January Updates
A Powerful Fight for the Tenant Unions Campaign
Due to their committed fight, members of the Tenant Unions campaign have won many demands over the past couple of months. At 3500 Columbus Avenue, tenants won more repairs, exterminations, and renovations in December. Due to the organizing efforts and fight of the tenants at 3215 21st Avenue South, renters have seen improvements in repairs and exterminations of cockroaches and mice and continue meeting with their landlord.
Members of the Tenant Unions campaign also met with Council Member Jason Chavez of ward 9 (see picture above). They developed a relationship with Council Member Chavez by describing their wishes for the new City Council.
Leadership, Transparency, Autonomy, and Ownership
The Sky Without Limits Cooperative is in the process of creating three committees: maintenance, participation and membership, and finance. The committees ensure that members are part of the Cooperative’s creation, gaining skills around leadership and transparency while experiencing autonomy and ownership of the Cooperative. The tenants and organizers are currently developing the membership of each committee.
HavenBrook Tenants Speak Up!
HavenBrook tenants plan to meet with City Council Members LaTrisha Vetaw (ward 4) and Jeremiah Ellison (ward 5) to describe how the living conditions of their homes are affecting their families’ health and wellbeing.
On December 1st, HavenBrook tenants Shanika and Arianna also spoke at the Minnesota State Board of Investment (MSBI) meeting. “Myself, spouse, and my five children have been living with mice infestations, electrical issues, buckling floorboards, heat not working in all the rooms, and foundation issues,” said Arianna. She added, “Investors, I’m asking if you would reach out to Landmark Partners and Ares Company to enquire about the maintenance of the properties in Minneapolis before winter sets in. We are also asking that you not invest in Landmark until they adequately address the concerns of the thousands of single-family homes they own and rent to low-income people.” Landmark Partners and Ares Company invest in Pretium Partners, which owns HavenBrook Homes.
The Time is Now to Pass a Strong Rent Stabilization Policy
On Friday, January 7th, a delegation of renters and landlords with the Home To Stay Minneapolis coalition dropped off painted clocks at the offices of Mayor Jacob Frey and the newly inaugurated City Council to underscore the importance that passing a strong rent stabilization policy would have on renters during and after the pandemic.
Alibella, a tenant and member of IX, said through translation provided by Jennifer Arnold, “Now is the time to take action and not just speak words…The pandemic is putting us in a situation where we don’t always have the money to pay. We have to decide, are we going to pay our rent or are we going to pay for food for our children? It’s not fair that the rent would keep going up in the situation as it is now.”
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