Dignified housing achievable through coops, says LTU

The DC Tenants Union held a meeting Saturday afternoon at the All Souls Unitarian Church on 16th Street NW in Washington, D.C. Visitors and union members exchanged stories about how increasing rent prices have affected them and what they must do to address landlord-tenant issues when the landlord tries to turn residents out or plans to sell the building.

DC Tenants Union is one of a handful of organizations representing tenant organizing and advocacy by tenants in the Washington DC area. Another organization, TENAC.org held a rally in April at Columbia Heights. Tenants and renters are decrying attempts by landlords to gentrify their building and avoid contractual obligations. Common complaints include poor maintenance; negligence of the property; coercing tenants to leave; picking on vulnerable residents such as those dependent on housing vouchers; and employing a variety of fear tactics.

The fight against skyrocketing housing prices is easily forgotten because those living in luxury apartments are often caught up in the fun, fast-paced, urban-consumerist life-style of which DC is trademark to, but where too often "hip" does not include "hop." Nevertheless, the fact that anyone can fall into the gap was evident because the hall was filled. It appeared that nearly 300 people were involved from organizers and volunteers, to union members and visitors.

Church members, Democratic Socialists of America, and Latino Economic Development Center also served as sponsors for the event according to DC.Curbed.com. Leaders from the Coalition for Nonprofit Housing & Economic Development (CNHED), an umbrella group of community organizations united in protecting economic and housing opportunities, were also present as facilitators. The over-arching goal is to help low- to moderate-income residents stay in their housing and formulate ways to create a city-wide tenants union.

Several tenant union leaders shared their story on how they fought to protect their homes rather than face eviction. Juanita of Ward 8 shared how people in her housing complex, a development with 394 units, established a legal agreement with guarantees on rent control, building a new community room, and joint residential ownership. Sylvia, fluent in Spanish and English, described how their tenant union just signed a note to buy their building, one that was previously slated for redevelopment in a highly gentrified neighborhood. Others shared how they were forced to organize due to persistent problems such as mice, mold, pests, broken appliances, and "invisible" laundry rooms. Speakers underscored how "the people, united, will never be defeated!"

To balance things out, DC Housing Authority also had a representative present. A native Washingtonian, the DCHA representative stated that she has worked for tenants housing since she was 13 years old.

"This tenants union is very necessary...Working for a moratorium on demolition of public housing...having diversity...and fighting disenfranchisement of poor people...are all very necessary," she stated.

The meeting was plentifully spirited, including sporadic chants ("Housing is a human right! That is why we have to fight!"), music, and break out groups. In various wards, particularly at Columbia Heights, many multifamily housing units are occupied by immigrant working families, and their safety and security are threatened not only from loss of housing and jobs, but also family breakups and deportation threats. And while many laws are in place notably through the Office of the Tenant Advocate, and codified Landlord-Tenant laws, actually being able to wade through all the available resources, setting up critical meetings, and demonstrating the united will to enact TOPAC requires much persistence and organization.

Despite the heatwave outdoors, the town hall meeting was a success: new ward officers and members were sworn in, and dates agreed on for upcoming meetings later this summer.

For older residents and those on a limited income, maintaining a fixed residency can make all the difference in the world. By collaborating with other groups including representatives in housing agencies, developers, community development corporations, small businesses, lenders, intermediaries, and service agencies, DC Tenants Union hopes to create a new citywide tenants movement, raise public awareness on the gulf between rich and poor, and grow support for more inclusive neighborly, loving, local communities.