Over 150 tenant representatives, housing activists and residents from around Washington, D.C. came together at All Souls Church in Columbia Heights on Saturday to discuss tenants’ problems and launch a new citywide tenant union.
A number of tenant leaders from the District’s eight wards delivered speeches at the D.C. Tenant Town Hall hosted by the Latino Economic Development Center (LEDC), DCist reported.
Among the participants was Ronnie Jackson, who previously fought a nine-year legal battle with his fellow residents against his landlord, after their building was put up for sale. Jackson later became the head of Waterside Towers Resident Association located in D.C.
He is now providing assistance for residents involved in organizing efforts related to similar tenant experiences.
“More and more minorities are being pushed away… We need to be unionized because chunk by chunk, place by place, ward by ward, gentrification is taking over,” Jackson said at the event, according to DCist.
Did you miss our Tenant Town Hall this past Saturday? Here is a great piece by @DCist recapping the event:
“The event, hosted by [@ledcmetro], drew activists, tenant leaders, and residents from across the District’s eight wards.” #dc #affordablehousing https://t.co/fF5YIdJdDL
— Latino Economic Development Center (@ledcmetro) July 23, 2019
The new group’s goals will be to work towards stronger housing rights for low-income groups that are at risk of displacement and help tenant association leaders mobilize more residents.
One of the most exciting and inspiring campaigns that @mdc_dsa is running is @StompSlumlords. Their latest move- helping to start a tenants union in DC!https://t.co/NHvTWXh7py
— Alex (@HownowKnowhow) July 23, 2019
LEDC says on its website that it “equips Latinos and other underserved Greater D.C. and Baltimore area residents with the skills and financial tools to create a better future for their families and communities.”
The center is dedicated to teach individuals “how to build their long-term financial security by buying and staying in their homes, taking control of decisions affecting their apartment buildings, and starting or expanding their small businesses.”
Positive step in securing #housingrights and preserving #affordablehousing in our city. I applaud!!! 👏🏽 “We’re In A Crisis” – Advocates Launch New Citywide Tenant Union https://t.co/3YHyplF3RA
— John Carlos Green (@JohnGreenDC) July 23, 2019