The dramatic decrease in the availability of affordable housing in the District has pushed one local organization into action.

The D.C. Tenants Action Council — which promotes affordable housing, tenant rights, and rent control — has launched an online campaign to recruit supporters that can lobby the City Council on tenant rights and housing issues. Called the “Mobilization for D.C. Tenant Rights and Affordable Housing,” the campaign seeks 1,000 people willing to help at moment’s notice. The campaign also coincides with an October 11 hearing of the Council’s Committee on Consumer and Regulatory Affairs that will discuss tenant issues and feature the introduction of legislation sponsored by Council-member Jim Graham (D-Ward 1) concerning rent control and the rights of tenants to organize.

As DCist has reported, the issue of affordable housing will likely become a focal point of the 2006 mayoral campaign.