Today the Willows Tenant Union had an amazing speakout and press conference! Thank you to all the media outlets that came out or that promised to follow up with coverage later. Tenants spoke about the bats, rats, opossums, toxic mushrooms, pipes bursting, rent theft, and other oddities and horrific conditions that they’re faced with due to a lack of comprehensive interventions. To date, the tenants at the Willows AND Parc Fontaine through shared power and collective strength have: - forced the property management to resign and one manager got fired. - forced the owners to sell the property. Now the city needs to hold up their end of the bargain and put some teeth into the Healthy Homes program by putting some money in the Anti-Displacement fund. Healthy Homes workers are doing their best, but they need an anti-displacement fund to really put slumlords out of business. They also need to create more social housing so that tenants aren’t beholden to shady and shifty slumlords who take advantage of our tax dollars in the name of providing affordable housing. After the speakout, one of the tenants came up with the idea of marching in City Council chambers and demanding a meeting with their city council member. This netted a meeting immediately and happened in a conference room. We and the Willows Tenant Union look forward to meeting with Councilmember Thomas in one month. As Ms. Celine stated “We deserve better because we are human and deserve to be treated like humans with dignity and respect.” Sincerely, NORRA and Jane Place P.S. this day of action was a part of a national day of action with @ourrttc groups who organized for rent control, social housing, and to stomp out slumlords everywhere! Shoutout to our friends everywhere - Jane Place #homesforpeoplenotforprofit #nola #neworleans #prisonbreak #opp #newsoftheday #willowstenantunion #norentnola #HomesForAll #StopTheCuts #SocialHousingForAll #TaxTheRich (fb)

Join the Willows Tenant Union THIS Tuesday, May 20th at 12pm to 1pm for a speakout and press conference in front of City Hall. Tenants banded together and got their property manager dismissed due to concerns relating to repairs, finances, and various other “ethical concerns”. Now, they’re bringing their demands to the city. Tenants need anti-displacement funds and relocation assistance. They need a direct intervention from the top of city hall to deal with this situation. Food and beverages will be provided. Supporting organizations include us and @nolarentersrightsassembly . This is also in conjunction and a solidarity action with @ourcityrttc national day of action. We support tenants speaking out ALL over the country! #homesforpeoplenotforprofits #norentnola #rentersrights #louisiana #nola #neworleans #housingjustice #antidisplacement #cityhall #socialhousing #dignity #respect #willowstenantunion #neworleanseast (fb)