March Updates
Creating a Cohesive and Trusting Alternative in Housing
The Sky Without Limits Cooperative (SWL) demonstrates the potential for community-owned cooperatives to create better alternatives in the current Minneapolis housing system. Cooperative families have faced gross negligence and abuse at the hands of landlords, including Stephen Frenz, and state systems. In 2020, Cooperative members won SWL into the hands of a community steward, Land Bank Twin Cities, until they could buy it.
Alongside the work of the Finance Committee, Participation Committee, and Maintenance Committee, residents are now creating a cohesive and trusting community by intentionally bridging language, gender, and racial identities that are so often used to divide us. For example, on March 20th from 1-3pm, Cooperative members will come together to host a Community Cleanup Day.
The Cooperative buildings are currently being stewarded by the Land Bank Twin Cities. However, tenants want to truly own their homes so they have autonomy over community decisions. We are raising money for over 60 families to secure a permanently affordable housing cooperative by April 2023. Can you support SWL for true and long term affordability and self-determination?
Strong and Committed Leaders Envision a Pro-Tenant Minneapolis
Strong and committed tenant leaders from diverse campaigns continue to meet as part of the Seeds of Hope board. Organizers from the Tenant Unions campaign and tenant leaders formed Seeds of Hope to win strong rent stabilization and TOPA (Tenant Opportunity to Purchase) policies in Minneapolis. The board is currently planning educational events around rent stabilization and determining strategies to create a pro-tenant Minneapolis.
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. The residents feel happy and powerful given the organizing they participated in and for having found solutions to their demands. They are planning a celebration in the spring.
HavenBrook Tenants Call on a Meeting with HavenBrook Homes and Pretium Partners
In light of Attorney General Keith Ellison’s lawsuit against HavenBrook Homes LLC, tenants announced their vision for justice at a press conference held on Wednesday, February 16th in North Minneapolis. “I’m calling on HavenBrook Homes to meet with us tenants and fulfill our demands, to give us safe and dignified housing,” said Syvonne Perry.
Suncerray Mills explained, “My house is not just drafty. It feels like it’s been turned inside out…I would never advise anyone to rent from HavenBrook because of the way we’ve been treated.” Speaking directly to HavenBrook, she added, “We need you to step up. We need you to be accountable to what you’re doing to us and straighten it out. Not tomorrow, not next week, not next month, but right now! Today!”
Northside tenants and organizers, Shanika Henderson and Arianna Anderson shared their truth in a recent investigative piece about HavenBrook Homes with FOX 9.
Minneapolis City Council Must Answer to the Demands of Renters, Not Corporate Landlords
Minneapolis renters, landlords, and leaders with the Home To Stay Minneapolis coalition spoke out on Friday, February 25th inside City Hall. Speakers highlighted the urgent need for action from the Minneapolis City Council to shape the future of housing and our communities by including the voices of renters and local landlords in a Rent Stabilization Work Group. The Council has announced the plans for the work group, but so far has not announced when it will begin or who will serve on the group.
The coalition highlighted the need for Minneapolis City Council to answer to the demands of renters instead of corporate landlords such as HavenBrook Homes. One of the speakers was Brianna Lofton, who lives in a HavenBrook home in North Minneapolis. “I am a tenant of HavenBrook Homes and I have endured some of the most gruesome living situations,” said Lofton. “In the past I have wanted to renew my lease many times and sign a month to month, so it would be easier to move if needed. Unfortunately I was told if I do renew, the rent would be raised from $1449 to a market rate of $1840, all just because it was a month to month.”
Want to receive monthly updates in your inbox? Subscribe to our newsletter.