June Updates
'We Are Humans. We Need Decent, Livable Conditions.'
On the two year angelversary of the murder of George Floyd, families, people of color, and immigrants at 3100 Bloomington joined together to withhold May rent from their apartment owner. As a reminder of the connections between police violence and housing, Karoline, a tenant of 3100 Bloomington stated, “We are humans. We need decent, livable conditions.”
Renters called on their apartment owner to replace security doors in the building (not just locks), to charge fair and respectful rent, to make necessary repairs, and to meet with renters to discuss how to ensure safety in their homes.
This work is part of the Tenant Unions campaign, which educates tenants on how to lead and organize within their buildings. Tenants have changed the collective conversation about what it means to rent within and outside Minneapolis. They testify, engage in electoral work, connect with the press, and collaboratively create pro-tenant policies. Most importantly, by learning about their rights, members of the campaign transform their vision and understanding of what it means to be a tenant.
Building Alleyways of Hope
The Sky Without Limits Cooperative was built on the dream of community, autonomy, self-determination, and networks of care. On June 5th, members and organizers filled a callejón - an alley - with picnic tables and gardens. Alleys often bring to mind images of despair, secrecy, harm, and alienation, yet this callejón will serve as a community gathering site that physically connects neighbors. It is a visual reminder of what is possible when we come together to immerse our hands in the soil.
The creation of the callejón is just one example of building a culture of autonomy, justice, and dignity. The Finance Committee, Participation Committee, and Maintenance Committee met to discuss their work. The Maintenance Committee has been incorporating needed changes in the building, the Finance Committee has been focusing on the Cooperative’s budget, and the Participation Committee has been upholding the community agreements created several months ago.
Tenants Go to Court Against HavenBrook Homes LLC
HavenBrook tenants are investing in their homes and community by upholding their right to repairs and reparations. As Tiki Cross, HavenBrook tenant, shared at a press conference held on May 19th at his home, “My kids haven’t lived here for one year…since I went into their room and a rat jumped off the bed.” This is why Tiki and six other HavenBrook renters have taken matters into their own hands and put their rent into escrow.
HavenBrook tenants have won reparations, the promise of repairs, and a new home by placing their rent into escrow. Yet they also allege that the City of Minneapolis has not done enough to protect them and their families. Shanika Henderson, a HavenBrook resident, said “We…want them to hold HavenBrook totally responsible for what tenants have had to endure.“
The Rent Stabilization Work Group Must Center the Voices of Tenants and Workers
It’s been a busy month! On May 23rd, the Home To Stay coalition held a press conference to call for a fair and effective rent stabilization work group while encouraging Minneapolis residents to submit applications to serve on the working group before the deadline.
In November, Minneapolis voters came together to say Yes to Question 3. By passing this ballot question, the majority of city voters across race, zip code and income made a clear mandate for a rent stabilization policy that helps address the housing crisis and protects Minneapolis families from displacement from relentless and unreasonable rent increases.
Now, the Minneapolis City Council must ensure that the working group that crafts this policy centers the voices of the most affected, especially tenants and residents of color, and puts forward a policy that reflects the will of the people.
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