🔊 🔊 We see it, We feel it, IX is Present!! LET’S GO!!!
Progress Residential Tenants Celebrate a BIG WIN!
After over two years of tenants organizing together, the Minneapolis City Council passed a comprehensive list of agreements entered into by Progress Residential, the manager for Front Yard Residential and previously known as HavenBrook Homes LLC. The agreements include but are not limited to timely repairs, clear and consistent communication, a yard maintenance plan, and no retaliation.
Sunnie Mills, a Progress Residential tenant, shared her experiences with the company. Referring to Progress Residential, she said, “I had water damages, mold, being told to put up plastic around my windows because it was so cold. They brought a little bitty space heater, so we had to stay in certain rooms to stay warm. We had to start using the stove.” She added, “I just ask that they be held accountable for not only the City of Minneapolis but for all of their rental properties across the portfolio.”
Coming Together, Moving Together, Growing Together
Creating a strong and cohesive cooperative requires a lot of legal and financial planning. Sky Without Limits (SWL) members and IX compas have been hard at work. Last year members came together to form an advisory board and began to plan a cooperative model. As they continue to plan the model they are preparing to finalize their pro-forma which will help them plan their fundraising goal for this year to help them get closer to the purchase of SWL buildings. In addition the Co-op team is looking for an architect to support with analyzing the building and moving towards further improvements.
Together We Can Achieve Anything
Last year tenants at 3100 Bloomington Ave had gone on a rent strike due to high rent increases, lack of repairs, and lack of safety. As a result of their efforts for safe and dignified housing tenants were able to celebrate a major win this month. The process for window replacements have started. Tenants will also receive a discount of $300 per month for a total of six months. Moving forward there will also be a new managing company. These changes were all due to the efforts of all the tenants. We couldn’t have done it without them.
Seeds of Hope is a group of tenant leaders that meet every two weeks to discuss the goals that still need to be achieved to push for the rent stabilization policy. This month they will be conducting door knocks every week to educate and talk about the rent stabilization policy. We invite people who are interested in meeting their neighbors and community members while learning more about the rent stabilization policy. Join us every Thursday at 6pm to knock on doors together!
The Voice of the Tenants is loud and Clear!!
In 2021, Minneapolis voters overwhelmingly supported the city to craft a rent stabilization policy. Later in the year a workgroup was created in which dozens of hours would be spent crafting a strong rent stabilization policy. In December the majority voted on a 3% cap for rent increases and no exemptions.
This month tenants from across Minneapolis came together for a press conference on January 12th to speak on the urgent need for the Minneapolis City Council to create a strong rent stabilization policy that will reflect the will of the voters as well as the Minneapolis Rent Stabilization Workgroup. After the press conference, tenants, voters, and homeowners were able to meet with their individual council members to discuss the importance of a strong rent stabilization policy.
Our Supporters are the BEST!
We are very grateful for all of your support. It is because of you that we are able to support tenants in their struggle for safe and dignified housing. It is important to us more than ever to help tenants stay in their homes. As we continue to look forward to this amazing 2023 I know that we will be able to accomplish many things together. We understand that not everyone is able to volunteer but there are other ways you can support the work we do here at IX. Donations are a great way to support our work since your donations go into helping us pay for staff salaries and benefits, transportation, actions, legal support, and office spaces where we hold many of our tenant meetings. We appreciate your support.
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