April Updates

A group stands outside, raising their arms and smiling at the camera. At the front is a man with a push broom.

From the Southside to the Northside, We’re In This Together

On March 20th, tenants and organizers throughout Minneapolis came together for a community cleanup at the Sky Without Limits Cooperative. Building a new vision of housing doesn’t just mean organizing against large landlords. It’s also about joining in joyful community to laugh, sing, and create deep relationships. Demonstrating the power of mutual aid, tenants, organizers, and neighbors swept sidewalks, picked up trash on the surrounding yards and boulevards, and had a good time. 

The Sky Without Limits Cooperative is looking for new members! This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to join a caring, intentional, and deeply connected community that is building a new vision for housing in Minneapolis. Please add your name to the wait list for 5 open apartments. 

HavenBrook Tenants Initiate a Future Where All Renters Belong

We need our justice system to protect renters, not corporate landlords like HavenBrook Homes! Some HavenBrook tenants are initiating their vision for justice by holding their rents in escrow accounts, asking for such items as repairs and monetary recompense from HavenBrook Homes. According to HOME Line MN and Law Help MN, when a landlord violates Minnesota or city laws around repairs and/or lease protections, a tenant can do a rent escrow action by paying their rent to the court instead of the landlord. 

We need you to join in solidarity at HavenBrook tenants’ trials against HavenBrook Homes. When we come together, we project our shared commitment to protecting tenants against corporate landlords like HavenBrook Homes. Hear HavenBrook tenant leader Brianna describe what she’s faced and how she’s advocating for a future where all tenants belong. 

Building a Just Housing System in Minneapolis

As shared last month, at 3500 Columbus Avenue, members of the Tenant Unions campaign organized to win repairs and a discount of $50 on their rent. At 3215 21st Avenue South, tenants won the following victories: repairs, exterminations, direct communication with their landlords, and no increase in rent. Given the success of the tenants at both of these buildings, organizers and tenant leaders with Tenant Unions are expanding their turf and their focus.

We Need a Strong Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Policy

Now more than ever, real estate speculators are gobbling up properties, targeting low-income, Black tenants. These cash-rich investor landlords can afford to pay all cash, outbidding would-be homebuyers and pushing tenants out of their homes with rent hikes.

That's why we need to join together and urge our City Councilmembers to pass a strong #Opportunity2PurchaseMPLS that will give more power to renters, create new avenues for homeownership, and stop displacement caused by corporate profiteering. Learn more: https://www.hjcmn.org/topa/

The Housing Justice League and the Sky Without Limits Cooperative are hosting a press conference featuring renters and allies alike who believe the time is NOW for a strong TOPA policy in Minneapolis. Join us on Friday, April 15 at 11am in person at 3116 S 22nd Ave in Minneapolis or watch live on Facebook here! 

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