On Wednesday, March 19, the Easthampton City Council passed a resolution calling for the repeal of the statewide rent control ban and in support of the pending bill to “allow cities and towns to stabilize rents and protect tenants.” Read the bill’s factsheet here. And read Easthampton’s Resolution Here.
This action was a direct result of tenants organizing after a new landlord imposed a 35-40% rent increase at Pleasant View Apartments. You can read about it in the Daily Hampshire Gazette.
And you can add your organization to the campaign for rent stabilization by signing on here.
The Resolution captures the reality of what so many tenants experience:
“…many Easthampton renters have reported to this Council that they have been victims of predatory rental market practices, which involved landlords exploiting tenants through unfair rental agreements, abrupt rent hikes, neglect of repairs, and unfair eviction tactics. All of these practices have led to financial hardship and housing instability for Easthampton’s renters, have left many of our long-term renters displaced, and have put some Easthampton renters in the position of choosing rent over food and utilities.”
Tenants are fighting back and speaking out, with support from our Network partners, especially Liz Plouffe, Easthampton’s social worker, and Springfield No One Leaves, and pro bono legal counsel.
And they won this resolution for change!
We are grateful for the support of the Easthampton City Council, Easthampton Mayor Nicole LaChapelle and State Representative Homar Gómez,
Our Network also had the honor of hearing directly from one tenant, Kate Zanetta, at our legislative meeting with our Hampshire/Franklin legislators. Please read Kate’s testimony here. It both inspires and mobilizes.
This bill to stabilize rents is a Network top priority (go here for all our legislative priorities).
Join the campaign by signing on your organization here.
Thank you to these courageous Easthampton tenants for leading the charge, and to the City of Easthampton for amplifying their voices, and for standing up for decent and affordable housing for all.
Let this resolution be the first of many across our region, and let’s pass this rent stabilization bill!
