times: An experience and knowledge of a successful strategy against rent extraction from our cities, a story of solidarity. The PAH has inspired many housing movements globally and this book helps to spread their message: Yes, it’s possible! Highly recommended for both movement researchers and activist.”—Dr. Lisa Vollmer, Leibniz Institute for Research on Society and Space

“The PAH has pioneered a strategy for organizing around the right to housing that has not only rocked the foundations of Spanish politics, but has also become an inspiration for housing and urban movements around the world. Drawing on many years of deep engagement and participation, João’s comprehensive and highly accessible book documents the PAH’s strategy for building the power of ordinary people to tackle Spain’s eviction crisis. But even more importantly, Yes, It’s Possible! tells the incredible story of how this strategy emerged and continues to evolve. Across years of experimentation, people from a range of political backgrounds came together to forge a new approach to people power that draws on existing traditions while trying something new. For those who are ready to follow the PAH’s advice to keep learning about making change rather than getting stuck in our ways, this book is an inspirational resource.”—Amanda Tattersall and Kurt Iveson, authors of People Power in Cities

“Yes, It’s Possible! is a unique book based on the phenomenal success of the PAH movement for housing justice in Spain.

João França is a journalist with a background in the social sciences who organized with the PAH. He has created a handbook that clearly documents the movement’s power as it engages participants to help themselves and others. Rather than offering outside assistance, the PAH energizes people who might otherwise see themselves as victims to strategize collectively regarding threatened evictions, banks, legal challenges, and political parties. Documenting the important lessons they have learned, this book is essential reading for community organizers.”—Ida Susser, Distinguished Professor of Anthropology at Hunter College and the CUNY Graduate Center, and author of The Yellow Vests and the Battle for Democracy

The Platform for People Affected by Mortgages (Plataforma de los Afectados por la Hipoteca–PAH) is a grassroots organization that was established in February 2009 in response to the 2008 financial crisis and subsequent housing crisis in central Barcelona. In 2013, PAH received the Premio Nacional de Derechos Humanos, a national award for human rights, and the European Citizens’ Prize.

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