About Chemung County Tenants Association

Shawna France was born and raised in Horseheads, NY. She grew up with her parents being self employed property owners. Eventually her father became the first black broker in Horseheads NY. 

"My father was blind so I assisted sometimes with researching laws for his eviction cases. That's is how my love of law started. My advocacy started when I became a tenant that knew the law and saw how some landlords did not. "  

She holds degrees in Political Science, Math & Science, and Chemical Technology. As a lifelong resident of Chemung County she raised her sons and changed careers; traveling south for a number of years before returning to Chemung County to be closer to her grandson, sons, and family.

"I came home to a fast changing legal climate in New York State and our local area. Some of the laws directly affect tenants ability to maintain sustainable housing. In an area where the economics and technology are behind, stagnant and in most areas decreasing who speaks for the low income tenants or tenants living pay to pay? Tenants need to have a voice in these collective conversations and we need to ensure factual information is provided." 

That's what we aim to bring. To build a community for tenants by tenants where our collective voice is heard and valued.